The CFA program typically takes 2.5 to 4 years to complete after ACCA, even though your accounting background helps with financial reporting sections. While the three levels can technically be passed in 18 months, most working professionals require 3-4 years to balance the recommended 300+ hours of study per level.
It takes three to four years to complete all three levels of the CFA Program. This takes into account the recommended study time of 300 hours per level. To become a member and use the CFA Charterholder designation, you also need at least 4,000 hours of relevant work experience, completed in a minimum of 36 months.
Just keep in mind that you'll ideally want a few years' working experience before moving onto levels like these. Yes, you can do CFA after ACCA!
- Is ACCA more difficult than CFA? No, the CFA qualification tends to be considered slightly more difficult than ACCA - but this is to some extent a subjective matter, differing from person to person. Many people don't make it through the three levels of CFA because of the time required to finish the course.
You can pursue both ACCA and CFA together or doing one course at a time, this will enhance your CV even more. However, if you equally like Accounting and Finance and want to pursue only one course between ACCA and CFA, I will suggest you to go for CFA, as it has a slightly better reputation than ACCA.
Generally, CFA professionals in finance and investment roles may earn more, but ACCA professionals in accounting and finance management can also have competitive salaries.
All Big 4 accountancy firms – Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG – are active recruiters of ACCA-affiliated accountants. Choice often depends on your interest area: audit, consulting, tax, or advisory.
The best choice between ACCA and MBA or ACCA, MBA, and CFA depends entirely on your personal career goals and professional interests. If you're aiming for a solid mix of business management and financial expertise, the ACCA and MBA combination is a great option.
FCCA stands for Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a senior-level designation above ACCA.
Does JPMorgan hire ACCA? JP Morgan hires ACCA candidates, and many ACCA members work in their finance, risk, and reporting teams. Positions in controllership, financial analysis, regulatory reporting, and risk operations often welcome applicants with accounting qualifications.
Three months can be enough time, but typically it takes a candidate at least six months to prepare for the CFA Level 2 exam.
Having the financial expertise and deeper business understanding, ACCA professionals make transitions to CEO roles. As in every position in the accounting career, strategic thinking is inevitably important and in addition, emphasises on ethical factors in preparing members for top leadership positions.
CFA can be worth pursuing after ACCA if career goals shift toward investment analysis, portfolio management, or capital markets. In the ACCA vs CFA context, ACCA builds a strong base in financial reporting and governance, while CFA adds market-facing depth.
No, studying for any CFA exam in less than 6 months will not give you enough time to adequately prepare unless you have a relevant background in the curriculum. According to CFA Institute, candidates study on average 348 hours for the Level I exam, 364 hours for the Level II exam, and 365 hours for the Level III exam.
Average Age of CFA Candidates
Although many candidates are in their late twenties or early thirties, the Program has a wide age range. Many begin at 35, 40, or even 50. Some of the most thoughtful, determined candidates are the ones who start later. Experience is not a burden.
Absolutely! Whilst difficult to some extent, through strategic preparation, extreme discipline, and correct use of resources, even average students can clear it. It is indeed taxing but worth every ounce of effort, with the international CFA certification and a recognised career option.
If you aspire to be employed by JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, or an international consulting behemoth like EY, the CFA certification provides that competitive advantage.
Some of the best courses to pursue after ACCA for career advancement are CIMA, CFA, ACA, MBA, Master's in accounting and finance, FRM, DipIFR, Taxation qualifications, PMP, Data analytics and business intelligence courses, etc.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) plans to discontinue remote examinations from March 2026, reported the Financial Times. The move will mean most candidates must return to in-person exam centres, as the organisation responds to increasing instances of exam misconduct.
Individuals who describe themselves as Chartered Certified Accountants must be members of ACCA and if they carry out public practice engagements, must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising certificate, carrying liability insurance and submitting to inspections.