These words have different pronunciations and different meanings. Accept means "to receive," "to agree with," "to say yes to." As a verb, except means "to omit," "to exempt," "to exclude"; as a preposition, it means "other than." Except should not be used as a conjunction: "He won't go except I tell him to" is substandard. Some correct sentences follow: "He did not accept the proposal." "Tod was excepted from the list of those invited." "Everyone except me knew the right answer."
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.