ACCA vs CMA: What’s Easier, What Pays More, and What’s Right for You?

ACCA vs CMA (US), the two most compared accounting qualifications.

There are so many accounting courses available for commerce students in the market, but ACCA and CMA are highly compared because both offer global recognition, strong career opportunities, and a clear professional pathway. 

Students often compare both side-by-side to understand which one aligns better with their long-term goals. In this blog, let us see the difference between ACCA and CMA in a simple, clear, and practical way, so you can decide which qualification suits your career path.

What is ACCA

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a professional body for accountants recognised globally. The qualification opens doors to jobs internationally, focusing on building your practical, real-world skills in auditing, taxation, financial management, and more.

The ACCA course duration is approximately 3 years, depending on the pace of your learning and the frequency of stepping up the ladder by passing exams. 

As an ACCA member, you can expect a highly competitive salary package in the industry as opposed to your peers. 

ACCA Course Eligibility Criteria

It is a qualification with the fewest prerequisites to be fulfilled by candidates. Anyone interested in accounting can pursue it; otherwise, the ACCA course eligibility criteria for you are listed below,

• 10th Pass Out
• 12th Pass Out from any stream
• ACCA after Graduation & Post Graduation 
• CA Intermediate
• CA, CMA (5+ Years Experience)

The ACCA eligibility is open to every student aspiring to build a career in finance and accounting with flexible entry points based on prior academic background, qualifications, and experience.

Why Choose the ACCA Course

The various reasons to choose the ACCA course are as follows:

• A globally recognised and respected qualification that allows you to work anywhere without any geographical restrictions.
• With the ACCA, you will be enrolled in one of the premier accountancy bodies that is acknowledged and accepted globally.  
• The completion of nine ACCA exams and submission of a research project will grant you a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.  
• You can obtain the MSc in Professional Accountancy from the University of London by taking just two modules and writing one research project.  
• The ACCA certification will allow you to explore multiple career paths.  
• You will master ethical practices through the ACCA programme, which will enable you to contribute to the high ethical standards of the organisation you belong to.  
• The good thing is that you will get resources, advice, forums, and insights during your study and professional journey after finishing the ACCA programme.  
• You will also be able to develop and learn new skills and get an opportunity to gain multiple qualifications after the ACCA programme.

Requirements to Complete the ACCA Course

To fully qualify as an ACCA member, you must complete all three requirements as follows:

1. Clear all 13 exams

You should pass all 13 ACCA papers, divided into their 3 levels, unless you qualify for any of the exemptions. 

2. Complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module

You should also strengthen your professional judgment, communication, and ethical decision-making.

3. Complete 36 Months of ACCA PER (Practical Experience)

To become an ACCA member, you have to work in a relevant finance/accounting role, complete 36 months of work experience, and get your performance objectives signed by a workplace mentor. You can gain experience by working before, during, or after your ACCA exams.

What is CMA

CMA (Certified Management Accountant), a professional with expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and ethics. It is a global qualification offered by IMA (Institute of Management Accountants).

The qualification equips you with skills crucial for strategic corporate finance roles. CMAs help businesses make data-driven decisions, moving beyond traditional accounting into strategic management, leading to higher earning potential and career advancement. 

The CMA duration varies from half a year to one and a half years, as you have to clear only two exams, and that completely depends on your pace of learning.

Eligibility Criteria

The CMA eligibility criteria help you understand whether you are qualified and ready to start your journey toward becoming a Certified Management Accountant.

• 12th Pass Out [any stream]
• Post Graduate (MBA, MCom)
• CMA India
• Commerce Graduate
• CA Intermediate
• Anyone wanting to make a Career in Finance
• Requirements to Complete the CMA Course

Requirements to Complete the CMA Course

Apart from meeting the basic eligibility and clearing the exams, candidates must fulfil a few additional requirements to officially complete the CMA qualification:

• You must hold an active IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) membership throughout your CMA journey.
• You need to clear both CMA exam parts—Part 1 and Part 2—within the allowed exam window.
• You must complete 2 years of relevant professional experience in accounting, finance, or management accounting roles.
• You need to submit your educational documents (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) to IMA for verification.
• You must follow the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice, which is mandatory for certification.
• You should complete the entire certification process (education + exams + experience) within 7 years from the date of passing your first exam part.
• You must keep your CMA entrance fee and exam fees paid and updated to remain eligible for the exams.

ACCA vs CMA US: Key Differences Explained

As far as this section is concerned, the difference between ACCA and CMA is their focus areas, worldwide recognition, exam structure, and career outcomes. 

On the one hand, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is mainly concerned with accounting and auditing, as it goes thoroughly through taxation and auditing while talking about financial reporting.

On the other hand, CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is responsible for the enforcement of management accounting, financial planning, strategy and decision-making. 

These ACCA vs CMA US lead to varying situations regarding exemptions, difficulty levels, salary prospects, job roles and the way the qualifications are regarded both in India and overseas. Below the table are the key differences explained between ACCA and CMA.

CMA and ACCA exemptions

CMA and ACCA exemptions are both recognised and availed according to your schooling or professional qualifications. 

For ACCA exemptions, graduates in commerce or accounting-related fields are generally exempted from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels, thus shortening the total examinations they have to pass. 

CMA is also quite liberal in this regard, more so with the candidates possessing relevant degrees, then they can directly work on the two main exam parts and ignore the basic ones. 

Understanding these CMA and ACCA exemptions can save time and help plan your study path efficiently, especially when comparing ACCA vs CMA eligibility and the overall ACCA vs CMA course structure.

Difficulty Level

In the case of difficulty, ACCA gets more the lion’s share of this aspect as it is said to be more extensive because there are 13 exams in total across three levels of study dealing with accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing. CMA is more focused on the areas of management accounting, financial planning, and strategic decision-making, with just two exam parts to go through, making it a little bit less bulky.

Your choice will depend on whether you are a generalist who prefers a broad accounting approach (ACCA) or a specialist who is interested specifically in finance and management (CMA) orientation. This helps students evaluate the CMA vs ACCA difficulty level before choosing the right professional course.

CMA vs ACCA Salary

Both qualifications, CMA vs ACCA Salary, are competitive, but they vary depending on geographical area and occupation. The salaries of ACCA India members working in auditing, accounting, and finance jobs will be ₹6–12 lakh per year initially, while the salaries of the same professionals in the international markets would be even higher. 

CMA-grade individuals, whose work is mainly in the areas of management accounting and financial strategy, are usually only slightly higher in the mid-level salary range, particularly in the case of managerial jobs, and the global offering is $70,000–$120,000 a year.

This makes the CMA vs ACCA salary in India and abroad a key deciding factor for many students looking for high-paying finance jobs.

Job Roles and Career Scope

The ACCA qualification can easily lead to audit and taxation, accounting, and finance positions in companies all over the world, including the Big Four. The CMA, however, is a qualification that is mostly favoured in corporate finance, management accounting, and strategic planning roles, particularly in international business. 

If you choose the ACCA route, you will have a wide range of accounting careers to choose from, but if you choose the CMA route, you will be positioned as a financial strategist concentrating on the decision-making process and enterprise performance. This difference in CMA vs ACCA career scope helps students choose based on long-term goals.

Which Has More Value in India & Abroad?

Worldwide, both ACCA and CMA are respected, but their recognition becomes a matter of region. ACCA is globally recognised in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, making it a perfect choice for traditional accounting and auditing careers. CMA is prominent in the US, the Middle East, and multinational companies, particularly for management accounting roles. 

In India, ACCA is more sought after by accountants and auditors, while CMA is slowly making its presence felt among the financial individuals who are aiming for strategic corporate roles. These trends help students understand which is better, ACCA or CMA in India, and also how each qualification performs in terms of global recognition and demand.

CMA or ACCA which is Better? 

The decision of CMA or ACCA which is Better, is completely dependent on your long-term aspirations. Also consider the type of work that you enjoy and your preferred location for career building. 

If your preference is for a more comprehensive global accounting qualification that includes auditing, taxation, financial reporting, and compliance, then ACCA has larger career options. You will get placed particularly in Big 4 firms and international markets, while CMA is the opposite side of the coin.

It is more suitable for students wanting to tread the specialised path of management accounting, cost control, and strategic financial planning, which is the best for corporate roles in MNCs. 

In the context of ACCA vs CMA US in India, ACCA has more powerful positions in auditing and finance areas, while CMA produces great growth in corporate finance.

Both of the qualifications are highly recognised globally and have good earning potential, thus, CMA or ACCA which is better option, comes down to whether you prefer to be a professional accountant via ACCA or a financial strategist through CMA.

Conclusion

The choice between ACCA and CMA is mainly based on your career aspirations, personal liking, and the type of professional road you want to take. In case you are looking for a comprehensive, internationally recognised qualification that allows you to work in the areas of auditing, taxation and traditional accounting, then ACCA gives you a bigger stage. 

On the other hand, if you are more interested in management accounting, financial strategy, and corporate decision-making roles, then CMA will give you a quicker and more direct route. Both the ACCA and CMA certifications are highly valued all over the world, come with a huge salary potential, and provide reliable long-term career opportunities.

The right option is the one that suits your strengths, your favourite workplace, and the kind of finance expert you would like to be.

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