CPA Exam Registration Process? – A Step-by-Step Guide
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Many professional certifications are available for individuals wishing to pursue accounting or management as their ultimate career option. Getting advice to pursue multiple certifications from multiple places might confuse you. The most significant certificates in this regard are usually CMA USA, ACCA, and CA, which we will discuss here. You should be well versed with the possibilities of ACCA vs CMA vs CA. These top three accounting/management certifications are best for getting notable job roles and high-paying salaries.
Let’s discuss some amazing facts regarding the top accounting courses, i.e., ACCA vs CA vs CMA USA.
Before discussing ACCA vs CA, let us look at some amazing facts for both courses.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is one of the highly reputed official bodies in the accounting field, which administers the Certification of the same name – ACCA. Over the last few decades, the ACCA exam has garnered recognition all over the world. It is essential to note that ACCA exams are highly challenging. Thus, candidates must put in the effort and hard work to excel in the examination.
Here are some facts regarding ACCA. So, let us have a look at them!
Chartered Accountant (CA) has been India’s one of the most popular career choices in finance and accounting. CA is the most challenging degree, but you can boost your career significantly if you excel in it. A CA must manage the company’s finances by undertaking auditing, budgeting, taxation, and business strategies. A CA possesses in-depth knowledge and training in the accounting and finance fields.
Here are the top facts about CA.
It is one of the prestigious qualifications that are globally recognized. CMA USA can open wide doors of opportunities for candidates in terms of job prospects, salary, etc. Suppose you are planning to take up the CMA USA course. In that case, you can work in the company’s financial planning, thereby being involved in processes like forecasting, budgeting control, and reporting.
Before knowing the difference between ACCA vs CA, it is essential to understand the above facts.
Let us now look at some key points regarding these courses.
To know about ACCA vs CA – which is better, there are several factors one can look at.
See, you can take up ACCA if you wish to make your career abroad. CA is also a great option if you want to stay in the country. Both fields are related to accounting and finance. Thus, whichever course you take, decide whether to work abroad or stay in India.
Moreover, CA is one of the most demanding professions one can come across, and its exam is more challenging than ACCA. But excellent career prospects are why CA is preferred over ACCA.
If you are struggling to decide which you should prefer, then it is better to look at the difference between the two given in the following section. Have a look!
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding ACCA vs CA is their differences. We have created a table of ACCA vs CA for your reference. Take note, analyze, and finally decide which one to go for!
| Particulars | ACCA | CA |
| Full Form | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants | Chartered Accountant |
| Recognition | ACCA is recognized in over 180 countries across the globe, | CA is not internationally recognized. (only in India and some parts of UAE) |
| Exam structure | ACCA has 3 levels, i.e., Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional Level. | CA has three levels, i.e., Foundation, IPCC or Intermediate, and Final levels. |
| Fee Structure | Rs. 2-3 lakhs per annum | Rs. 1 lakh per annum |
| Major focus of the course | ACCA is primarily focused on:ReportingPerformance managementGlobal auditFinancial managementTaxationCommercial lawCorporate lawIFRS | CA is primarily focused on:Financial managementAuditingTaxationReportingCost ManagementExpertise in multiple commerce domainsIAS |
| Eligibility | Candidates should have passed the 12th class along with a bachelor’s degree in BBA, B.com, BMS, etc. | Candidates must have passed the 12th class with commerce as a background. |
| Tenure (Approx) | 2 years | 5 years |
| Total number of Papers | 13 papers | 20 papers |
| Articleship | There is no requirement for articleship for ACCA. But three years of experience is required by the candidates. | Candidates need to have an articleship for 2-3 years under a reputed CA. |
| Job Roles | CFOForensic AccountantAuditorTax specialist | AccountantCost AccountantTaxation ExpertsAccounting Manager |
After knowing about ACCA vs CA, let us compare another excellent accounting certification- CMA USA with CA.
Following is a table depicting the difference between CMA USA and CA. Have a look!
| Particulars | CMA USA | CA |
| Full Form | Certified Management Accountant | Chartered Accountant |
| Recognition | CMA is globally recognized in over 100 countries. | CA is not internationally recognized. |
| Exam Structure | CMA has two parts. Part 1: financial planning, performance, and analysis.Part 2: Strategic Financial Management. | CA has three levels, i.e., Foundation level, IPCC or Intermediate level, and Final level. |
| Fee | Rs. 1.3 lakhs per annum | Rs. 1 lakh per annum |
| Main focus | CMA is primarily focused on:Cost accountancyPerformance ManagementCost managementCorporate financeFinancial reportingOrganizational management | CA is primarily focused on:Financial managementAccountingTaxationLawAuditingFinance |
| Course duration | CMA USA is for 6-12 months. | CA is for five years. |
| Job Roles | One can work as a:Cost AccountantFinancial AnalystFinancial AdvisorInternal AuditorCost AuditorBusiness AnalystStrategic Manager | One can work as a:Internal AuditorFinancial AccountantAccounting ManagerTax ManagerStatutory Auditor |
Upon knowing the difference between ACCA vs CA and CMA vs CA, let us now discuss the last difference between ACCA and CMA.
Following is the difference between ACCA vs CMA. Have a look!
| Particulars | ACCA | CMA USA |
| Full Form | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants | Certified Management Accountant, USA. |
| Recognition | ACCA is recognized in over 180 countries. | CMA USA is globally recognized in more than 180 countries. |
| Exam Structure | ACCA has 3 levels, i.e., Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional Level. | CMA USA has two parts – Part 1 (financial planning, performance, and analysis) and Part 2 (Strategic Financial planning) |
| Main Focus | ACCA is mainly focused on:ReportingPerformance ManagementFinancial ManagementTaxationCommercial LawCorporate law | CMA USA is mainly focused on:Cost AccountingPlanningCost AuditingBusiness AnalysisStrategic ManagementManagement AccountingFinancial Accounting |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in BBA, BMS, or B.com. | Candidates must have an IMA membership, two years of work experience, and a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. |
| Course duration | 2-3 years | 6 months |
| Job Roles | AdvisorForensic AccountantAuditorTax specialist | Cost AccountantFinancial AnalystFinancial AdvisorInternal AuditorCost AuditorBusiness AnalystStrategic Manager |
We have listed the three major differences side by side – ACCA vs CA, CMA vs CA, and ACCA vs CMA. Let us now look at the salary prospects for them.
Now you must be wondering – who earns more, CA or ACCA?
As far as ACCA vs CA salary is concerned, it is essential to note that a CA earns slightly higher than an ACCA. The average salary of a CA is Rs. 6-7 lakhs per annum, whereas the average salary of an ACCA is Rs 5-6 Lakhs. However, the earnings might flip when an ACCA earns in the USA or Europe. Interestingly, an experienced CA and ACCA make higher, but the difference remains the same.
We have already talked about ACCA vs CMA in the above section.
But another thing to note here is that CMA USA and ACCA are two top-notch accounting qualifications many students have taken up over the last 10-15 years. Candidates intend to pursue US CMA and ACCA courses to boost their careers.
As far as the exemptions are concerned, it is essential to note that if a candidate is already an ACCA, then they don’t require a bachelor’s degree for CMA USA. In simpler terms, if a candidate has acquired the ACCA course after the 12th without a bachelor’s degree, they can still enroll in a CMA USA course as an ACCA member. Just make sure you fulfill the eligibility criteria for the CMA USA course.
To acquire this exemption, candidates must send an official letter confirming they are qualified ACCA members. This exemption has to be validated by the Institute of Management Accountants.
Yes, when comparing ACCA vs CA, the latter is more complicated. Considering the number of exams, passing criteria, years of effort, and course levels, we can clearly say that CA is an extensive and much harder course compared to ACCA.
Yes, ACCA is somewhat equivalent to CA. The only difference lies in the content of the course. However, it is also important to note that a CA degree is not recognized internationally, whereas ACCA is globally accredited. Also, for ACCA vs CA, the latter is heavily influenced by Indian law and other business regulations.
If you are interested in accounting and financing subjects and wish to create in India, then CA is a fantastic career choice. CA will give your career the necessary push, providing great job options and high-paid salaries.
ACCA is based on international accounting standards, making it a global professional qualification, ending the debate of ACCA vs CA for individuals who want to work abroad. By having the ACCA credential, candidates will get a chance to work with top employers, thereby acquiring valuable skills and knowledge from them.
It might be confusing for many professionals when choosing between the ACCA vs CMA USA. However, if you have acquired the CMA USA, it is worth going for the ACCA certification. Professionals are allowed and sometimes recommended to have a dual certification and it might help them more in their career compared to single Certification.
ACCA, CA, and CMA USA are three of the top professional certifications for a candidate wishing to have a career in accounting and finance. This article has covered the differences between ACCA vs CA, CA vs CMA, and ACCA vs CMA, along with various key points.
To gain these three certifications, candidates must crack the respective certification exams. It is essential to note that the certification mentioned above exams will be challenging; therefore, candidates can enroll in courses at the premiere institute like NorthStar Academy (NSA).
NSA provides candidates with exclusive study material, pre-recorded classes, and live sessions that help them prepare efficiently for the examination. They offer bundle discounts that make the course more budget-friendly. Also, candidates who sign up for the CMA USA, ACCA, or CA course get free demo classes to get the hang of the quality we provide.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now for these courses and make way for a brighter future in India and abroad.
