The Ethics & Professional Skills Module
You can't become a qualified ACCA member without it. Here's everything you need to know - what it is, when to do it, and how to approach it.
What is the EPSM?
The Ethics and Professional Skills Module is an online, self-paced module that every ACCA student must complete to qualify. It is not an exam - it is a series of interactive scenarios and exercises that develop the professional skills and ethical judgement you need alongside your technical knowledge.
Think of it this way: your exams prove you know the technical stuff. The EPSM proves you can apply it professionally and ethically. Employers value both equally.
To complete
Self-paced, fit it around your studies
No extra cost
Included in your ACCA subscription
To qualify
No EPSM = no ACCA membership
When should you do it?
You can start at any point, but there's a sweet spot. Here's our recommendation based on where you are in your ACCA journey.
-
Applied Knowledge (BT, MA, FA) Too early - focus on your exams -
Applied Skills (early) (LW, PM, TX) Good time to start thinking about it -
Applied Skills (mid) (FR, AA, FM) Sweet spot - start your EPSM here -
Strategic Professional (SBL, SBR + options) Still fine, but do not leave it any later -
All exams passed (-) Must complete before you can qualify
What's in it?
The EPSM has six units. Each one focuses on a different professional skill. Here is what to expect from each and how to approach it.
Explores the fundamental ethical principles that underpin the accounting profession - integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality, and professional behaviour. You'll work through real-world dilemmas where these principles conflict and learn how to navigate them.
What to expect: Interactive scenarios where you have to decide what to do when, for example, your manager asks you to adjust figures, or a client pressures you to overlook an issue. There are no trick questions - it's about reasoning through the right approach.
aCOWtancy tip: Don't overthink it. The module isn't trying to catch you out. It's testing whether you can identify the ethical issue, consider who's affected, and choose a professional response. Think about what a reasonable, ethical professional would do.
Focuses on the soft skills that make you effective in the workplace - time management, resilience, self-awareness, and continuous learning. These are the skills that separate technically competent accountants from genuinely valuable professionals.
What to expect: Reflective exercises and scenario-based questions about managing workload, dealing with setbacks, and developing professionally. More practical and less theoretical than you might expect.
aCOWtancy tip: Draw on your own work experience when answering. The module works best when you engage with it genuinely rather than trying to guess the right answer. Your real-world perspective is an asset here.
Covers the ability to think critically, challenge assumptions, and embrace new ways of working. In a profession increasingly shaped by AI, automation, and data analytics, this module prepares you to add value beyond number-crunching.
What to expect: Scenarios about questioning data, evaluating new technologies, and challenging the status quo in a professional context. You'll also explore how innovation intersects with risk and ethics.
aCOWtancy tip: Professional scepticism doesn't mean being negative - it means asking "how do we know this is right?" and "what could go wrong?". Frame your answers around constructive challenge, not cynicism.
Tests your understanding of the broader business environment - how organisations create value, the impact of external factors, and how financial professionals contribute to strategic decision-making.
What to expect: Business scenarios where you need to consider market conditions, stakeholder interests, competitive pressures, and the commercial implications of decisions. Think like a business adviser, not just a number-cruncher.
aCOWtancy tip: If you've studied SBL or are working in a commercial environment, you'll find this module very natural. If not, read the business pages for a few weeks before starting - it helps frame your thinking.
Develops your ability to influence, communicate clearly, and lead others - whether you're managing a team, presenting to a board, or simply writing a clear email to a colleague.
What to expect: Exercises on structuring communications, adapting your style to different audiences, giving and receiving feedback, and leading through change. Practical and directly applicable to your day job.
aCOWtancy tip: Strong communication is the single biggest differentiator in senior finance roles. Take this module seriously even if it feels soft - the skills it builds are the ones that get you promoted.
Explores the frameworks that organisations use to manage risk, ensure accountability, and maintain control. Covers corporate governance principles, risk management processes, and the role of internal controls.
What to expect: Scenario-based questions about governance failures, risk identification, and the design of controls. You'll be asked to evaluate whether governance arrangements are adequate and what improvements could be made.
aCOWtancy tip: If you've studied AA (Audit and Assurance) or work in a regulated environment, much of this will feel familiar. Focus on applying principles to the specific scenario rather than reciting textbook definitions.
How to get started
Starting the EPSM takes about 2 minutes. Here is exactly what to do.
Go to myACCA (myacca.accaglobal.com) and sign in with your ACCA credentials.
Look for the Ethics and Professional Skills Module in your qualification progress or learning section. It should be visible alongside your exam entries.
Open the module and begin with Unit 1: Ethics and Professionalism. You can save your progress and return at any time - there is no deadline once you have started.
Aim for 1-2 units per week. Each unit takes roughly 2-3 hours. You do not need to complete them in order, but it makes sense to start with ethics as it underpins everything else.
Once you have completed all six units and passed the assessment, your myACCA profile will update to show EPSM as complete.
FAQ
The questions every ACCA student asks about the EPSM - answered plainly.
Most students complete it in 15-20 hours spread over a few weeks. It is self-paced, so you can fit it around your exam study and work commitments. Do not try to cram it into a single weekend - the reflective exercises work better when you take your time.
It is not an exam in the traditional sense - there is no time pressure and no single right answer for most questions. It tests your professional judgement and reasoning. If you engage with it properly, it is very achievable. The pass rate is high.
Yes, but it is uncommon if you take it seriously. You need to demonstrate genuine engagement with the ethical and professional scenarios. Students who rush through clicking random answers can fail. Students who read the scenarios and think about their responses pass comfortably.
No. EPSM is included in your ACCA annual subscription and accessed through myACCA.
Yes, absolutely - and we recommend it. You can start the EPSM at any point during your studies. The best time is during the Applied Skills level when you have enough professional context to engage meaningfully with the scenarios.
You can't qualify as an ACCA member until the EPSM is complete. This means you've done the hard part (passing the exams) but can't use the letters after your name until you finish what is essentially a much easier module. Don't let this be you.
No - everything you need is within the module itself on the myACCA portal. There is no textbook to buy and no external preparation required. Your real-world work experience and common sense are the best preparation.
Real talk: why students put it off
Let's be honest. Most students delay the EPSM because it doesn't feel as urgent as their next exam. It doesn't have a sitting date, there's no ticking clock, and it's easy to tell yourself "I'll do it later."
But here's what happens: you pass all 13 exams, you're celebrating, you tell your employer you're now qualified, and then you realise you can't actually call yourself ACCA until you complete a module you've been putting off for three years. That's an anticlimactic way to end a journey that took so much effort.
Do it now. It takes less time than studying for a single exam, it costs nothing, and you'll thank yourself later. Get it done and move on.