ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is often considered better than a local CA (Chartered Accountant) qualification due to its global recognition in over 180 countries, faster completion time (2–3 years), and greater flexibility. It focuses on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), making it ideal for international roles and MNCs, with higher passing rates and four exam sessions per year.
If you wish to build a career in India and specialize in taxation, auditing, or accounting, then CA is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you want global exposure and the flexibility to work in various sectors, ACCA might be the better option.
The right qualification really can make your career, and in this respect, ACCA stands out for reasons that make it an outstanding choice.
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.
Pursuing ACCA after CA can significantly enhance the career prospects of Indian CAs. By pursuing the ACCA qualification, CAs can acquire a global perspective on accounting and finance, which increases their employability in MNCs and international organizations.
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.
CA and ACCA are two independent bodies, and you can take up the exam anytime, side by side according to your convenience.
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.
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.
ACCA Disadvantages No One Talks About
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.
The demand for ACCA professionals continues to surge as companies recognize the value of team members who understand global accounting standards and international finance practices.
The starting pay for a fresh ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) student in India is INR 5.5–11 lakhs per year while the senior positions can offer INR 19–30 lakhs per year.
ACCA has a high number of female students due to the flexible study options, the global recognition of the qualification, and because the organisation takes the issue of gender equality and women's empowerment seriously.
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.
If you're passionate about finance and dream of working in leading companies across the world, ACCA will give you the edge you need to stand out in the competitive job market. So yes, ACCA is absolutely worth it in 2025—and the earlier you start, the faster you can reap the rewards of this prestigious qualification.
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.
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.
Just based on passing percentage ACCA has a better passing rate than CA. The main difference between CA and ACCA is that ACCA is recognized in 180 Countries, which gives you a wider and better career prospect and helps you get global job opportunities.
Yes you do get ACA after 5 years of post membership experience of ACCA.
Is ACCA harder than CA? 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.
An ACCA Member is someone who has completed all the academic and practical requirements of ACCA qualification, including the relevant work experience and approval of membership application. ACCA members are considered fully qualified professionals in the finance and accounting sector.
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.
Exemptions for Chartered Accountants (CA)
As a CA student, you can avail upto 9 exemptions out of total 13 papers in ACCA . On the basis of cleared CA Inter level, you can get upto 5 exemptions out of Total 13 papers in ACCA.