Neither CIMA nor ACCA is universally "easier"; rather, they are challenging in different ways based on subject matter and exam structure. CIMA is generally considered more difficult to progress through due to strict, sequential case study exams, whereas ACCA can feel harder later on due to its highly technical, comprehensive nature.
For example, ACCA-qualified accountants can expect to earn between £30,000 to £60,000 per year. While CIMA qualified accountants can expect to earn between £35,000 to £70,000 per year.
The decision of whether to study CIMA or ACCA is likely to be based on your long-term career ambitions, as each qualification allows you to specialise in different areas of accounting. Both courses take about the same amount of time to complete and are advanced accounting qualifications.
Both CIMA and ACCA are two popular qualifications for aspiring accountants. While both offer well-renowned teachings that open up incredible career prospects in accountancy, there are some key differences between the two. CIMA has set modules that you are required to complete before qualifying.
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 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.
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.
Which qualification is harder, CIMA or ACCA? The CIMA qualification is more demanding, as it does not let you move forward until you pass one set of exams, compared with ACCA which allows you to study towards multiple sets of exams simultaneously.
The CIMA Professional Qualification will now be titled the CGMA Professional Qualification. Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA and Chief Executive — Management Accounting describes the change as 'opening doors to new opportunities'.
Qualifications. In terms of qualifications, a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or a related field is a minimum requirement. Many times, employers may prefer candidates with an MBA or professional credentials like ACCA or CIMA.
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.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
ACCA is a widely recognised and respected accountancy qualification. Founded in 1904, ACCA has a long history of providing top-quality training and education to aspiring accountants across the globe.
Anyone can study CIMA, whether you're new to business and finance or an experienced professional. Increase your chances of career success by studying with CIMA to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
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If you have a Bachelors's and/or Masters's degree in finance and accounting or similar, the material will be more familiar. But that doesn't necessarily mean CIMA will be easier, especially if you have exemptions and don't revise earlier material in depth.
It is widely accepted in industries where management accounting is crucial. Global Employability: CIMA has a global reach, particularly strong in the UK and other Commonwealth nations such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Malaysia.
ACCA vs CIMA: Key Differences
The ACCA qualification will be more focused around technical accounting knowledge enabling the skills needed to work internationally for companies who use International Financial Reporting Standards to report company financial activities to third parties.
The structured CIMA pathway consists of four levels—Certificate, Operational, Management, and Strategic—covering finance, risk management, performance strategy, and business leadership across three pillars: Enterprise, Performance, and Finance.
In 2022, the CIMA qualification was officially renamed the CIMA CGMA qualification (Chartered Global Management Accountant).
CIMA have a particularly close relationship with AAT and successful completion of this course at technician level will gain exemptions from all five CIMA Foundation level subjects. ACCA students wishing to transfer to the CIMA syllabus can be awarded exemptions on a paper-by-paper basis.
ACCA vs CA
Plus ACCA is recognized in 180 countries, providing you with a wider and better career possibility as well as global job chances. CA course is widely regarded as more difficult than the ACCA course, given the number of years, papers, course levels, and diversity of both courses.
6 Tips to Pass CIMA Fast
ACCA is the abbreviation for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, while FCCA's full form is Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant. Both of these are some of the most well-known accounting and finance qualifications globally.
Countries where ACCA members can gain this right include the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UAE. However, it usually involves obtaining a local practising certificate, an audit qualification, and meeting specific local experience requirements.
ACCA alone is usually not enough. It must be supported by relevant work experience, applied skills, and role-specific preparation. ACCA students in India commonly face: Role ambiguity: Uncertainty between accounting, audit, finance operations, or reporting roles.