CA v ACA qualification
Discussion
Been reading up on different training/career routes into accountancy and different training providers seem to have a preference for either the ACCA or ACA qualification. Could someone more in the know explain what the difference is? How do different employers view the differing qualifications?
Edited by Sparta VAG on Tuesday 15th January 21:47
What's CA?
ACA is somebody who is a member of ICAEW, ICAS, or ICAI
ACMA is somebody who is a member of CIMA
ACCA is somebody who is a member of ACCA
ACA is probably the most highly regarded, followed by ACCA (IMO
) with CIMA next.
ACAs used to specialise in Tax and Audit, CIMA specialise in management accounting, ACCA is jack-of-all-trades.
ACA is somebody who is a member of ICAEW, ICAS, or ICAI
ACMA is somebody who is a member of CIMA
ACCA is somebody who is a member of ACCA
ACA is probably the most highly regarded, followed by ACCA (IMO
) with CIMA next. ACAs used to specialise in Tax and Audit, CIMA specialise in management accounting, ACCA is jack-of-all-trades.
Countdown said:
What's CA?
ACA is somebody who is a member of ICAEW, ICAS, or ICAI
ACMA is somebody who is a member of CIMA
ACCA is somebody who is a member of ACCA
ACA is probably the most highly regarded, followed by ACCA (IMO ) with CIMA next.
ACAs used to specialise in Tax and Audit, CIMA specialise in management accounting, ACCA is jack-of-all-trades.
I meant ACCA, my mistake (Wine + screaming child + no sleep). Thanks very much for the info, v helpful.ACA is somebody who is a member of ICAEW, ICAS, or ICAI
ACMA is somebody who is a member of CIMA
ACCA is somebody who is a member of ACCA
ACA is probably the most highly regarded, followed by ACCA (IMO
) with CIMA next. ACAs used to specialise in Tax and Audit, CIMA specialise in management accounting, ACCA is jack-of-all-trades.
I'm currently finishing off my ACCA; fingers crossed I should only have one exam left come June.
Without getting into the whole ACCA vs CA (ICAS, ICAEW). The main difference is that the ACCA is more flexible. I have come in from an Engineering background with no formal finance qualification, so have had to start from scratch and I'll have sat all the exams, 14 in all. This has taken 3 1/2 years. I can't comment much on CA as I haven't done it, but from what I've heard it is less flexible as in you have to sit set exams in blocks, so it makes it tougher. This is opposed to ACCA as you pick and choose what exams you sit for each sitting (June & December). As long as you sit and pass them within the 10 year limit your good to go.
Other than that I don't think once qualified anyone actually cares if your ACCA or CA.
Without getting into the whole ACCA vs CA (ICAS, ICAEW). The main difference is that the ACCA is more flexible. I have come in from an Engineering background with no formal finance qualification, so have had to start from scratch and I'll have sat all the exams, 14 in all. This has taken 3 1/2 years. I can't comment much on CA as I haven't done it, but from what I've heard it is less flexible as in you have to sit set exams in blocks, so it makes it tougher. This is opposed to ACCA as you pick and choose what exams you sit for each sitting (June & December). As long as you sit and pass them within the 10 year limit your good to go.
Other than that I don't think once qualified anyone actually cares if your ACCA or CA.
Depends what you want to do. Most jobs will either say ACA or ACA/ACCA/ACMA.
The best approach is to do ACA through big 4.
ACCA is financial reporting focused and they tend to be better at all the boring reporting stuff. ACA is similar but has a better market presence.
ACMA is more strategic, budget and forecasting focused.
To be honest I am ACMA and if I wanted to do statuary accounting all my life I would have done ACCA as it is the most techy. I quite like ACMA as its more suited to industry and commerce.
If you are in Africa then ACCA is the way to go. Look into internal opportunities too and see what interests you.
To have one is better than none. All equally as good. For strategic stuff its ACMA, for audit its ACA and for tec financial reporting its both ACCA and ACA.
Check out pay scales too. I believe ACMA accountants earn more than ACCA accountants. From what I understand this is based on the overall quality of people that do the qualifications. Ultimately ACA have the highest earning potential.
The best approach is to do ACA through big 4.
ACCA is financial reporting focused and they tend to be better at all the boring reporting stuff. ACA is similar but has a better market presence.
ACMA is more strategic, budget and forecasting focused.
To be honest I am ACMA and if I wanted to do statuary accounting all my life I would have done ACCA as it is the most techy. I quite like ACMA as its more suited to industry and commerce.
If you are in Africa then ACCA is the way to go. Look into internal opportunities too and see what interests you.
To have one is better than none. All equally as good. For strategic stuff its ACMA, for audit its ACA and for tec financial reporting its both ACCA and ACA.
Check out pay scales too. I believe ACMA accountants earn more than ACCA accountants. From what I understand this is based on the overall quality of people that do the qualifications. Ultimately ACA have the highest earning potential.
miln0039 said:
Sitting pretty here with my ACA.
Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
I don't think ACA exams are any harder. It's just that the competition for training contracts is so stiff that only the best and brightest get selected.Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
So, it's not that ACA is for clever people, more that clever people get selected for ACA (if that makes sense).
Countdown said:
miln0039 said:
Sitting pretty here with my ACA.
Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
I don't think ACA exams are any harder. It's just that the competition for training contracts is so stiff that only the best and brightest get selected.Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
So, it's not that ACA is for clever people, more that clever people get selected for ACA (if that makes sense).
miln0039 said:
I was only saying it tongue in cheek! But yes, I think your reasoning appears sound.
Whilst ACCA has given me a comfortable life I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd managed to get a first at Uni. Some of my former colleagues mention 60 hours/week being the minimum if you wanted to make partner which sounded like a lot when I was 25 but not that much now.
Ah well, the moving finger writes, and having writ moves on......
miln0039 said:
Sitting pretty here with my ACA.
Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
The people who brag the most about ACA are, funilly enough, ACAs.Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
I've worked with ACAs, ACCAs, other qualifieds from different countries and non-qualifieds and the qualification or lack of qualification wasn't what made them good or bad accountants, it was atitude and aptitude for the work.
Eric Mc said:
miln0039 said:
Sitting pretty here with my ACA.
Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
The people who brag the most about ACA are, funilly enough, ACAs.Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
I've worked with ACAs, ACCAs, other qualifieds from different countries and non-qualifieds and the qualification or lack of qualification wasn't what made them good or bad accountants, it was atitude and aptitude for the work.
I agree with your comments regarding attitude though - being good technically doesn't make you good at your job.
If you have the chance to choose - the ACA is probably still seen as having a slightly more rigorous standard
These days that perhaps isn't true, but both ACCA and CIMA have changed the exam process, syllabus and training schedules so many times the picture seems confused.
ACA hav in fact made minor changes, but have generally held a more consistent approach.
Countdown said:
The vast majority of jobs which ask for CIMA will accept ACCA. The opposite is not the case simply because CIMA don't do audit and very limited tax.
Valid point.Cima can not do audit/tax related work. I made the decision before I did Cima.
Depends where you want to go in your job...
miln0039 said:
Sitting pretty here with my ACA.
Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
lol nothing clever about having lots of time off from work to study and heaps of prep work and courses. I am sure even a monkey could get through ACA with all the spoon feeding ACA students get Difference is that ACA is the one for clever people....
(Prepares to run and hide)
But seriously, it's REALLY hard work whichever qualification you do! There is a reason Big 4 accountancy firms want their trainees to do ACA though.
ACCA & ACMA study while working.
ACA is however the best qualification to obtain. If you have a chance then go for it.
miln0039 said:
As said above Eric, I was making my comments tongue in cheek. It's funny because although it is said ACA's brag most, it could often equally be said that ACCA's have the biggest chip on their shoulder!!
I agree with your comments regarding attitude though - being good technically doesn't make you good at your job.
lol. I agree with the above! I agree with your comments regarding attitude though - being good technically doesn't make you good at your job.
ACCA are always trying to look as good as ACA.
Cima however are not comparable to ACCA/ACA so we just sit and watch and forecast the end result of their conflicts!
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff