ACCA is recognized in the USA, particularly in multinational corporations and large accounting firms (Big 4), but it is not a substitute for the U.S. CPA, which is the standard for public practice. While ACCA provides global mobility, it is less widely known than CPA, with salaries ranging from $45,000–$85,000+ for related roles, requiring candidates to often supplement it with a local CPA.
The ACCA qualification is a powerful credential for finance professionals seeking global career opportunities. While its relevance in the USA might not rival the CPA, it offers significant value in roles requiring international expertise, particularly in MNCs and global finance hubs.
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.
Both CA and ACCA are esteemed qualifications with distinct focuses and benefits. While CA is a perfect fit for those interested in accounting and auditing in India, ACCA is meant for finance enthusiasts with a global perspective.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Europe and North America
The ACCA qualification is widely accepted, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $120,000, depending on experience and industry.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
“A CPA is the gold standard for accountants, and many jobs will require CPA certification,” says Dr. Tracie Miller, chair of Franklin University's accounting programs.
FCCA stands for Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a senior-level designation above ACCA.
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.
ACCA Disadvantages No One Talks About
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.
ACCA pay in India varies based on years of experience and the most sought, from INR 6.4 LPA to INR 16.7 LPA. In India, the pay for a CPA professional can vary between INR 5.9 LPA (less than one year of experience) to INR 24 LPA (ten to nineteen years of expertise).
The hardest accounting certification is often considered to be:
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 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).
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.
Does Big 4 hire ACCA in India? Yes, all Big 4 firms actively hire ACCA-qualified or part-qualified professionals, especially for audit, tax, advisory, and risk functions.
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.
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.