ACCA Vs CA: Which is Better for Your Career?

If you are confused between ACCA vs CA and which course will be better for your career, then you have come to the right page. Students who are from the accounting or finance background often get confused about which course to choose that will help them get jobs with a good pay package. ACCA is globally recognised and is known as the “Association of Certified Chartered Accountants” which is a popular organisation that awards the prestigious 'Certified Chartered Accountant' certification to students. While CA is very popular in India and students from a commerce background tend to choose the CA course to get into reputed organisations. The ACCA course is slowly becoming popular among Indian students.

To make it easier for students to choose the course that will enhance their career opportunities, we have curated this article with detailed information on both ACCA and CA. Students have to go through this article and choose between ACCA vs CA.

ACCA Vs CA: Major Highlights

Go through the highlights and choose between ACCA vs CA. Here are the basic differences between ACCA and CA courses that you must be aware of before making a final selection.

Also Read:How to Become a Chartered Accountant?

ACCA Vs CA: Eligibility Criteria

If you are confused about which course between ACCA vs CA will be the right choice for you, check out the eligibility criteria and see for which course you are eligible. ACCA and CA both are quite popular among students who want to make a career in finance or accounting. We have discussed the eligibility criteria for both courses in detail here. 

CA Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who want to study CA need to follow either of the two routes, the CA Foundation Route or the CA Direct Route. We have mentioned the criteria for both routes along with the requirements to appear for the CA Final exam. 

CA Foundation

Students willing to appear for the CA Foundation exam should have scored at least 50% aggregate marks in their class 12 Commerce stream or at least 55% of the aggregate marks in the Science stream. The candidates can only appear for the Foundation exam if they have registered with the Board of Studies and have studied for four months mandatorily. However, candidates are eligible to register for the CA Foundation exam after passing class 10th from a recognized board of education in India or an equivalent exam as recognized by the Central Government of India.

CA Intermediate

Candidates who are confused between ACCA vs CA, can choose to appear for the CA intermediate exam after they have completed their Class 12 or graduation. Check out the requirements below to appear for the CA Intermediate level exam through direct entry or entrance exam.

• To appear for the CA Intermediate level, the student must pass the CA Foundation exam with a minimum of 40% in each subject and an overall percentage score of 50% minimum. 
• Graduates who have studied Commerce must receive 55% overall marks in their graduation or post-graduation. Students from a Non-Commerce background must obtain an overall score of 60% or above to directly apply for the CA Intermediate course level.
• Apart from these eligibility requirements, the students who have passed the ICWAI/ ICSI Intermediate level are also eligible to apply directly for the CA Intermediate level.

CA Final

If you want to get yourself enrolled in the last stage of the CA course, then you should have cleared both groups of the CA Intermediate exam with 40% marks in each subject and 50% overall marks at the Intermediate level. The students, however, have to mandatorily complete the articleship training for at least 2 to 2.5 years during the CA Intermediate level. 

The CA aspirants should know that ICAI has made some provisions in 25E, 25F and 28F of the CA regulations that permit candidates of class 10 to get admission through a provisional route.

ACCA Eligibility Criteria

For candidates who want to take up the ACCA certification course, we have provided the eligibility criteria for this course:

• The candidate has to be at least 18 years of age.
• Have relevant work experience in accounting for a minimum of 2 years.
• Should have secured at least 65% in their Class 12 in Maths/ Accounts and English and 50% minimum marks in other subjects.

Aspiring candidates should also have one of the following:

• A recognized degree or diploma in accounting or a related field.
• A-levels or equivalent qualifications in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, with a C grade or equivalent.
• Pass marks in the ACCA Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) exams.
• Relevant accounting experience and qualifications that are deemed to be equivalent to the above.
• Those who do not have a recognised degree in accounting have to take the ACCA Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) exams. The FIA exams are a suite of three exams that cover the basic knowledge and skills of accounting.

ACCA Vs CA: Which is Better for a Career?

Both the courses have their own characteristics which make them one of the most preferred professional courses in the field of finance and accounting. However, when it comes to career opportunities in India Vs abroad, both the courses can be placed at different levels. Now let’s find out which of ACCA and CA is better for a career in India and which is better for a career in abroad.

ACCA Vs CA - Which is Better for a Career in India?

CA is one of the high yielding and most recognised courses in India. Students through CA are taught and specialised in the tax and financial systems of India. Because of this, employers or companies in India usually look for CA candidates rather than ACCA. In simple words, a CA certificate holder has a larger share of employment in the market than an ACCA certificate holder. Another reason behind this is the signing authority. ACCA.s in India are not authorised to sign the audit report but a practising CA is authorised to do so.

However, many multinational companies have started to settle abroad to cater to their clients. These international corporations settled in India look for an ACCA rather than a CA. This allows ACCA certificate holders to grab jobs at companies like JP, PwC, KPMG, etc.

CA Vs ACCA - Which is Better for a Career Abroad?

ACCA is a globally recognised course and is accepted in 180 countries around the world. One who holds an ACCA certificate can work in companies abroad. An ACCA certificate holder has the knowledge of the CA course along with additional knowledge of UK Laws, FAAP and IFRS. So, if you are interested in making a career abroad, ACCA would be a better option for you.

ACCA Vs CA: Course Fee

Individuals who are confused between ACCA vs CA can check out the course fee below to understand which course will be suitable for them. 

ACCA Course Fee

We have discussed here the ACCA course fee in India and globally. 

ACCA Course Fee in India

Also Read:How Does a B.Com Degree Help in Becoming a Certified Chartered Accountant?

ACCA Course Fee Globally

CA Course Fee

The aspirants can compare the course fees between ACCA vs CA to understand which course they can apply for.

CA Foundation Course Fee

CA Intermediate Course Fee

CA Final Course Fee

ACCA Vs CA: Job Prospects

After completing ACCA or CA, students will look for jobs that will pay them well. If you are confused between ACCA vs CA and which course will help you get better job opportunities, then you should take a look at the opportunities below:

ACCA Vs CA: Salary

Individuals who are confused between ACCA vs CA can check out the salary structure after completing these courses to understand which one will be better for them.

ACCA Job Profile wise Salary Structure

Below is a table indicating approximate salary ranges for different job profiles in India for individuals with an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification. Please note that these figures are indicative and can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific organization:

CA Job Profile wise Salary Structure

The job profiles that require higher levels of expertise, experience, and responsibility tend to offer higher salaries for CA graduates. In addition to the job profile, other factors such as the industry, company, job location and the individual's experience can also impact the salary of an individual. 

ACCA Vs CA: Which has more Advantages?

Considering all aspects of these courses mentioned above, here we have drawn a conclusion for which course is more advantageous between ACCA vs CA.

• Flexibility with Aritcleship: In this category, the ACCA programme wins. One of the many advantages of ACCA over CA is that you are allowed to pursue your articleship while writing exams. In that way, you can finish your course in 3 - 4 years. But in the case of the CA course, you can only begin to pursue your compulsory articleship after clearing the second level of CA - IPCC.

• Initial Salary: Since the CA programme focuses on the Indian tax and financial system, companies here usually look for a CA more than for an ACCA. So, the initial salary offered to Chartered Accountants is usually higher than that of ACCA. The average initial salary of a CA in India is up to INR 8 LPA or above and for an ACCA, it is up to INR 5.7 LPA.

• Duration: Again, if you are interested in completing the course in a short duration of time and get employed, ACCA is the course for you. The minimum time required to complete CA is about 4.5 to 5 years. ACCA, on the other hand, can be completed in three years along with the articleship, only if you manage to strike a balance between writing exams and articleship.

• Recognition: As we have mentioned earlier, ACCA is a globally-recognised programme. Which means that candidates who have completed the course are eligible to apply in 180 different countries. CA, on the other hand, has a monopoly in India as it specialises in Indian systems. So depending on where you want to work, you can choose one of these two courses.

• Course Expenses: Since ACCA is offered by the UK, it is a bit more expensive in comparison to the CA programme. CA costs around less than or equal to INR 1 lakh, whereas ACCA costs between INR 2 lakhs and INR 3 lakhs. So you can choose a course as per your budget.

• Level of Difficulty: Whether you find a course tough or not is completely a subjective question. The answer to this question varies for different people. But according to the data collected through surveys, CA course is considered to be harder to pass than the ACCA programme. Now the case may be different for you. So, you must go through the topics taught in each of the courses before making a decision.

ACCA Vs CA: Which will be Beneficial?

Candidates who are confused between ACCA vs CA should understand which course will be beneficial for them. Read below which course will be beneficial for you:

• Those who wish to practice their degree in India or plan to start their own business should pursue Chartered Accountancy whereas, candidates who want to grow their profession outside India should pursue ACCA. 
• ACCA and CA are both prestigious accounting courses that offer diverse career paths. ACCA is an international credential recognized in multiple countries, while CA is a national qualification.
• In today's circumstances, CA beats ACCA from every angle, from industry demand to scope to reputation to profitability and everything that candidates should know.
• In terms of difficulty, the ACCA course is known for its flexible exam format and global acclaim. The CA course, on the other hand, is regarded as more rigorous and demanding due to its detailed syllabus and strict examination structure.
• The syllabus for ACCA covers a wide range of subjects, providing a thorough understanding of accounting principles and practices. The CA syllabus, on the other hand, is more focused on Indian accounting and taxation regulations.
• Internship or articleship is an essential part of both the ACCA and CA courses. ACCA requires a minimum of three years of practical experience, whereas CA mandates a three-year articleship program.
• In conclusion, the choice between ACCA and CA depends on the goals and preferences of the candidates. ACCA offers global recognition and flexibility, making it suitable for those interested in international careers. Whereas, CA provides a strong foundation in Indian accounting regulations and is favoured for careers in India’s finance industry.

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