--- title: CA vs ACCA: Key Differences, Salary & Scope description: CA or ACCA – which is better? Discover key differences in career scope, international opportunities, and course difficulty before making your choice. --- # **ACCA Vs CA - Which is the Best Course for You?** Updated: 12 August 2026, 5:30 pm IST **Summary** **(Trying to choose between ACCA and CA? This blog compares both accounting qualifications in terms of eligibility, course structure, career opportunities, and salary. Whether you’re aiming for global exposure or local expertise, find out which professional path aligns best with your goals in the finance and accounting field.)** Career choice is a decisive and challenging task. Choosing between ACCA and CA, two popular options in commerce, is tough for many finance and accounting aspirants as it defines their scope of their future and career. If you are struggling or in a dilemma of making a hard choice between ACCA vs. CA, read this post to understand the difference and make an informed decision.  ## **What is ACCA vs CA?** **ACCA**: The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a global association that supports accountants and accredits them professionally. Established in 1904, ACCA helps finance and accountancy aspirants pursue rewarding careers in this field. Recognized by over 180 countries worldwide, [**ACCA**](https://amityonline.com/blog/what-is-acca-overview) opens doors to opportunities for professionals across the world and designates candidates as Certified Chartered Accountants after completing the course.  **CA:** Chartered Accountancy is a professional accounting qualification that produces Chartered Accountants (CAs), who are skilled experts in finance and accounting. These professionals are highly regarded as qualified and accomplished accounting professionals who offer expert advice in matters related to finance and accounting. Chartered accountancy is a sought-after career in India among commerce aspirants.  Let’s take a look at the difference between CA and ACCA. ## **Key Differences Between CA and ACCA in Terms of Benefits, Eligibility, and Career Prospects:** ### **Benefits of CA vs ACCA** **Chartered Accountant (CA)** **Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)** CA is a prestigious and highly esteemed program in the financial industry in India.    ACCA is a globally recognized program and offers global opportunities CA focuses strongly on local laws and regulations ACCA has recognition in over 180 countries which gives students an excellent international exposure and scope CA helps candidates master these laws to make it beneficial for professionals and build promising careers in India.   ACCA has a broad spectrum and offers wide career opportunities across different countries across the globe  CA programs open doors to opportunities for professionals in this field to work better in India ACCA professionals can work in business advisory and financial management services in India and worldwide ### **Eligibility Requirements for CA vs. ACCA** **CA** **Eligibility** Enroll for CA programs through Foundation Route   \- Candidates must complete 10+2 and register for the CA exam four months before the exams commence. \- For CA after 10th, the combined percentage in English and Mathematics should be 65% and 60%, respectively. For CA after 12th, a minimum of 65% is needed as the combined grade in English and Accounts. Enroll for CA programs through the Direct Entry Route   \- This route is open for graduates and postgraduates of commerce with 55% marks in their respective UG/PG exams \- For non-commerce students, 60% is the minimum percentage to score in the UG/PG courses \- Candidates in their final year of the bachelor’s program can also register on a provision basis, which will be finalized after the final year marks submission.   **ACCA** **Eligibility**  ACCA after 10th Students must complete 10th and sign up for ACCA through the FIA (Foundation in Accountancy) course. ACCA after 12th Aspirants must complete 10+2 or equivalent with a combined score of 65% in Maths/Accounts, and English and a minimum of 50% aggregate in the rest of the subjects.  ACCA after Bachelor’s Students taking up ACCA after graduation must complete a bachelor’s degree in BCom, BBA, BMS, etc., to appear for ACCA entrance exams  ### **Career Prospects After ACCA** **After completing ACCA, candidates can avail of rewarding job options like:** - Management Accountant - Credit Controller  - Financial Accountant  - Tax Specialist  - Finance Manager  ### **Career Prospects After CA** **Once their CA program is complete, students can acquire jobs in various fields in varied roles like:** - Internal Auditor - Direct and Indirect Taxation Expert - **Financial Manager**  - Investment Banker - Cost Accountant - Forensic Accountant ## **Scope of** **ACCA After CA in India** ACCA and CA are two separate and sovereign bodies and it is possible to take up ACCA after completing CA. An ICAI-qualified chartered accountant is likely to avail of better global exposure and opportunities by opting for ACCA after CA. Aspirants and CA professionals can take the ACCA exam anytime while maintaining their CA profession at their convenience. ACCA can also be pursued after completing the CA final year exam. Qualified Chartered Accountants are just required to attempt and clear 4 papers to complete the ACCA at the professional level.    ## **Which is Better: ACCA vs. CA**  For commerce and accounting aspirants to consider which is best CA or ACCA can be challenging and may require careful consideration. Students struggling with such challenges should decide on the course by considering their career goals, strengths, and aspirations.     ACCA offers global perspectives and opportunities through all-round professional training and ethics. It suits aspirants looking to make it big in international finance roles. CA, on the other hand, focuses deeply on local laws and regulations. Hence, CA is an ideal program for professionals planning to take up specialized roles in India. So, if you are interested in moving abroad after your studies for a career, you can consider ACCA. However, if you are hoping to work in an Indian firm as a partner or pursue a career as a chartered accountant in India, you may consider CA as these professionals have the exclusive right to audit and certify financial declarations in India.  ## **Other In-Demand Accounting Certifications in India:** In addition to ACCA and CA accounting programs, many other reputed accounting courses are available for students in India. Below is a list of some of the top accounting programs available:  **Name of the Certification**  **Course Duration**  **Eligibility**  **Career Prospects**  ACCA: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 3 - 4 years Depends on the level applied for. Candidates can apply for ACCA after the 10th, 12th, and bachelor’s  \- Management accountant \- Consultant \- Business analyst \- Corporate finance expert \- Subject matter CA: Chartered Accountant Up to 5 years Depends on the course  10+2 for the Foundation course, and Bachelor’s degree for direct entry  \- Internal auditor  \- Tax auditor \- Banker \- Forensic auditor \- Corporate financier CIA: Certified Internal Auditor 1- 2 years Bachelor’s Degree  \- Senior audit manager \- Director of internal audit \- Senior risk analyst \- Director of risk management CFA: Financial Analyst 2 years Bachelor’s Degree  \- Investment Banker \- Risk Manager \- Equity Analyst \- Portfolio Manager CPA: Certified Public Accountant 18 Months  Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, BBA, etc  \- Financial analyst \- Tax consultant \- Internal/External auditor \- Financial Manager \- Investment Banker CMA: Certified Management Accountant 3 years 10+2 for the Foundation course, and  Bachelors for Intermediate level \- Cost accountant \- Financial analysts \- Internal auditor \- Finance managers CGMA: Chartered Global Management Accountant 4 years Bachelors in accounting/finance/ business, plus work experience \- Management accountant - Business Analyst \- Management Consultant \- Forensic Accountant ## **Conclusion** To Conclude, the decision to pursue ACCA vs CA or any other accounting certification rests on the career goals and vision of the candidates to excel in the field of finance. Students have abundant opportunities to explore accounting programs including online programs.  Amity University Online offers several opportunities to pursue online courses in the commerce stream integrated with ACCA or accredited by ACCA along with offering other accounting certifications online. Visit the [Amity Online](https://amityonline.com/) Portal to learn more.    ## **Check Out Our Top Online Degree Programs** **UG Programs** **PG Programs** [BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-business-administration-online) [MBA (Master of Business Administration)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-business-administration-online) [BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-computer-applications-online) [MCA (Master of Computer Application)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-computer-applications-online) [Bcom (Bachelor of Commerce)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-commerce-online) [MA (Master of Arts Public, Policy and Governance)](https://amityonline.com/ma-public-policy) [BA (Bachelor Of Arts)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-arts-online) [Mcom with Financial Management](https://amityonline.com/master-of-commerce-financial-management-online) [BAJMC Bachelor Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-arts-journalism-and-mass-communication-online) [MAJMC Master Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-arts-journalism-and-mass-communication-online) ## ABOUT AUTHOR [Meetu Verma](/author/Meetu-Verma) ### Head of Career Services [**Meetu Verma**]() is the Head of Career Services at Amity Online with over 25 years of experience in higher education, employability, corporate relations, and campus recruitment. She writes about career planning, skill development, industry trends, and workforce readiness, helping learners build successful and future-ready careers. * * * ## frequently asked questions * * * ### What is ACCA? + ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a membership body that supports and accredits professional accountants all over the world. * * * ### Which is more globally recognized, ACCA or CA? + ACCA with recognition in over 180 Countries is more globally recognized. * * * ### What is CA? + Chartered Accountancy (CA) is a professional qualification and chartered accountants are professionals who have expertise in finance and accounting. They are regarded as highly qualified and provide expert advice on matters related to finance. * * * ### What are the major differences between ACCA and CA? + The key difference between ACCA and CA is that ACCA is recognized in 180+ countries and hence offers good international exposure and opportunities. CA, on the other hand, opens doors to opportunities in India. * * * ### Which course has a longer duration, ACCA or CA? + CA programs are generally of longer duration and take about four to five years to complete. * * * ### Which course is more challenging, ACCA or CA? + A course in chartered accountancy (CA) is commonly considered to be challenging compared to ACCA. * * * ### Which course offers better career prospects in India? + Based on their career goals, students looking for international job exposure in finance and accounting can find better exposure after pursuing ACCA, while students looking for career advancements and growth in India will benefit from CA courses. * * *