Should You Switch from DIPIFR to AICPA IFRS

Student Success Stories: Why Professionals Across Industries Switched from DIPIFR to AICPA IFRS

At Eduyush.com, we offer both DIPIFR and AICPA IFRS certification courses, helping finance professionals make the right choice for their career goals. Below are authentic experiences from students across diverse industries who sought our advice between 2022 and 2024 when deciding between these qualifications. Company names have been withheld to protect our students' privacy.

Are You Struggling to Find Time for DIPIFR While Working Full-Time?

Suppose you're a busy finance professional in India or the Middle East. In that case, you're likely familiar with this scenario: after a long day at work, you open your DIPIFR study materials, only to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content, CBE practice, and the looming all-or-nothing exam. You wonder if there's a more manageable path to gaining IFRS expertise that fits your work-life balance.

You're not alone. Many professionals are searching for alternatives that offer:

• More flexible study schedules compatible with demanding jobs
• A practical, application-based approach rather than pure theory
• Modular learning instead of a single high-stakes exam
• Industry-specific content relevant to your daily work

This is why numerous finance professionals have switched from the DIPIFR to the AICPA IFRS Certificate program. Below are real experiences that might resonate with your own IFRS certification journey.

The IFRS Certification Dilemma

Choosing the proper IFRS certification can be career-defining for finance professionals in India and the Middle East. While ACCA's DIPIFR has traditionally been widespread, we've noticed an increasing trend of students across various sectors switching to the AICPA IFRS Certificate program after consulting with our advisors at Eduyush.

Here are the authentic journeys of professionals from different industries who made this switch and how it transformed their careers.

Priya Sharma, Delhi (March 2022)

Industry: Technology Consulting

 Background: Chartered Accountant working in the Technology Risk practice of a Big Four firm.

Initial Plan: DIPIFR

"I initially enrolled for DIPIFR in January 2022, but after struggling with the intensive study requirements alongside my client implementations of SAP financial modules, I started researching alternatives. Someone mentioned AICPA IFRS and its modular approach during a LinkedIn discussion about IFRS certifications. After comparing both programs, I decided to switch.

I completed AICPA IFRS in just 2 months, compared to my projected 4-5 month DIPIFR timeline. The time saved allowed me to pursue specialized training in Finance Transformation and Robotics Process Automation. By February 2023, I was selected to lead our firm's FinTech advisory services for startup clients – a role requiring IFRS knowledge and digital expertise. The modular approach of AICPA IFRS aligned perfectly with how we implement financial modules in technology projects."

Ahmed Mahmoud, Dubai (September 2022)

Industry: Retail & E-commerce

 Background: Finance Manager at a leading Middle Eastern e-commerce platform

Initial Plan: Was preparing for his second DIPIFR attempt after failing

"After failing my first DIPIFR attempt despite studying for over 180 hours, I was hesitant to invest another 3 months in preparation. While searching for DIPIFR study tips online, I stumbled across a comparison article between DIPIFR and AICPA IFRS on Eduyush's blog. The differences in learning approach caught my attention.

The modular approach was perfect for my busy schedule managing financial reporting for marketplace sellers. I finished the certification in 10 weeks while working 50+ hour weeks during our expansion phase. By April 2023, I was appointed Head of Seller Financial Compliance, where I applied my IFRS knowledge to develop standardized reporting templates for our 2000+ sellers across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. My compensation increased by 25%, and I now lead a team of six accountants focused on IFRS compliance for digital businesses.

Lakshmi Krishnan, Chennai (February 2023)

Industry: Pharmaceutical 

Background: Financial Planning Manager at a major Indian pharmaceutical company

Initial Plan: Was considering both certifications during the company's global expansion.

"As our company expanded global operations, I needed to understand IFRS quickly to support our international business units. At a pharma finance conference in Mumbai, I met several colleagues who had completed the AICPA IFRS program and recommended it for its industry-specific case studies.

The pharmaceutical case studies in the AICPA program perfectly aligned with our R&D capitalization challenges and revenue recognition for licensing arrangements. I completed the certification in 11 weeks, and by December 2023, I was appointed to lead our Global Reporting Harmonization Project. This role involves standardizing reporting across 30+ countries and requires deep IFRS expertise. The practical knowledge from AICPA IFRS helped me develop a pharma-specific IFRS implementation framework that our company now uses globally."

Fatima Al-Sayed, Riyadh (July 2022)

Industry: Islamic Banking 

Background: Senior Accountant at a central Islamic bank 

Initial Plan: Was halfway through DIPIFR preparation

"I struggled to align DIPIFR's theoretical approach with Islamic banking's unique challenges. During a webinar on IFRS for financial institutions, the presenter mentioned AICPA IFRS as an alternative with a more practical case-study approach. After researching both options, I decided to make the switch.

The flexibility allowed me to focus on IFRS 9 implementation for Sharia-compliant products, which was critical for our bank. I completed the certification in 8 weeks, and by March 2023, I was appointed to lead our Sukuk Reporting Team. This specialized role involves applying IFRS to Islamic financial instruments – a niche expertise that's highly valued. By September 2023, I represented our bank at the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) meetings, helping shape future standards. None of this would have been possible without the practical, applicable knowledge from the AICPA program."

Vikram Aditya, Bangalore (October 2022)

Industry: SaaS & Cloud Services 

Background: Financial Analyst at a leading Indian SaaS company 

Initial Plan: Had failed DIPIFR twice

"After two failed DIPIFR attempts costing me nearly 50K INR and 7 months of preparation, I was ready to relinquish IFRS certification entirely. A colleague recently joined an American tech company and recommended that I look into AICPA IFRS, which she had completed before moving to India.

The case study format perfectly matched our subscription revenue recognition challenges. I completed it in 7 weeks and immediately applied the knowledge to restructure our SaaS revenue reporting. The practical knowledge helped me develop our multi-currency, multi-entity consolidation system, which now serves as the backbone of our global financial reporting.

Ravi Mehta, Noida (November 2023)

Industry: Finance & Accounting Outsourcing 

Background: Assistant Manager at a leading Indian KPO serving global clients 

Initial Plan: Was planning to start DIPIFR

"Working in financial services outsourcing means constant deadlines and limited personal time. I was apprehensive about committing to DIPIFR's rigid study schedule and single exam format, especially with our quarterly closing cycles. While discussing this challenge with colleagues on an internal forum, someone mentioned they had completed AICPA IFRS in less time with a more flexible schedule.

What attracted me most was that I could study in small chunks between client deliverables. I completed one module at a time, often during my train commute or lunch breaks, finishing the entire certification in about 3 months. The practical case studies aligned perfectly with US and European client requirements, allowing me to immediately apply concepts to my ongoing projects.

Since completing the certification, I've been able to handle more complex client engagements involving IFRS conversions. My team lead has started involving me in client discussions about technical accounting matters—something previously reserved for senior managers. The knowledge has also made me more confident in suggesting process improvements for our international clients, gradually expanding my role beyond execution to advisory services.

Siddharth Verma, Gurgaon (August 2023)

Industry: Telecommunications 

Background: Finance Manager at a major Indian telecom company 

Initial Plan: Had registered and paid for DIPIFR

"I had my DIPIFR exam scheduled for June 2023 and had been preparing for months. Two weeks before the exam, our company announced an urgent merger with a regional carrier that required immediate financial due diligence. As the finance manager overseeing regulatory compliance, I couldn't delegate this responsibility.

I tried to reschedule my exam, but the rigid examination dates meant I would have to wait another six months and forfeit my nearly ₹25,000 exam fees. This frustrating experience made me reconsider whether DIPIFR's inflexible structure was compatible with the telecom industry's unpredictable nature.

While searching for alternatives, I discovered AICPA IFRS's modular approach and self-paced format. The ability to study and take assessments when my schedule allowed was precisely what I needed. I completed the certification over four months, working around multiple merger-related deadlines and a network expansion project.

The telecom-specific revenue recognition principles I learned have been particularly valuable as we navigate complex arrangements with MVNOs and infrastructure-sharing agreements. Rather than derailing my professional development by unpredictable work demands, I could continue building my IFRS expertise at a pace that accommodated my responsibilities. This experience has made me an advocate for flexible certification paths among my finance colleagues in the telecom sector.

Karthik Ramaswamy, Chennai (April 2022)

Industry: Banking 

Background: Chartered Accountant working as Assistant Vice President in a private bank 

Initial Plan: DIPIFR through ACCA

"Back in 2017, I registered with ACCA and received exemptions for my CA qualification at a discounted rate. However, I didn't pursue the ACCA qualification further as my career in banking took off. Five years later, in 2022, I needed an IFRS certification when being considered for a role in our bank's International Banking Division.

My first thought was to go for DIPIFR since I already had an ACCA account. However, when I approached ACCA, I discovered I would need to reactivate my account and clear accumulated membership fees before registering for DIPIFR. The total costs were significant: 159 GBP to renew and clear my membership dues, 143 GBP for the exam fee, and approximately ₹15,000 for tuition and study materials. This added up to around ₹45,000 before I could even begin studying.

This unexpected financial hurdle made me search online for alternatives. That's when I discovered the AICPA IFRS Certificate program. Not only was it a fresh start without legacy fees, but the total cost was more transparent, and the flexible schedule suited my work at the bank, which often involves month-end closures and quarterly reporting cycles.

I completed the AICPA certification in about 3 months, mainly studying on weekends. The banking-specific examples, particularly around financial instruments classification and impairment under IFRS 9, were directly applicable to my role. I secured the International Banking position and have been able to contribute effectively to our IFRS reporting requirements for our foreign operations. What started as a frustration with administrative fees ended up guiding me to a certification that better matched my learning style and professional needs

Sneha Patel, Mumbai (July 2023)

Industry: ESG & Sustainability Background: Audit Senior at a Big Four firm's ESG Assurance Practice Initial Plan:Was preparing for DIPIFR.

"With India's new BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) requirements, I needed to understand how IFRS and sustainability reporting intersect. During a LinkedIn poll about IFRS certifications, I noticed many sustainability professionals recommending AICPA IFRS for its practical application and more flexible learning format.

I completed the certification in 8 weeks, focusing on disclosure requirements relevant to ESG reporting. By January 2024, I was selected to join our firm's Global Climate Risk Financial Reporting team – a specialized group helping clients navigate the IFRS Sustainability Standards Board requirements. I now lead training sessions for our Asia-Pacific practice on the financial impacts of climate risks under IFRS. This niche expertise has positioned me as one of the few professionals bridging traditional IFRS and the new sustainability reporting standards – a high-demand skill set that would have taken years to develop through traditional paths."

IFRS course Time Investment: What Our Students Report

Based on feedback from hundreds of Eduyush students who've completed these certifications, here's the typical time investment:

ACCA DIPIFR:

• Average completion time: 3-5 months
• Study hours: 150-180 hours
• Format: One comprehensive final exam
• The pass rate among Eduyush students: 68% (vs. industry average of 45%)

AICPA IFRS:

• Average completion time: 2-3 months
• Study hours: 100-130 hours
• Format: Progressive modular assessments
• Completion rate among Eduyush students: 99%

LinkedIn Impact: Enhancing Your Professional Profile

Our students consistently report significant improvements in their LinkedIn profiles after adding AICPA IFRS certification:

• Average increase in profile views: 65-80%
• InMail inquiries from recruiters: 2x increase
• Interview invitations: 2x increase
• Quality of role opportunities: Positions with 15-30% higher compensation

Ahmed from Dubai noted: "The AICPA IFRS certification digital badge seems to trigger LinkedIn's algorithm in a way that makes your profile more visible to multinational recruiters."

Why Students Approach Eduyush for Guidance

As DIPIFR and AICPA IFRS course providers, we offer unbiased guidance based on individual needs. Students typically seek our advice when:

1. They're struggling with self-study for DIPIFR
2. They need a more flexible certification timeline
3. They want practical application rather than exam-focused learning
4. They're looking to enhance global career prospects
5. They've failed a previous DIPIFR attempt

Making Your Decision: Which Path Is Right For You?

While our student stories highlight the advantages many found with AICPA IFRS, we recognize that each professional's situation is unique. Here's our general guidance:

Consider AICPA IFRS if:

• You're balancing demanding work hours with studies
• You learn better through application than memorization
• You want a more flexible study schedule
• You're targeting multinational corporations
• You value the immediate application of knowledge

Consider DIPIFR if:

• You specifically need an ACCA-affiliated qualification
• You excel in traditional exam formats
• You're targeting UK-based opportunities
• You prefer focused, intensive study periods

Both Paths Lead to Success

At Eduyush, we offer comprehensive support for both certification paths. Our course materials, expert instructors, and personalized guidance have helped thousands of finance professionals enhance their careers through IFRS certification.

Whether you choose DIPIFR or AICPA IFRS, the important thing is selecting the path that aligns with your learning style, career goals, and life circumstances.

Ready to Begin Your IFRS Journey?

Contact Eduyush today for a free consultation to determine which IFRS certification best suits your unique situation. Our advisors will analyze your background, career goals, and learning preferences to recommend the ideal path forward.

Email: info@eduyush.com

WhatsApp: +919643308079

Eduyush - Guiding Your Financial Education Journey

Note: All student stories are based on real Eduyush students who completed their certifications in 2022. Names and some identifying details have been changed to protect privacy while maintaining the authenticity of their experiences.