ACCA After CA: Benefits, Challenges, and Decisions

ACCA After CA

ACCA After CA is an increasingly popular choice among Chartered Accountants (CAs) aiming to enhance their qualifications and explore global opportunities. While the CA qualification holds significant value in India, adding ACCA certification to your resume can provide a distinct advantage, particularly in international markets. This blog will delve into the benefits, challenges, and considerations of pursuing ACCA after CA, helping you make a well-informed decision.

Why Consider ACCA After CA?

Pursuing ACCA after CA offers several advantages, mainly if you aim to expand your career globally. The ACCA qualification is internationally recognized, opening doors to job opportunities in countries like the UK, UAE, and Singapore. ACCA certification can significantly enhance your professional profile if you’re considering relocating or working with multinational corporations.

Moreover, ACCA exemptions for CA holders make this pathway more accessible. Qualified CAs can receive exemptions from up to nine of the thirteen ACCA papers, allowing you to focus on completing the remaining four. This reduces the time and effort required to achieve the ACCA qualification.

We get many Indian Chartered Accountants enquiring that they wish to take an ACCA after CA. The stimuli to take up ACCA primarily come from: 

1. Standing Out in the Crowd: Seeking unique credentials to set your resume apart from the sea of fellow Chartered Accountants.
2. Global Career Ambitions: Aiming to catch the eye of international recruiters with a skill set that transcends borders.
3. Keeping Pace with Peers: Motivated by the journey of friends pursuing ACCA and the encouragement from mentors who see the value in adding this qualification.

ACCA after CA. Is it worth it

The decision to pursue ACCA after completing CA is multifaceted. Let's explore the pros and cons before we  paint a detailed portrait to help you weigh your decision with depth and nuance.

Pros of Pursuing ACCA After CA

1. The Globe-Trotter’s Delight: The ACCA qualification opens doors to international markets, especially in regions like Europe and the Middle East, where the ACCA is highly regarded. If you plan to work abroad, ACCA certification can significantly improve your job prospects and potential earnings.

2. The Connoisseur of Opportunity: ACCA broadens your horizon. Whether it’s about diving into global financial standards or embracing roles that demand a nuanced understanding of accounting beyond borders, you’re gearing up to be a connoisseur in a niche market.

3. Enhanced CV: Adding ACCA certification to your resume provides a global dimension, distinguishing you in a competitive job market. This is particularly valuable if you aim to secure roles in multinational companies or international financial hubs.

Cons of Pursuing ACCA After CA

1. Limited benefit in India: For those whose career compass points strictly within India, ACCA might not be the most cost-effective addition to your arsenal. The local job market tends to prize experience and specific skills over an additional qualification.

2. Time commitment: ACCA is no stroll in the park. It demands a significant investment of your time—think long hours of study on top of your job. It's a marathon of dedication.

3. Financial consideration: Pursuing ACCA is not just a commitment of time and effort but also finances. Before diving in, consider the return on investment, especially if your career track is firmly rooted in India.

4. The Explorer’s Quandary: Before committing to ACCA, explore all paths. There might be alternative qualifications or skills (like IFRS/USGAAP, data analytics, sustainability reporting) that align more closely with your career aspirations and offer a better return on investment.

Is an ACCA qualification and a CA a good combination?

It depends on the following three factors

1. Local Champion or Global Explorer? Where do you see your career thriving: within India's dynamic markets or on a global stage?
2. Commitment Check: Are you ready to dive deep into new studies with your time and energy?
3. Skill Expansion: What other skills or courses could catapult your career to new heights?

ACCA After CA. Detailed overview. 

1) Are you going to work in India?

Enhancing Your CV Beyond Initial Qualifications: If your career is set to unfold within India, adding another CA qualification might not significantly elevate your resume. It's akin to a doctor who has already earned their MBBS in India; obtaining the same degree from the UK wouldn't markedly impact their career trajectory within the Indian healthcare system. After securing your initial qualification and landing your first job, the focus shifts towards acquiring and refining skills that are directly applicable and valuable to your industry.

We spoke to many CFOs and recruiting firms, and the summary of what they said is as under:

• Navigating India's Finance Hiring Landscape: In India, the key figures in finance hiring, like Finance Controllers and CFOs, often hold CA credentials. They are more attuned to the nuances of Indian CA training over ACCA, favouring familiarity over foreign qualifications. After your initial job, the spotlight shifts from your CA status to the practical skills and value you bring. To climb the finance career ladder, focus on three main skill sets:

1. 1. Technical skills like IFRS, USGAAP, Taxation, Valuation, and ESG - Early investment in these areas, ideally in the first 8 years of your career, can fast-track your journey to a CFO role.
   2. Leadership Qualities: From around five years into your career, especially in managerial roles, enhancing your soft skills—like leadership, decision-making, and analytics—is crucial.
   3. Digital Fluency: The finance sector's digital transformation demands proficiency in modern technologies such as blockchain, data analytics, and robotic process automation (RPA). Gone are the days when Excel or SAP knowledge sufficed; today, fintech expertise is indispensable.

• Salary Insights and Skill Emphasis: Our investigation into salary data from job portals and conversations with recruiters highlights a critical insight: adding another qualification doesn't necessarily translate to a higher salary. The unique skills you bring to the table can significantly influence your earnings. Thus, enhancing your resume with specialized skills is a more effective strategy for standing out among CAs than accumulating additional qualifications.
• The Differentiation Dilemma: In India, now where ACCA can be done along with B.Com degrees, how do you position yourself to stand out among Bcom students with ACCA in the Indian market?

2) Are you going out of India?

If you are moving abroad either on a Permanent residency or your employer has asked you to move. We strongly recommend adding an ACCA qualification will enhance your job prospects.

You will be exempt from 9 out of the 13 papers, leaving you to pass the strategic professional level exams of ACCA. You will need to write only 4 out of the 13 exams and complete the ethics compliance training.

Europe and the Middle East: Amplifying Opportunities with ACCA

Elevate Your Career Prospects: For those eyeing a career in Europe or the Middle East, obtaining an ACCA qualification can significantly enhance your job opportunities. This credential could improve your chances for more qualitative roles and better salaries by three to fivefold. Recruiters in these regions highly regard ACCA due to its global recognition and the level of expertise it represents. Becoming an ACCA member showcases your commitment to the profession. It aligns you more closely with the expectations of international finance communities.

US, Canada, and Australia: The Strategic Path to CPA

Navigating Towards CPA: If your professional journey is steering towards the US, Canada, or Australia, pursuing the CPA designation specific to these countries offers a strategic advantage over ACCA. The ICAI has established MOUs with CPA Canada and CPA Australia. This arrangement allows Indian CAs to bypass the bulk of the CPA exam requirements, needing to pass only one or two exams to earn their CPA status. Opting for the CPA route in these countries simplifies the certification process. It enhances your employability and recognition in their respective job markets.

3) How committed are you for ACCA After CA?

The Alluring Path of ACCA: After surmounting the rigorous challenges of becoming a CA in India, tackling four more professional-level papers to earn the ACCA designation might seem enticing. However, this ambition requires a closer look at what the ACCA journey entails.

• Understanding the ACCA Rigor: ACCA examinations demand a profound comprehension of concepts, contrasting sharply with the CA’s right-or-wrong answer approach. The ACCA's evaluation criteria focus on the quality of reasoning, which means preparing for these exams is about mastering the depth of each topic.
• Preparation Timeframe and Commitment: Preparing for any ACCA paper is significant, demanding approximately 150 to 200 hours of study per subject. This level of commitment is substantial, especially when juxtaposed with the 90 days of dedicated study leave typically granted for CA exams. The crucial question for potential ACCA candidates is whether they can realistically allocate around 2 hours daily over two months for each subject and replicate this effort across all four papers.
• Balancing Act: The challenge extends beyond intellectual rigour to effectively manage time within a busy professional schedule. The transition from CA to ACCA is a continuation of academic endeavour and a new expedition requiring meticulous planning, dedication, and substantial time investment.

Before embarking on this journey, it’s essential to assess your willingness to engage with the ACCA's distinct academic demands and your capacity to integrate this intensive study regimen into your existing work-life balance.

4) Are there other courses that you can consider instead of doing the ACCA?

Many new-age skills are in demand with recruiters globally, and they attract huge salaries. You can factor these in and differentiate your CV from other CA's. These are also on the job market globally and will attract global recruiters if you take up an international certification.

• IFRS/USGAAP Certification: Essential for Aspiring CFOs: Securing an IFRS or USGAAP certification, costing about 30K to 40K INR, not only enhances your CV but also aligns with the rising demand for such expertise amid increasing global IPOs. This evergreen skill set promises to support your career growth up to the CFO level.
• The Rise of Sustainability Reporting: The movement towards integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into the recruitment process underscores ESG's critical role in corporate strategy. Businesses now understand that their longevity and prosperity hinge on more than just financial outcomes; how they navigate environmental and social challenges, as well as governance issues, is equally pivotal. Consequently, there's a growing demand for professionals equipped with ESG expertise, capable of guiding companies towards achieving their sustainability objectives.
• Data Analytics: A Financial Game-Changer: In the finance industry, proficiency in data analytics has become a highly sought-after skill, marking a significant shift in what defines a top-tier professional. Chartered Accountants who complement their credentials with data analytics expertise not only widen their career opportunities but can also see a salary increase of 20% to 50%. Investing in a comprehensive data analytics course, with an approximate cost of 150K INR, represents a strategic move for those looking to elevate their standing and impact in the financial sector.
• CIMA UK: A Strategic Addition for CAs: For Chartered Accountants looking to broaden their qualifications, the CIMA Global UK qualification presents an excellent opportunity. By completing just one case study, CAs can earn this prestigious credential, enriching their skill set with management accounting and strategic thinking. This complements the technical and functional accounting knowledge from ICAI, offering a well-rounded professional profile.

Summary of ACCA after CA: 

If you are seeking for advice or looking to do your ACCA or need any further certifications, do reach out to us at info@eduyush.com or WhatsApp us at +919643308079