Chartered Accountancy (CA) is generally considered significantly harder than ACCA due to its extremely low pass rates ( 4 % − 15 % 4 % − 1 5 % ), a vast, unpredictable syllabus, and a rigid exam structure that often requires re-sitting entire groups. ACCA (approx. 40 % − 50 % + 4 0 % − 5 0 % + pass rates) is more flexible, offering quarterly exams and paper-wise passing.
ACCA is more widely recognized globally, especially in the UK, Europe, Middle East, and parts of Asia. CA India is respected abroad but often requires additional local exams or recognition. ACCA is the better choice if you're planning to work internationally.
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.
It is no surprise that the CA course is commonly considered to be harder than ACCA, considering the number of years, the number of papers, course levels, and the versatility of both courses.
- 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.
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 ACCA is as tricky as you make it.
Indeed, with such low pass rates, the ACCA is really hard? The short answer is no. The ACCA course material isn't easy, sure. It's professional accounting – it's not meant to be easy.
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.
After your ACCA professional, you can take up the CA final and for both the qualification, three years of work experience can be counted and you are there at your final leap. Positive mindset and good mental health are essential to help you attain your dream.
Remember, ACCA isn't impossible. It's challenging, but with the right approach from day one, you can absolutely clear your papers on the first attempt. Thousands of students do it every quarter.
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.
AI can take care of repetitive tasks, but the real value lies in judgment, ethics, strategy, and decision-making, areas where human accountants will always be irreplaceable. That's why qualifications like ACCA are shaping future-ready professionals.
In terms of difficulty, ACCA is more difficult to complete than accounting degree as it incorporates the difficulty levels of a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree into one qualification.
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.
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.
Chartered Accountant vs ACCA, both are equally challenging accounting courses, with ACCA being more extensive and self-guided, and CA being more country-specific and structured. But the choice is based on individual career goals, learning preferences, and professional aspirations, rather than perceived difficulty.
ACCA Disadvantages No One Talks About
Most Difficult ACCA Subjects (with Pass Rates)
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.
Yes, an average student can pass ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) with the right mentorship, effective exam preparation techniques & discipline. While ACCA exams can be challenging, they are designed to assess applied knowledge and practical skills.
Make sure you are familiar with the exam structure, syllabus, regulations, etc. Plan your preparation - set achievable targets for each day. Make sure you understand the key points, concepts and models. Look at the questions from the previous exams.