The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) program is generally considered more difficult than the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification, primarily due to lower pass rates, deeper technical complexity in investment analysis, and a more rigid, three-level exam structure. CFA requires over 300+ hours of study per level (1,000-1,200 total hours), while ACCA offers more flexibility in its 13-paper structure.
- 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.
Both CA and CFA are challenging in their own right, but CA is often considered tougher, particularly due to its lower passing rates and comprehensive syllabus that covers accounting, law, taxation, and audit.
The best choice between ACCA and MBA or ACCA, MBA, and CFA depends entirely on your personal career goals and professional interests. If you're aiming for a solid mix of business management and financial expertise, the ACCA and MBA combination is a great option.
Difficulty Level: CA is considered one of the toughest professional courses due to its low pass rates and challenging exams.
CA professionals typically earn ₹6-8 lakhs annually at entry level, slightly ahead of ACCA holders at ₹5-7 lakhs. This reflects intensive articleship training and immediate applicability in India's regulatory environment.
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.
If you aspire to be employed by JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, or an international consulting behemoth like EY, the CFA certification provides that competitive advantage.
CFA can be worth pursuing after ACCA if career goals shift toward investment analysis, portfolio management, or capital markets. In the ACCA vs CFA context, ACCA builds a strong base in financial reporting and governance, while CFA adds market-facing depth.
If you're looking for international accounting jobs, ACCA is your best bet. If you're aiming for a top-tier finance career in investing, CFA is the way to go. And if you want to grow in corporate finance or switch your path, go for CMA. Think about your strengths, what you enjoy and where you want to work.
FCCA stands for Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a senior-level designation above ACCA.
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.
Average Age of CFA Candidates
Although many candidates are in their late twenties or early thirties, the Program has a wide age range. Many begin at 35, 40, or even 50. Some of the most thoughtful, determined candidates are the ones who start later. Experience is not a burden.
The 10th and 90th percentiles were removed from the report because we have added scale scores. Scale scores add more precision to your results interpretation. The 10th and 90th percentiles only provide a comparison of your result against other candidates in the same administration.
In spite of all odds, average students pass CFA exams regularly by: Employing study schedules with an emphasis on key subjects. Focusing on ethics and key notions, which have high exam weighting. Utilising quality preparation materials and practice exams.
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.
While ACCA has a wider global reach as compared to CA, the salary one can achieve as an ACCA has more growth. CA, on the other hand, has a great demand in India.
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.