{"id":2411,"date":"2024-11-13T05:48:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/blog\/?p=2411"},"modified":"2024-11-13T05:48:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:18:53","slug":"acca-vs-cpa-9-essential-differences-you-must-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/acca-vs-cpa-9-essential-differences-you-must-know\/","title":{"rendered":"ACCA vs CPA: 9 Essential Differences You Must Know!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job aspirants intending to make a career in accounting often look out for two prominent certifications recognised globally \u2014 the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From hospitality and healthcare to retail and banking, from the Big 4 to other leading public and private firms, accountancy qualifications like ACCA and CPA offer unlimited roles and a versatile, rewarding profession. However, when deciding between the two, candidates are often baffled by the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CPA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> debate and which one to choose.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is ACCA?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a UK-based membership body. It accredits professional accountants globally and confers one of the leading accountancy qualifications to finance professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students with the ACCA qualification gain comprehensive accounting knowledge and skills, from financial accounting, taxation, and management accounting to business ethics. Completing the ACCA programme and clearing the professional examinations qualifies one to be a Chartered Certified Accountant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is CPA?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is conferred to licensed accounting professionals by the Board of Accountancy for each state in the USA. In many countries, including India, the Indian Accountant designation is at par with the CPA designation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CPA (US) curriculum covers financial accounting and reporting, concepts of auditing and attestation, regulatory aspects like business law and ethics, taxation, and concepts such as corporate governance, strategic planning, and financial and operations management. Students completing the US CPA can further become CPA Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CPA Differences<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though both ACCA and CPA are courses related to accounting, there are several differences between them. Let us address the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CPA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> debate based on factors like eligibility, examination pattern, course duration, job profile and recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Eligibility\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates with the following qualifications are eligible to take up the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/acca-coaching-program\/\">ACCA course<\/a><\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10th pass out<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12th pass out (any stream)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graduates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Postgraduates (M.Com, MBA)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAs, CMAs (5+ years of experience)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CA Intermediates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students from any academic background aspiring to make a career in finance and\/or accounting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: CPA exam prerequisites vary from one state in the USA to the other. However, the standard criteria are that the candidate should have a bachelor\u2019s or equivalent degree, preferably in accounting, finance or business administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Eligibility to take CPA exams:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">120 credits (one year of Indian university education typically earns 30 credits)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on foreign academic credential evaluation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decided by 55 State Boards of Accountancy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Eligibility for CPA license:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">150 credits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 years of work experience<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fulfill the 4 Es (Examinations, Education, Experience, Ethics examination)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Licence to be earned within 3 years of clearing all examinations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Examination pattern<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: There are 3 levels in the ACCA exams \u2014 Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional with 13 papers. The Applied Knowledge level has 3 papers, the Applied Skills level has 6 papers, and the Strategic Professional level has 2 mandatory and 2 elective papers. All exams are computer-based.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please note that prior qualifications of students decide the exemptions (up to 9 papers) they can avail of in the ACCA examinations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The CPA curriculum has 4 examinations \u2014 Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Regulations (REG). Each exam lasts 4 hours. The sections mainly focus on US Taxation and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). All exams are computer-based.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Course duration\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Prior qualifications play a crucial role in determining the duration of the ACCA programme.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5-3 years (Undergraduates and below, 13 ACCA exams)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-2.5 years (Commerce graduates and above, 9 ACCA exams)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1.5-2 years (Commerce graduate + CA Inter, 7 ACCA exams)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-1.5 years (CAs and CMAs with 5+ years of experience, 4 ACCA exams)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates can take 12-18 months to clear all exams of the CPA programme.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Recognition<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ACCA is globally accredited and recognised in more than 180 nations. ACCA has Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with many professional accounting bodies worldwide. As a result, ACCA members can fast-track their qualifications or gain exemptions in other countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Like ACCA, CPA is widely recognised. But it is most highly regarded in the USA. Applicability for the CPA license outside the USA will depend on the respective country\u2019s requirements and regulations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Examination dates<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: On-demand ACCA computer-based examinations (CBEs) can be taken at any time of the year. Session CBEs are held in March, June, September and December. Candidates must book their exams ahead of each session deadline.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates can take the US CPA examinations on-demand in January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Focus on international standards<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ACCA relies on IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). It emphasises and ensures an in-depth understanding of global accounting practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The USCPA mainly focuses on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). It also covers International Accounting Standards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Ongoing learning and development<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates must participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain ACCA membership. This includes completing relevant activities for earning CPD units annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates must fulfil CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements to maintain a CPA license. Generally, candidates must complete a specific number of CPE hours within a stipulated time frame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Job profiles<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates with an ACCA qualification are eligible for the positions of Financial Accountants, Management Accountants,\u00a0 Tax Specialists, Financial Managers, Financial Consultants, and so on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: On completion of the CPA course, candidates can make a career as a Public Accountant, Forensic Accountant, Financial Analyst, Internal Auditor, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. ACCA vs CPA salary<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>ACCA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ACCA salaries in India range from INR 6.4 LPA to INR 16.7 LPA, depending on the position applied for and years of experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CPA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The salary of CPA professionals in India can range from INR 5.9 LPA (&lt;1 year of experience) to INR 24 LPA (10-19 years of experience).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comparing ACCA and CPA on various parameters, the question you must ask is, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA or CPA: Which is better?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drawing a clear winner between any two career programmes is quite challenging. We have compared many more courses in the past, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/acca-vs-ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/cfa-vs-cpa-comparison\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CFA vs CPA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and have seen that every course has to offer something unique and different. The choice, ultimately, depends on the candidate\u2019s preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both ACCA and CPA open up excellent career opportunities for freshers and professionals. While ACCA offers a broader global perspective, CPA is more relevant in the US market and focuses on American accounting regulations and principles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The course duration and structures are also significantly different, ultimately leaving the choice to the candidate. If you, too, are considering these accounting courses, understand the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CPA differences<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and choose the one that aligns with your career goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The WallStreet School India<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn more about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/cpa-coaching-program\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CPA course<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> details, including structure, duration and eligibility. Avail 100% placement assistance, skill-based training, on-demand LMS access, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs<\/span><b><\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>How useful is ACCA in the USA?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most countries recognise the ACCA qualification, it is not highly recognised in the USA. There is no reciprocal agreement that a candidate with ACCA certification will qualify for licensed CPA status.\u00a0<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Which is more difficult: ACCA or CPA?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are various factors to consider when it comes to understanding the difficulty levels of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACCA vs CPA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Both examinations are challenging and need hard work and diligence to clear. While the average pass rate for ACCA is around 55%, for CPA, the percentage is around 40-50%.\u00a0<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Do Indian companies hire ACCA?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Big 4 firms and various MNCs in India hire professionals with the ACCA qualification. However, unlike Indian Accountants (CAs), ACCA members do not enjoy signatory authority in India.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having a tough time deciding between ACCA or CPA, which is better? Here\u2019s all you need to know about the ACCA vs CPA differences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":2413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acca"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/stg-new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}