ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is not officially considered a US CPA (Certified Public Accountant), but it is a globally recognized equivalent in terms of professional standing, skill set, and seniority, often referred to as a "Chartered Accountant" in Commonwealth countries. While both are high-level accounting credentials, they differ in regional focus—US CPA for US GAAP, and ACCA for international standards (IFRS).
While both ACCA and CPA are highly recognized certifications in the field of accounting, there are some key differences between them. Global recognition: ACCA is a globally recognized certification, while CPA is primarily recognized in the United States.
A CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant. A CPA is a statutory designation for qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniformed Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements.
- 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.
CPA is a course that is highly recognized in the USA, while ACCA is a globally regarded chartered accountancy course allowing you to practice CA in over 180 countries across the globe. These courses enhance the scope of career for students in accountancy abroad and allow them flexibility and diverse opportunities.
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.
CA professionals typically earn ₹6-8 lakhs annually at entry level, slightly ahead of ACCA holders at ₹5-7 lakhs. This reflects intensive articleship training and immediate applicability in India's regulatory environment.
Generally, CFA professionals in finance and investment roles may earn more, but ACCA professionals in accounting and finance management can also have competitive salaries.
The hardest accounting certification is often considered to be:
CPA Salaries for Freshers in India
An entry-level or fresher CPA earns around 6 lakhs per annum in India, i.e., about 50,000 rs per month. In metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, etc., the average salary can go as high as 13.8 Lakhs per annum, and can also vary from company to company.
Unfortunately, there is no quick route for ACCA members to obtain the US CPA. In order to obtain your US CPA qualification, you will need to sit for the CPA exam and pass the four-part exam.
The ACCA Salary in the USA: 2025 Insights
Experience: Entry-level ACCA professionals may earn around $60,000 to $70,000 annually, while those with over five years of experience can command salaries exceeding $100,000.
In this blog, we have addressed the most asked questions about the ACCA qualification like, can you finish ACCA in 2 years? On average, it takes two to three years to prepare for all 13 exam papers, but you may earn the qualification in 18 months if you focus on the major eight.
Generally, CA is considered tougher because of its very low pass rates and lengthy articleship requirement in India. ACCA has a more flexible exam structure, on-demand exam options for early levels, and modular progression.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the most recognized and prestigious accounting certification, especially in the U.S., serving as the "gold standard" for public accounting, leadership roles, auditing, and tax preparation, while the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) are highly respected for corporate and internal roles, and the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) is paramount in investment management.
There are various factors to consider when it comes to understanding the difficulty levels of ACCA vs CPA. Both examinations are challenging and need hard work and diligence to clear. While the average pass rate for ACCA is around 55%, for CPA, the percentage is around 40-50%.
The starting pay for a fresh ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) student in India is INR 5.5–11 lakhs per year while the senior positions can offer INR 19–30 lakhs per year.
In terms of Indian currency, the cost of ACCA in India can be in the range of INR 20,000 – INR 2,50,000. The average total cost of a US CPA in India comes to INR 3.5-4 Lakh. The overall pass rate for CPA is in the range of 50-60% for all 4 papers. ACCA offers learning support through its approved learning programs.
The UK is one of the most favorable locations for ACCA professionals due to its established financial sector and since ACCAs have their headquarters in the United Kingdom. Freshers: Starting salaries for new graduates typically range from £20,000 to £30,000 (approx. ₹20 to ₹30 lakhs).
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.
ACCA professionals are employed in some of the busiest sectors such as: Big Four Accounting Firms (PwC, EY, KPMG, Deloitte): The companies are regularly interested in hiring ACCA qualified audits, assurance, and advisory services.