CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) generally pays more than CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), as it is focused on high-earning investment management roles with median salaries often over $180,000. CIMA focuses on management accounting, with competitive pay for corporate finance roles.
Neither CFA nor CIMA is inherently "better"; they serve different career paths: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is superior for deep investment management, portfolio management, and financial analysis roles in global markets, focusing on asset valuation and markets, while CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) excels in strategic business, corporate finance, and management accounting, guiding business decisions for roles like CFO or Finance Director. Choose CFA for portfolio management, CIMA for corporate strategy; the best choice depends entirely on your career goals.
CFA charterholders often earn higher packages in investment-related positions, while ACCA professionals enjoy steady growth in accounting and corporate finance roles, especially within Big 4 firms. CFA professionals in India earn higher salaries due to their roles in investment and financial markets.
Yes, the Big 4 (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers) hire both CIMA and ACCA holders. But ACCA holders may stand a better chance or have a higher probability of being employed by the Big 4 because they are mainly auditing firms.
CIMA exams are more convenient and offer more opportunities for students. CFA exam fee is $2,550-$3,450, including exam fees of $940-$1,250 per level and a one-time registration fee of $350. The CFA exam demands substantial study time, with around 300 hours recommended for each level.
On average, allocate 15-20 hours per week for CFA Level 1 preparation. Plan for a longer overall preparation period, ideally around 5-6 months.
Who earns more, CA or CIMA? Both earn well. In India, a CA earns about ₹7–25 lakh in accounting and finance jobs. Globally, CIMA earns ₹8–40 lakh in leadership roles.
On average, Glassdoor suggests that Deloitte now pays its UK junior auditors the most, while EY pays the least. This is in line with previous figures from pay benchmarking firm Emolument, which suggested that KPMG and Deloitte are the most generous with their junior auditors, and that PwC and EY lagged behind.
CFA certification offers a promising career in portfolio management, stock research, investment strategy, financial consulting, and risk management. A CFA credential helps aspirants grow more quickly because it gives them access to the C-suite network.
However, the Hays Accountancy & Finance Salary Guide 2022 indicates that a CIMA-qualified professional can expect to earn between £34,000 and £50,000 per year in the UK. Similar to ACCA, with more experience and factors such as a more responsible job role, you can expect to earn much more.
The UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) has benchmarked the CFA Program and the CFA charter as comparable to a Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Master's Level 7.
In 2025/26, to be among the top 1% of UK earners, an annual income of at least £201,000 before taxes is required (based on HMRC tax year 2022-23 data, published March 2025). This elite group of approximately 340,000 individuals earns 13.3% of the UK's total income and pays 28.2% of all income tax.
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 location also plays a role in determining the earning potential of accountants.
Yes, it is possible to pass the CFA Level I Exam with self-study. However, most CFA members strongly suggest that you prepare with a CFA expert who can help guide you through the curriculum and keep you motivated along the way.
It takes three to four years to complete all three levels of the CFA Program. This takes into account the recommended study time of 300 hours per level.