Chartered Accountancy (CA - India) is generally considered significantly tougher than ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) due to its extremely low pass rates (10–20%), rigid exam structure, and mandatory 3-year articleship. CA requires roughly 6,500 hours of study over 4-5 years, while ACCA offers more flexibility, 4 exams per year, and is typically completed in 2-3 years.
Generally, CA is considered tougher because of its very low pass rates and lengthy articleship requirement in India. ACCA has a more flexible exam structure, on-demand exam options for early levels, and modular progression.
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.
While they are both excellent courses recognised internationally, they differ in scope and work profiles. ACCA is the internationally recognisable alternative to completing CA in India. Both ACCA and CFA have similar course lengths, i.e., 24 to 36 months, and similar fresher salaries, i.e., 4 to 6 lakhs per annum.
Choosing between CA and ACCA depends on your career goals. If you are looking for a specialised role in taxation, audit, or compliance, CA might be the better fit. On the other hand, if you want to be a well-rounded finance professional with global opportunities, ACCA could be the right path.
The CA program is far more thorough and rigorous since it includes a wide variety of disciplines such as accounting, taxation, law, auditing, and finance. The CFA program, on the other hand, is highly specialized, focusing on investment analysis, portfolio management, and ethical standards.
Both CA and ACCA are esteemed qualifications with distinct focuses and benefits. While CA is a perfect fit for those interested in accounting and auditing in India, ACCA is meant for finance enthusiasts with a global perspective.
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.
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.
Pursuing ACCA after CA: Is it beneficial? If someone is considering what to pursue after CA to strengthen their financial career, ACCA is a highly valuable choice. It is especially beneficial for professionals aiming to work with multinational firms or explore opportunities abroad.
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.
Hardest ACCA Papers Based on Syllabus Complexity
Cost of Pursuing
The CA programme is more affordable. The entire journey costs around INR 2–3 lakhs, depending on coaching and the number of attempts. ACCA, being an international qualification, comes with higher expenses. It can cost between INR 2.5–4 lakhs, including registration, exam fees, and classes.
Failing is really common. In fact, it's more common than a pass if you look at the pass rates. Some students keep failing ACCA exams over and over again. Unfortunately, if you fail once, you're likely to fail twice when it comes to the ACCA.
ACCA Disadvantages No One Talks About
The question keeps coming up: “With automation and AI advancing so fast, will accountants even be needed in the future?” According to ACCA, the answer is clear, AI won't replace accountants, but accountants who know how to work with AI will replace those who don't.
Is ACCA Worth It 2025? Yes. ACCA offers global recognition, high salaries in India, flexible exams, and diverse career opportunities. Though it has some limitations like cost and no audit rights in India, its scope and demand remain strong for finance professionals in 2025.
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.