Best IFRS Certification Course. Top Picks

Best IFRS Certification course for 2024-2025

Choosing the right IFRS certification course is a crucial step for finance and accounting professionals. Whether you’re an accountant, financial analyst, or finance professional, mastering the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) can enhance your global mobility, increase your job prospects, and solidify your expertise in international financial standards.

This blog compares three of the most popular IFRS certification courses: ACCA Diploma in IFR, AICPA IFRS Certification, and ICAEW IFRS Program. Each has unique features, and by understanding the pros and cons of each, you can select the course that aligns best with your career goals.

Where Should You Pursue IFRS Certification?

Selecting the right IFRS certification course is crucial for advancing your career in global finance. We recommend choosing programs offered by internationally recognized accounting bodies like ACCA, AICPA, or ICAEW for several compelling reasons:

• Global Mobility: Certifications from these reputable organizations are highly regarded by recruiters worldwide, allowing you to pursue opportunities across borders quickly.
• Global Skill Benchmarking: These programs are developed with input from global CFOs and industry leaders, ensuring your skills remain relevant and aligned with current international standards.
• Trust and Familiarity: Employers, especially those in multinational firms, trust certifications from these respected bodies. This recognition can significantly improve your chances of securing well-paying, reputable positions.

These accounting bodies offer online courses, making it convenient to complete the certification from anywhere in the world.

Why Avoid Non-Authorized Certification Providers?

While many local institutes offer IFRS certifications, these often need more global recognition than established accounting bodies provide. Here’s why it’s essential to choose a course from a recognized authority:

• Lack of Global Authority: Non-authorized providers need more authority to issue certifications that hold international recognition, which can limit your career prospects.
• Reduced Impact on Job Search: Recruiters frequently prioritize certifications from global accounting bodies when searching LinkedIn or job boards, increasing the chances that non-recognized certificates may be overlooked.
• Perception of Inadequacy: Certificates from local tuition partners are sometimes seen merely as participation certificates, which may not be valued by employers looking for credible qualifications.

Opting for IFRS certification from a globally recognized body ensures that employers will trust your credentials worldwide, enhancing your professional credibility and marketability.

Which is the best institute for IFRS certification?

We looked at various accounting bodies like AICPA, ACCA, CMA, CFA and CIMA and have picked the top 3 Global Authoritative Accounting bodies issuing the IFRS certification. (updated as of August 2024)

All three bodies have a very similar curriculum and are aligned to the latest International financial reporting standards issued. Each has its pros and cons; we give you a brief overview of each of these certifications.

Also read the best US GAAP certification in the world

ACCA Diploma in IFRS (DIPIFR) U.K.

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. ACCA issues certificates in IFR (CertIFR) and Diploma in IFR (DIPIFR). The ACCA DIPIFR is obtained by passing a three-hour exam held twice a year, while the ACCA CertIFR is obtained by passing an MCQ of 60 questions. We recommend the ACCA DIPIFR as the better of the two. 

Key takeaways of diploma in IFRS

• Global Recognition: Accepted in 100+ countries.
• Exam Format: The case study-based, 3-hour computer-based exam, held twice a year, is designed to challenge and engage your analytical skills and knowledge of IFRS.
• Eligibility : C.A. or any finance professional with 3+ years of work experience in INDAS, GAAP or IFRS. We dont recommend this for B.com or CMA students unless they have prior knowledge on INDAS or IFRS
• Investment: - Time 150 -250 hours, Total cost INR 32,000 (all fees including training and ACCA fees)
• Watch a Video below to understand how Eduyush will help you.

IFRS Eligibility Got You Confused? Here's What You Need to Know About ACCA Diploma

• Eduyush expert recommendation: Eduyush Recommendation: This course is ideal for CAs or those with a strong foundation in accounting standards. It's perfect if you can invest the necessary time, but it's less suitable for beginners.

IFRS Certification After BCom: AICPA vs. ACCA 

AICPA IFRS certificate program.

The Association of Internationational Certified Public Accountants. AICPA (U.S.) issues the IFRS certificate program with ifrs.com. The AICPA is the world's largest accounting body. The AICPA IFRS certification is obtained by passing assessments in over 25 modules and scoring 70% in each module. This is a dual certificate of AICPA and CIMA 

Key takeaways of AICPA IFRS course

• Global Recognition: Accepted in 180+ countries, with high recruiter acceptance.
• Exam Format: Self-assessment, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), no case study required.
• Eligibility: Open to all finance professionals, no specific qualifications required.
• Investment: - Time 40 -80 hours, Total cost 1345 USD (INR 110,000), avail it at India pricing at INR 34,000.
• Eduyush expert recommendation: This is the best course if you want to avoid a formal exam process and need a global certification. Its flexibility and quick certification process make it ideal for busy professionals. The ability to renew your licence every two years makes it the best certification for long term career goals.

ICAEW (U.K) IFRS learning and assessment programme

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has an IFRS certificate program. Students need to take an online assessment from hundreds of random simulated questions. 

Key takeaways

• Recognition - United Kingdon
• Exam: - Self-assessment online
• Exam location: - Online
• Passing criteria: - 60% with multiple retakes within one year
• Format of paper: MCQ (60 questions to be completed within 2 hours)
• Eligibility: No entry requirements
• Investment: - Time 70 -100 hours, Total cost 450 GBP (INR 48,000)
• Recruiter acceptance: UK
• Eduyush expert recommendation: Ideal for students who are planning to work in the U.K. or the E.U. as recruiter impact is higher. The course structure is well laid out and gives you clear and concise foundational knowledge.

While there are many BIG 4, like KPMG, PWC, EY, and Deloitte, which issue the IFRS certifications, these are good. 

But when it comes to investing your time and effort, the certificates issued by the Global Accounting bodies will get you better global recruiter endorsement and salaries. 

Eduyush’s Recommendation on the best IFRS certificaiton course

We recommend choosing between ACCA or AICPA based on your career goals and time availability:

• ACCA: Ideal for Chartered Accountants upto 7 years of experience who have a strong accounting background.
• AICPA: Best for finance professionals who need flexibility and prefer to avoid lengthy exams. AICPA’s dual certification (with CIMA) is a great bonus for global recognition.

Still unsure which is right for you? Contact Eduyush today for personalized guidance on the best IFRS certification to match your career path.

Closing comments:

So if you are looking for an IFRS certification that will give you global mobility and help you benchmark your skills against the best in the world, look no further than one of the Global Authoritative Accounting Bodies. Our team at Eduyush is here to help you find the right course and start your journey to becoming a globally recognized accountant.

Don't forget to discuss choosing which one of these accounting bodies is right for you - it could be the difference between landing your dream job or not.