ACCA is a global accountancy course from the UK. CA is India’s chartered accountancy course by ICAI. ACCA helps you work in many countries. CA lets you sign audit reports in India and work as a practicing accountant here. This article explains the Difference Between ACCA and CA.
What is ACCA?
ACCA stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is based in the United Kingdom. Many people around the world study ACCA. The course teaches accounting, tax, audit, and finance. You can start ACCA after school or after college. If you did B.Com or similar, you may skip some ACCA exams. This saves time.
Good for: People who want to work abroad or in global firms. It is useful for jobs in finance, audit, tax, and business. Understanding ACCA helps to know the Difference Between ACCA and CA.
What is CA (Chartered Accountant)?
CA is the professional accountancy course run by ICAI in India. Students learn Indian tax law, company law, and audit rules. CA training includes a long practical training called articleship. During articleship, you work in a firm and learn on the job. CAs can sign audit reports in India. This is a big power for practice and audit jobs.
Good for: People who want to build a career in India as an auditor, tax expert, or consultant. This helps explain the Difference Between ACCA and CA for Indian students.
ACCA vs CA: Quick Overview
| Topic | ACCA | CA |
| Country base | UK, global | India |
| Can sign audit reports in India | No (not by default) | Yes |
| Start after 12th | Yes | Yes (Foundation route) |
| Start after BCom | Yes, may get exemptions | Yes (Direct entry to Intermediate with marks) |
| Practical training | Required (PRP) | Required (Articleship) |
| Global jobs | Very strong | Strong in India, growing abroad |
| Fee range | Moderate to high (pay in GBP) | Lower in India (pay in INR) |
Eligibility for ACCA and CA
ACCA eligibility
- You can start ACCA after you finish class twelve. Some start after college. If you have a degree like BCom, you may get exemptions for some papers. Check the ACCA site to see which papers you can skip. This is important to understand the Difference Between ACCA and CA in terms of eligibility.
CA eligibility
- To join CA Foundation, you must pass class twelve. If you have a degree and some marks, you can directly join the Intermediate level (skip Foundation). You must then do three years of articleship as part of training.
Fee Structure for ACCA and CA
Money can change with time. Below is a simple guide.
Cost notes
- ACCA fees are shown in British pounds. You pay a one-time registration fee, exam fees per paper, and annual subscription. If you skip some papers due to a degree, you will pay less time and exam fees. This shows one key Difference Between ACCA and CA.
- CA fees are in Indian rupees. You pay for registration, exam forms, and study materials. You also pay small fees during articleship and for some courses.
Simple Fee Table
| Item | ACCA (typical) | CA (typical) |
| Registration | Pay in GBP (one-time) | ₹9,000 (Foundation) approx |
| Exam fees | Pay per exam in GBP | Small exam form fees like ₹1,500 per attempt |
| Annual fees | Small ACCA subscription in GBP | Small fees for journals or services |
| Total cost range | Can be higher than CA because of GBP rates | Lower inside India if you study locally |
Note: These are general estimates to show the difference. See ACCA and ICAI official pages for exact, current charges.
Duration of ACCA and CA
- ACCA: If you study full time, you can finish in two to three years as If you work with studies, it may take more time.
- CA: The CA route usually takes three to five years. This includes study and three years of articleship (work training).
Time can change by how fast you learn and how many exams you take each year. The duration is a major difference between ACCA and CA.
Exams and Study Style
- ACCA exams are many but you can take them flexibly. ACCA has options for computer-based tests for some papers.
- CA exams are strict. The pass rate is low and exams are hard. You must clear each group and complete articleship to sit for the final.
Both need study, practice, and hard work. Exam style is another Difference Between ACCA and CA.
ACCA vs CA: Career and Global Opportunities
- ACCA: Accepted in many countries. Good for jobs in global firms, banks, and big companies. ACCA helps you get roles in finance and management across borders.
- CA: Very strong in India. CAs are preferred for audits, tax, and company finance in India. CAs are also getting respect in other countries. In some places CAs and ACCA can move with extra steps.
Which Is Right for You: ACCA or CA?
No one simple answer. It depends on you.
- Pick ACCA if you want to work abroad or in a global team. It is more flexible in exam schedule and has clear global reach.
- Pick CA if you want to build a strong audit or tax practice in India. CA is linked to Indian law. If your goal is to sign audit reports or run your own audit firm in India, CA is the clear choice.
Think about your goal, money you can spend, and where you want to work. Understanding these points is the main Difference Between ACCA and CA.
Pros and cons
ACCA
- Pros: Global reach, flexible study, some exemptions for grads.
- Cons: May not let you sign audit reports in India. You may need more local steps to practice in some countries.
CA
- Pros: Power to sign audits in India. Strong demand in India. Deep training.
- Cons: Tough exams, long training time.
Key Steps to Start (India)
| Start step | ACCA | CA |
| Step one | Register on ACCA site | Register for CA Foundation on ICAI site |
| Step two | Study or join a tuition centre | Study for Foundation or Intermediate |
| Step three | Sit for ACCA exams | Sit for CA exams and join articleship |
Both ACCA and CA are strong choices. Pick what fits your life. Think about work place, money, and time. Use the tables above to help you decide as Understanding the Difference Between ACCA and CA will help you make the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Can an ACCA work in India?
Ans. Yes. ACCA holders can work in India in many roles. But they cannot sign audit reports here unless they meet ICAI rules. For some audit work, extra steps are needed.
Q.2 If I have BCom, can I finish fast?
Ans. Yes for ACCA. BCom may give you exemptions. For CA, with a degree and marks you may get direct entry to Intermediate and skip Foundation. This is an important Difference Between ACCA and CA.
Q.3 Which one pays more?
Ans. Pay depends on job, company, city, and experience. Top CAs in India and ACCA members in global firms can earn well. Do not pick a course only for money.
