CA (Chartered Accountant) is the general title for a qualified accounting professional, while ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) is a specific designation for a CA who has passed ICAEW examinations and completed mandatory training. ACA holders are essentially CAs, often with 3+ years of mentored experience.
Chartered Accountants
Individual accountants will typically have ACA or FCA after their name. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), designated by the suffix letters CA. Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI). Designatory letters ACA or FCA.
The right qualification depends on your career ambitions: Choose ACCA if you want a globally recognised accounting qualification with career flexibility across industries and countries. Choose ACA if you're UK-based and aiming for senior roles in audit, accountancy, or corporate leadership.
ACA is short for Associate Chartered Accountant. It's a prestigious and in-demand level 7 qualification, equivalent to a Masters' degree. It typically takes three years to complete.
The ACA qualification is highly regarded for developing well-rounded finance professionals. It equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to lead in various business environments. Some ACA Benefits include flexible entry paths and 450 days of practical experience.
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.
The ACCA qualification is suited for aspiring accountants or entry- or mid-level professionals who want to expand their career horizons by acquiring useful accounting skills. Meanwhile, the CFA qualification suits experienced finance professionals who want to specialise in certain areas.
A chartered accountant qualification from ICAS is one of the most prestigious accountancy qualifications. More than 80% of FTSE 100 organisations employ ICAS chartered accountants.
The global average salary for a newly-qualified ACA in 2025 is £55,000 according to ICAEW data, with the average salary for members across all sectors standing at £107,000. For members working in industry the average global salary rises to £132,000.
Top Career Opportunities for Newly Qualified ACA
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.
Both ACCA and ACA have three course levels, but ACA is often considered more difficult due to its focus on private practice skills, with the strategic professional option in the ACCA having the lowest pass rates.
An ACA is a Chartered Accountant who has passed the CA course and carries a certificate of practice, which is of not more than 5 years. FCA is a more senior member of ICAI with over 5 years of experience in the field.
CA Qualification is Now Equivalent To PG Degree: UGC.
The benefits. ACA training creates leaders, creators and big thinkers who can look beyond the numbers and are equipped with the technical knowledge and commercial skills needed to work across all aspects of management, finance, and accounting.
The Audit and Assurance exam also saw a significant majority of students passing, with an 81.5% success rate.
Average ACA Qualification Salary in the UK is £45,000 annually. Entry-level roles start at £35,000, with experienced professionals earning up to £60,000 annually.
Training as an independent student. Studying as an ACA student independently means that you can start the ACA exams and Specialised Learning. You still need to complete the required professional skills and experience to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
The ACA qualification is a highly regarded professional accounting certification offered by ICAEW. In its current form, it combines three years of structured on-the-job learning with the successful completion of 15 exams.