Archive · 31 Dec 2025
ACCA Ends Online Exams Over AI Cheating
The ACCA, a big organization for accountants, is stopping online exams because people are using AI to cheat.
Starting in March 2026, students will have to take exams in person.
This change affects over 500,000 students worldwide.
The ACCA says that AI cheating has become too advanced for online safeguards to handle.
They also mentioned that in-person exams aren't perfect, but they offer better oversight.
Along with this change, the ACCA is updating its courses to include more about AI, blockchain, and data science.
This is because these technologies are becoming important in accounting.
The ACCA's decision comes as many big accounting firms have faced penalties for cheating scandals.
ACCA will end online exams starting March 2026 due to AI-driven cheating concerns.
Over 500,000 students worldwide will be affected by this change.
The ACCA believes physical exam centers offer better oversight than remote formats.
The organization is updating its curriculum to focus on AI, blockchain, and data science.
Major accounting firms like EY have faced significant penalties for exam cheating in recent years.
- Who
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- What
- Ending online exams due to AI cheating concerns
- When
- Beginning March 2026
- Where
- Globally, affecting over 500,000 students
- Why
- To maintain exam integrity and combat sophisticated AI-driven cheating methods
- Organization
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Effective Date
- March 2026
- Number of Students Affected
- Over 500,000
- Current Members
- 257,900
- Reason for Change
- AI-driven cheating concerns
- Curriculum Update
- First major update in a decade, focusing on AI, blockchain, and data science
- High-Profile Fine
- EY paid $100 million in 2022 for exam cheating
