Indian Chartered Accountancy (CA) is generally considered more difficult than ACCA due to a significantly lower pass percentage ( 4 -- 12 % 4 - - 1 2 % ), fewer exam attempts per year, and a more rigid, comprehensive, and vast syllabus. While ACCA is challenging with a focus on practical application and IFRS, its flexible, paper-wise structure and higher pass rates ( 40 -- 50 % 4 0 - - 5 0 % ) make it more accessible.
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. But, this is a completely subjective topic, and the results can differ from case to case.
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.
Pursuing ACCA after CA: Is it beneficial? If someone is considering what to pursue after CA to strengthen their financial career, ACCA is a highly valuable choice. It is especially beneficial for professionals aiming to work with multinational firms or explore opportunities abroad.
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.
Is ACCA Higher Than CA? ACCA and CA are equivalent in terms of professional standing, each offering unique advantages: ACCA: Provides global recognition, making it suitable for international careers.
The demand for ACCA professionals continues to surge as companies recognize the value of team members who understand global accounting standards and international finance practices.
ACCA Disadvantages No One Talks About
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.
Is ACCA Worth It 2025? Yes. ACCA offers global recognition, high salaries in India, flexible exams, and diverse career opportunities. Though it has some limitations like cost and no audit rights in India, its scope and demand remain strong for finance professionals in 2025.
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.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $109,000 and as low as $34,000, the majority of Acca Accountant salaries currently range between $53,500 (25th percentile) to $78,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $95,000 annually across the United States.
Cost of Pursuing
The CA programme is more affordable. The entire journey costs around INR 2–3 lakhs, depending on coaching and the number of attempts. ACCA, being an international qualification, comes with higher expenses. It can cost between INR 2.5–4 lakhs, including registration, exam fees, and classes.
Every student is different, but the ACCA recommends an average of 150 hours of study per paper. In total, you're looking at around 900 hours of study per year for three years while holding down a full-time job. Even if you're very familiar with accounting, studying for the ACCA under those conditions is difficult.
ACCA is the most globally recognized, accepted in more than 180 countries. CPA is well-recognized in the U.S. and its subsidiaries, while CA holds recognition predominantly within India.
Hardest ACCA Papers Based on Syllabus Complexity
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.
CA and ACCA are two independent bodies, and you can take up the exam anytime, side by side according to your convenience.
Yes you do get ACA after 5 years of post membership experience of ACCA.
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.
The typical duration for ACCA is 2–3 years, depending on exemptions, study pace, and exam planning. Class 12 students may take 3–3.5 years, while CA Inter and commerce graduates complete it faster.
The question keeps coming up: “With automation and AI advancing so fast, will accountants even be needed in the future?” According to ACCA, the answer is clear, AI won't replace accountants, but accountants who know how to work with AI will replace those who don't.
Toronto and Ontario: As the financial heart of Canada, Toronto offers some of the highest salaries for ACCA professionals, often exceeding the national average. Salaries here can range from CAD 50,000 for entry-level roles to over CAD 120,000 for senior positions.