As of early 2026, the average annual salary for ACCA-qualified professionals in the United States ranges from approximately $70,000 to $150,000, heavily influenced by experience, location, and industry. Entry-level roles start around $50,000–$70,000, while senior positions like Financial Controllers or CFOs often exceed $200,000 annually.
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).
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $171,000 and as low as $11,500, the majority of Acca salaries currently range between $40,500 (25th percentile) to $83,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $118,000 annually across the United States.
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.
- 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.
10 Richest Chartered Accountants in India
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.
How do I obtain a US CPA? 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.
Newly qualified ACCA professionals earn between £30,000 - £45,000, while senior accountants and finance managers can earn upwards of £60,000 - £80,000.
Despite the CPA being more commonly recognized, ACCA-qualified professionals are finding increasing opportunities in the U.S. market, particularly in multinational corporations (MNCs), consulting firms, and industries with a global footprint.
First, the US CPA has fewer sections (4 exam sections vs 13 papers for the ACCA Qualification), but they are all hard. In fact, the US CPA pass rate hovers around 45-55%. Likewise, the ACCA estimates their mean pass rate is about 55%. However, CPA candidates can benefit from studying with a review course.
On average, fresh CPA professionals in India can expect salaries starting from ₹8-12 LPA, while experienced CPAs in managerial or leadership roles earn anywhere between ₹20-40 LPA depending on their industry and expertise.
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.
Like any professional qualification, the ACCA is a big-time commitment, especially if you're working. It demands sacrifice. Sometimes you'll be tired, frustrated, and struggle to balance different areas of your life.
ACCA Salary Trends in the USA: 2025 Overview
The average annual salary for an ACCA-qualified professional ranges between $70,000 and $150,000, depending on experience, industry, and location.
Many find pursuing both an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification enables them to offer a wider range of accounting and advisory services.
The hardest accounting certification is often considered to be:
CPA can be completed within 12–18 months across 4 exams, making it a concise and career-focused program. ACCA spans 2–3 years with 13 papers, offering flexibility for students balancing academics or work. Both require discipline but open significant international opportunities once completed.
An 800K salary job typically refers to high-paying executive, specialist, or entrepreneurial roles in industries like finance, medicine, technology, or law. These positions often require significant experience, advanced degrees, or exceptional expertise in a niche field.