ACA is generally considered more difficult and rigorous than ACCA, primarily due to its intense, mandatory 450-day training contract, more technical exam focus (especially in Audit and Tax), and higher prestige within UK-based "Big 4" firms. ACCA is often more flexible, globally recognized in 180+ countries, and allows for self-paced study.
ACCA has lower pass rates than ACA because the study modes are different. Most ACCA applicants are either outside of the UK or in industry, which means there is less exposure to the wide range of skills you need to understand the exam content.
Difficulty Level: CA is considered one of the toughest professional courses due to its low pass rates and challenging exams.
Although both certifications require practical experience, the ACCA allows students to balance the coursework with their professional obligations, but the ACA requires a training agreement with an ICAEW-authorised training employer before enrollment.
ACA is more technical and harder than ACCA which is more management focused than audit. ACCA is also recognized in many countries but the absolute Gold Standard of accounting bodies are the CPA and ACA. That said, ACCA still isn't a piece of cake. It's just focused differently than ACA is.
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.
ACA is typically for a number of the larger practices and is a very technical qualification. Some say this is the hardest qualification out of CIMA, ACA, and ACCA.
The ACA is a structured pathway to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
Average Salary of an ACCA in India
5.5 – 11 lakhs p.a and for senior roles, it is ₨. 19-30 lakhs per annum. The average salary of an ACCA member in India is: Entry level: ₹7.05 lakhs per year.
Career Aspirations:
ACCA in Pakistan might be a better option if your goal is to work in a multinational setting with the possibility of international mobility. Conversely, CA can provide a more focused strategy if your goals are to succeed in the local business environment.
ACCA has a high number of female students due to the flexible study options, the global recognition of the qualification, and because the organisation takes the issue of gender equality and women's empowerment seriously.
Students usually fail an exam because they do not have the necessary knowledge OR they have poor exam technique OR a combination of both – the first step to success in studying for your retake is to understand the reason you failed.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
ACCA is a widely recognised and respected accountancy qualification. Founded in 1904, ACCA has a long history of providing top-quality training and education to aspiring accountants across the globe.
The ACA is comparable to a UK Master's degree or a postgraduate diploma. UK NARIC (the UK government's agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills) recently completed an independent review of the academic level of ICAEW CFAB and the ACA.
At the end of your apprenticeship. Once all elements of the apprenticeship have been successfully completed, you will qualify as a Level 7 Accountancy Professional. Then, once all ACA requirements have been completed, you will become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and will be able to use 'ACA' after your name.
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.
It is no surprise that the CA course is commonly considered to be harder than ACCA, considering the number of years, the number of papers, course levels, and the versatility of both courses.
No study leave
So as you can see, the most difficult aspect of studying the ACA wasn't the content of the exams themselves (although some of them do have challenging concepts), it was the amount of content to learn and the environment in which you learn it.
The ACA comprises of 15 exams split over three levels: the Certificate level, Professional level and the Advanced level.
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.
- 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.
Boasting thousands of job postings within the USA, ACCA Careers should be your first step towards finding employment in the USA. Visit ACCA Careers. A local resource, AccountingFly can be a great secondary resource along with ACCA Careers. Visit AccountingFly.