ACA, ACCA, or CIMA: Which Professional Path to Choose
ACA, ACCA or CIMA , which professional path to choose? Research course content and salary to advance your accountancy qualification. Explore 2025 updates on course structure, international career scope and salary insights to make your best accounting qualification decision.
Nazish Fatima30 Oct, 2025
ACA, ACCA or CIMA: These three are all professional qualifications in the accounting field which follow a tailor-made approach of ensuring that the candidates attain their respective career aspirations. ACA (Chartered Accountant) is located in the UK, and it is beneficial to individuals intending to develop power in the top hierarchy of the audit and accountancy firms with a vision of becoming the top leaders in the corporate environment.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a globally recognized certifying body that has the right to a broad career in accounting and finance, with loci of mobility accruing in industries as well as across countries.
The job that CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) has its eye on is that of strategic management accounting and business leader post, and the emphasis is laid on value creation in the business. Ultimately, it will be your choice and it will be subject to your career dream, which comes from reporting and auditing (ACA/ACCA) or strategic management finance (CIMA) or the other.
ACA, ACCA or CIMA Overview
ACA involves working in a training contract with one of the companies, combining employment with education during a period of approximately three years. ACCA has flexible study rates, which have no compulsory employment in the UK, and are usually completed in three or four years. CIMA is also flexible in its study and it tends to last two to four years where emphasis is placed on case studies and business situations.
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ACA vs ACCA vs CIMA Overv |
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Feature |
ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants) |
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) |
CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) |
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Qualification Focus |
Primarily technical financial accounting and audit |
Broad accounting, finance, auditing, and taxation |
Management accounting and business strategy |
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Career Path |
Big 4 accounting firms, tax auditing, risk management, forensic accounting, and financial planning |
Chartered accountant, financial analyst, tax consultant, forensic accountant, financial controller |
Cost accounting, business analysis, treasury, and financial management |
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Exam Structure |
Structured exams with emphasis on accounting technicalities |
Applied skills + Strategic professional exams + ethics module |
Focused on management accounting exams and business strategy |
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Work Experience Requirement |
Typically 3 years of relevant work experience in accounting |
Minimum 36 months of relevant work experience plus performance objectives |
Relevant management accounting-related work experience |
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Global Recognition |
Highly recognized in the UK and Commonwealth countries |
Globally recognized, flexible career options worldwide |
Recognized globally with focus on business and management accounting |
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Best suited for |
Those wishing to work within audit-heavy roles and UK-based firms |
Those seeking a versatile global qualification in finance and accounting |
Those targeting leadership roles in business and management accounting |
Difference between ACA, ACCA or CIMA
ACA, ACCA or CIMA each offer distinct paths, with unique focuses, career opportunities, and industry recognitions. Understanding these differences can help you decide which aligns best with your ambitions and strengths.
| Difference between ACA, ACCA, and CIMA | |||
| Feature | ACA | ACCA | CIMA |
| Focus | Audit, technical accounting | Financial and management accounting | Management accounting & strategy |
| Recognition | UK-focused | Global | Global, management accounting-focused |
| Duration | ~3 years | 3–4 years | 2–4 years |
| Study Mode | Requires employment in firm | Flexible, self-study or tuition | Flexible, case study approach |
| Entry Requirement | Degree preferred | GCSEs & A-levels or equivalent | No formal qualifications needed |
| Typical Roles | Chartered accountant, auditor | Accountant, auditor, tax specialist | Management accountant, finance manager |
| Salary Range (post-qualification) | £35,000–£60,000+ | £30,000–£55,000+ | £28,000–£55,000+ |
Which is Better, ACA, ACCA or CIMA
The best path depends on your career goals. Choose ACA if you want a structured route to senior roles in audit and accountancy in the UK, often leading to leadership. ACCA is suited for those seeking a globally versatile accounting qualification with a broad finance scope, including taxation and auditing. CIMA fits best if you aim at strategic management accounting and influencing business decisions within organizations.
ACCA vs CIMA Salary Comparison
Salary prospects for ACCA and CIMA professionals vary by role and experience. In the UK, ACCA salaries range roughly from £30,000 to £55,000+, while CIMA can command up to £63,000 or more based on seniority and industry.
| ACCA vs CIMA Salary Comparison | ||
| Career Level | ACCA Salary Range (INR Lakhs per annum) | CIMA Salary Range (INR Lakhs per annum) |
| Entry-Level | 4 - 7 | 5 - 7 |
| Mid-Level | 6 - 15 | 10 - 20 |
| Senior Roles | 15+ | 20+ |
| Average Salary | 6 - 15 (varies by role/experience) | 21.2 (average from profiles), range approx. 16.7 - 40.9 |
| Top 10% Earners | Salary can go much higher | Top 10% earn more than 31.2 lakhs, up to 45.7+ lakhs |
ACA vs ACCA difficulty level
Generally, ACA is perceived to be harder because of its stringent training contract conditions, as well as, very technical syllabus, and hands-on work experience. ACCA is more demanding, but at the same time less rigid in exams, and a wider variety of study materials makes it more accessible. The two demand good dedication and planning.
ACCA vs CIMA vs CA
ACA is commonly regarded as the Chartered Accountant qualification of the UK. ACCA and CIMA offer other paths that ACCA has oriented more towards financial accounting and compliance, whereas CIMA has oriented towards management accounting and strategic positions. ACA also results in the audit and senior management positions, and ACCA results in the general finance positions in the international market, and CIMA focuses on the business strategy and finance leadership positions.
Best Accounting Qualification 2025
Consider all your career interests, work preferences, and geographical flexibility in making a decision. It does not have a single best qualification, and all of them suit various aspirations.
ACA is best when it comes to excellence in audit and technical accounting.
ACCA is appropriate when the preferred qualification is fluid, internationally acclaimed, and is also broad in its financial provision opportunities.
CIMA is the way to go to those who aspire to become managers of accounting and business strategies.
CIMA vs ACCA Career Opportunities
ACCA students have a high probability of securing jobs in accountancy firms and other financial institutions and corporate finance positions like auditors, tax advisors and financial accountants.
CIMA professionals are usually employed in the management accounting and business partnering field, which is more concerned with budgeting, forecasting and making strategic choices. Both degrees lead to such positions in leadership, such as finance managers and CFOs.