ACCA vs CMA US: Which Should You Choose?
Choose ACCA if you want a full chartered accountancy qualification covering financial reporting, audit and tax, for Big 4, reporting and international finance roles. Choose CMA US if you want a faster, focused management-accounting credential for FP&A, corporate finance and MNC or GCC finance teams: two exams, against ACCA’s 13 plus an ethics module.
Last reviewed by Sai Manikanta Pedamallu, ACCA, CMA ·
ACCA vs CMA US at a glance
| Criteria | ACCA (UK) | CMA US (IMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | ACCA — Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) | IMA — Institute of Management Accountants (USA) |
| Focus Area | Financial reporting, audit, tax, financial management, plus strategy and leadership | Management accounting, FP&A, corporate finance, strategy and ethics |
| Exams | 13 exams across Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional, plus the Ethics and Professional Skills module | 2 parts; each 4 hours: 100 multiple-choice questions plus 2 case-based questions |
| Exam Scheduling | Four sittings a year (March, June, September, December); Applied Knowledge exams on demand | Testing windows: January–February, May–June, September–October, at Prometric centres including in India |
| Pass Mark | 50% in every exam | 360 out of 500 per part |
| Entry | You can start after Class 12; degrees and professional qualifications can earn exemptions | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) or an accepted professional certification; you can sit before graduating |
| Experience Requirement | 36 months of practical experience (PER) | 2 continuous years in management accounting or financial management |
| Global Fin X Coaching | ₹10,000–₹15,000 per paper, plus ACCA fees | ₹30,000 per part or ₹50,000 for both, plus IMA fees |
| Best For | Audit, financial reporting, tax, Big 4 and international finance careers | FP&A, controlling, corporate finance, MNC and GCC finance teams |
ACCA and IMA set and change their own rules and fees. Confirm on accaglobal.com and imanet.org before you register.
ACCA is moving to a new qualification from 2027: June 2027 is the last sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams, and the new exams start in September 2027. See what changes in the ACCA 2027 syllabus
What is the main difference between ACCA and CMA US?
ACCA is a broad chartered accountancy qualification that includes audit and tax; CMA US is a focused certification in management accounting and financial decision-making inside companies.
ACCA builds from accounting fundamentals to Strategic Business Reporting and Strategic Business Leader, with audit, tax and financial management papers on the way. That makes it the route into audit firms and financial reporting as well as industry.
CMA US Part 1 covers external financial reporting, planning and budgeting, performance and cost management, internal controls, and technology and analytics; Part 2 covers financial statement analysis, corporate finance, decision analysis, risk management, investment decisions and professional ethics. It is aimed at finance roles inside organisations rather than audit.
Which is faster to complete?
CMA US is much shorter: two exams, against ACCA’s 13 exams plus the ethics module (fewer if you have exemptions).
Most Global Fin X students finish both CMA US parts in 12–18 months, and IMA requires both parts within 3 years of entering the CMA program. ACCA takes longer and depends heavily on exemptions: graduates and CA, CMA or CS students often start at a later level.
Both let you gain the required experience alongside or after the exams, with no fixed articleship.
What do ACCA and CMA US cost with Global Fin X?
ACCA tuition is charged per paper (₹10,000–₹15,000 for the papers we teach); CMA US is ₹30,000 per part or ₹50,000 for both parts.
Exam and registration fees are paid separately to ACCA or IMA. With ACCA, every exempted paper is one you pay neither tuition nor exam fees for, so check exemptions first.
Which is better for jobs in India?
It depends on the job: ACCA for audit, IFRS reporting and Big 4 roles; CMA US for FP&A, controlling and corporate finance in MNCs and global capability centres (GCCs).
Pick the one that matches the role you want next. If you are unsure, look at job descriptions for that role and see which qualification they ask for.
Can I do both ACCA and CMA US?
Yes. They are awarded by different bodies and many professionals hold both, usually one after the other.
A common path is to complete CMA US first for a quick credential that helps in a finance job, then continue ACCA for the broader qualification, or the other way round if you are heading into audit. Sai Manikanta teaches both, so you can plan the sequence with one tutor.
Who should choose which?
Choose ACCA if…
- You want audit, IFRS reporting, tax or a Big 4 career
- You want a full chartered accountancy qualification recognised internationally
- You are starting after Class 12, or have exemptions from a degree or CA, CMA or CS
Choose CMA US if…
- You want FP&A, controlling or corporate finance in a company
- You want a credential you can finish in 12–18 months
- You are a graduate or working professional who wants a focused upgrade
Frequently asked questions
Is CMA US easier than ACCA?
CMA US has far fewer exams (2 against 13 plus an ethics module), so it takes much less time overall. Each CMA part is long and demanding, though: 4 hours with 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 case-based questions.
Can I start ACCA or CMA US after Class 12?
You can start ACCA after Class 12. CMA US needs a bachelor’s degree (or an accepted professional certification) to earn the credential, but you can sit the exams before you graduate.
Which has better salaries?
Salaries depend on the role, city and employer more than on the credential. ACCA leads in audit and reporting roles; CMA US is valued in FP&A and corporate finance.
Does Global Fin X teach both?
Yes. ACCA is taught paper by paper (₹10,000–₹15,000 per paper) and CMA US per part (₹30,000) or as a two-part package (₹50,000), all online, by Sai Manikanta Pedamallu.
Not sure which fits you?
Talk to us on WhatsApp, or start with the free lectures for either course before you decide.
Sources
- ACCA — Important dates
- ACCA — About our exams
- ACCA — Future ACCA Qualification timeline
- IMA — Institute of Management Accountants (imanet.org)
Last reviewed: . Requirements and fees set by these bodies change — always confirm on their official sites.