Our Story

Built by an educator who changed
Caribbean ACCA education

ACCA Smart™ was created by Danelle Lezama, FCCA — the Senior Lecturer who led COSTAATT’s curriculum development and ACCA accreditation to achieve the Caribbean’s first 9 ACCA exemptions for students, and has spent 20 years helping them qualify faster and more affordably.

Meet the Founder

Danelle Lezama, FCCA

Chief Academic Officer & Co-Founder, ACCA Smart™

For over two decades, I watched brilliant accounting students struggle with the same problem: they didn’t know how to maximise their ACCA exemptions. They’d complete a degree, discover they’d missed opportunities, and feel frustrated starting over.

In 2016, I changed that. I led curriculum development at COSTAATT to secure the Caribbean’s first 7 ACCA exemptions. Students were ecstatic. But I knew we could do better.

One year later, we achieved 9 exemptions — the first institution in the Caribbean to reach this milestone. Students who would have spent 6–8 years qualifying could now do it in 4 years, saving thousands of dollars and years of their lives.

There was one problem: only COSTAATT students had access to this knowledge. Students at UWI, SBCS, and other institutions were still struggling in the dark. That’s when I realised — this knowledge needs to be accessible to everyone.

ACCA Smart™ is my answer. It’s the platform I wish had existed when I started teaching. It combines my 20 years of expertise with AI technology to give every Caribbean student personalised guidance — no matter where they study.

“Every student deserves to know their optimal path to ACCA qualification. No one should waste time or money because they didn’t have the right guidance.” — Danelle Lezama, FCCA

Professional Background

  • Current: Senior Lecturer in Accounting, COSTAATT (2011–Present)
  • Former: Senior Associate & GTS Supervisor, PricewaterhouseCoopers T&T (2002–2010)
  • Qualifications: Fellow of ACCA (FCCA) · ICATT Member · Microsoft Certified Professional · T&T National Scholar
  • Expertise: Audit & Assurance · Financial Reporting · Management Accounting · Curriculum Development · Caribbean ACCA Examiner
  • Other: Musician (guitarist/bassist) · Graphic Artist · Technology Enthusiast
In Her Own Words

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe that accounting is not a subject to be memorised — it is a language for understanding how businesses, economies, and financial decisions work.

My role as an educator is not simply to deliver content. It is to help students develop confidence, critical thinking skills, and professional judgment that will serve them throughout their careers.

Every learner enters the classroom with different experiences, strengths, and challenges. For this reason, I focus on making complex concepts accessible through clear explanations, real-world examples, guided practice, and continuous feedback. I strive to create an environment where students feel supported while also being challenged to reach higher standards of performance.

I place particular emphasis on helping students understand the “why” behind accounting principles rather than relying on rote memorisation. When students understand the logic behind a concept, they become better problem-solvers, stronger professionals, and more adaptable lifelong learners.

Above all, I believe education should empower people to create opportunities for themselves and others. Whether a student is pursuing ACCA, a degree, a professional certification, or entrepreneurial goals, my objective is to help them build the knowledge, discipline, and confidence needed to succeed.

Danelle Lezama, FCCA

20 Years Teaching Experience
9 Max ACCA Exemptions
500+ Students Taught
4yr To Qualify (vs 6–8)
Track Record

Proven Results

Milestones that prove our commitment to student success.

2016
First in Caribbean

7 ACCA Exemptions Secured

Led curriculum development at COSTAATT to achieve the Caribbean’s first 7 ACCA exemptions, saving students thousands in exam fees and years of study time.

2017
Historic Milestone

9 ACCA Exemptions Achieved

Broke the Caribbean record by securing 9 exemptions for the COSTAATT BA Accounting programme — a feat unmatched by any other Caribbean institution at the time.

2021
Re-Accreditation

9 Exemptions Maintained

Successfully re-accredited COSTAATT with 9 exemptions through ACCA’s rigorous review process, ensuring continued excellence for new cohorts of students.

2025
Innovation

ACCA Smart™ Launched

20 years of expertise brought to every Caribbean student through AI-powered guidance, personalised pathways, and the first Caribbean-built ACCA qualification platform.

Our Purpose

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

To democratise access to ACCA qualification guidance by providing AI-powered, expert-backed tools that help every Caribbean student maximise exemptions, optimise study pathways, and achieve qualification faster and more affordably.

Our Vision

To become the definitive platform for ACCA qualification across the Caribbean and beyond — where every aspiring accountant has access to world-class guidance from enrolment through employment.

Our Values

Student Success First. Transparency. Academic Excellence. Innovation with Purpose. Caribbean Pride. Empowerment through Education.

Our Approach

Independent. By design.

ACCA Smart™ is an independent exam-support community. We don’t represent any single college or university — our goal is helping anyone pursuing ACCA succeed, wherever they’re studying.

What Makes Us Different

Why Students Trust ACCA Smart™

Academic Authority

Built by an educator with 20+ years teaching ACCA — not tech entrepreneurs who don’t understand accounting education.

Proven Track Record

Caribbean’s first 9 exemptions. 500+ students taught. Real results, not promises.

AI + Human Expertise

Powerful AI trained on Danelle’s knowledge, with access to human mentorship when you need it most.

Caribbean-First

Designed for Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and the wider Caribbean — not a generic global platform.

Transparent Pricing

Start free, upgrade when ready. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. No hidden fees.

Student-First Philosophy

Every feature designed to help you qualify faster, save money, and launch your accounting career successfully.

Ready to fast-track your ACCA journey?

Join the platform built by the educator who changed Caribbean ACCA education.

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