Chartered Accountancy (CA), particularly in India, is generally considered harder than ACCA due to significantly lower pass rates (often 4-5% to 10-20% for CA vs. 40-55% for ACCA), a more rigid exam structure requiring group passes, and a vast, complex syllabus. CA requires more time (4-5 years) with mandatory, rigid articleship, while ACCA is more flexible, permitting subject-wise, quarterly, or computer-based exams.
Which course is harder, CA or ACCA? CA is generally considered tougher due to very low pass rates and a mandatory, lengthy full-time articleship.
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.
I ve heard tha CA is hard and it requires 14 hr of study per day and is in demand un India. On the other hand ACCA is competetively easy bus has less job security. It is in demand in 180 countries. On paper ACCA looks like the best option but still majority of people are doing CA .
Use your ACCA membership to become a CA. If you're a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) who gained membership through a professional pathway program you may be eligible to apply for CA ANZ membership. The pathway to CA ANZ membership for an ACCA member is straightforward.
Initial Salary Advantage:
CA professionals typically earn ₹6-8 lakhs annually at entry level, slightly ahead of ACCA holders at ₹5-7 lakhs.
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 hardest accounting certification is often considered to be:
It's subjective, but generally, Indian CA is considered tougher due to its extensive, multi-level structure, extremely low pass rates (around 5%), and heavy content load with long, intensive exams, whereas the US CPA offers a more flexible, modular system with four shorter exams (50-55% pass rate) focusing on breadth, making it seem more manageable and faster to complete, although still challenging. CA requires longer commitment (4-5 years) with deeper dives into Indian GAAP, while CPA (US) is quicker (around 1 year) and globally recognized, testing US GAAP/IFRS and business concepts.
Chartered Accountancy is one of the most prestigious and financially rewarding careers. The CA course duration is around 4.5 to 5 years, including training and articleship. It offers a scope for growth in management, auditing, accounting, and consulting.
Choosing between CA and ACCA depends on your career goals. If you are looking for a specialised role in taxation, audit, or compliance, CA might be the better fit. On the other hand, if you want to be a well-rounded finance professional with global opportunities, ACCA could be the right path.
So, is CA still worth it in 2025? Absolutely. The world of finance is evolving, and CAs are evolving with it. If you're passionate about finance, willing to embrace change, and ready to put in the hard work, then the CA designation can be your passport to a successful and fulfilling career.
Each year, around 8–12% of candidates who appear for both CA Final groups in a single attempt pass both successfully, according to the most recent ICAI result data (2024 session). Over the last decade, the CA pass percentage has generally fluctuated between 5% and 20% for each group and attempt.
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.
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.
- 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.
Comparison between CA and CPA
It is difficult to determine which of these professions offers a higher salary, as the salary of a CA or CPA can vary greatly based on several factors. However, in general, CAs tend to earn slightly more than CPAs in India.
CA Final is the last and the most difficult CA Course in which you have to study hard to score good marks. CA Final is believed to be the toughest in CA Course because of its vast syllabus. Yes, the CA Final syllabus is vast, and to clear the CA Final exams, students have to start preparation from Day 1.
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.
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.
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.
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.