CMA USA vs ACCA UK Comparison Guide for 2025

NorthStar Academy’s is an exclusive institution for Commerce and Finance, with massive experience in helping the aspirants to get a prosperous career in their field of preference Finance and Commerce.

Headquartered in Bangalore, NorthStar Academy extends proper training services and guidance to help the students to construct a powerful foundation for their careers in the field of Management, Finance, and Accounting.

Known for delivering the best CMA, ACCA, EA, CPA courses and has gained glory in the area of coaching since it has groomed over 15,000 students.

Certified Management Accounting (CMA)

CMA USA course is amassing endless popularity among Commerce students who want to stabilize their career in the field of Finance, Costing, and Management Accounting. It is the best management accounting course in the world.

Its prestige has bought forth so many learners under its umbrella. It unlocks a gateway to different opportunities to outshine your Finance career.

US CMA is deemed to be the gold standard in management accounting and it is formulated to meld accounting strategies with business acumen. It is extraordinary from other courses as it focuses on management accounting as well as financial management.

And CMA USA has over 100 examination centers and requires you to clear two exams (each of 4 hours duration) to get certified.

CMA USA Eligibility

Attaining the reputable CMA USA certification from an overseeing country like the USA would enable you to obtain international exposure as well as international qualification. It leads to career growth and development. An opportunity to untangle abroad and discover skills to strengthen, along with a career.

To pursue the CMA USA program and to gain certification, two exams are needed to be qualified.

The CMA USA is a computer-based examination and provides 4 hours duration with 100 MCQ questions as well as two 30 minute essays.

Association OF Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

ACCA course is one of the promising accounting certification courses. It has vast experience in training and educating students for a long time. This furnishes students with the skills, knowledge, and values to gain success in their careers and command the organizations they work in their future.

This profession wraps all regions of business, from financial statements, management accounting, business taxation & law to audit and also business ethics.

NorthStar delivers the best ACCA course and world-class education with a short budget, which is rare. And the students who completed this course are recognized as one of the best accountants.

Key Differences Among CMA USA And ACCA

There are several distinctions between CMA USA and ACCA. Let’s sneak a glimpse at some of them.

• Global Presence — if we correlate through International recognition, ACCA is recognized in the UK and Europe wide. Whereas CMA USA is majorly accepted in India, UAE, Canada and USA.
• Salary difference — there is a slight difference in salary for CMA USA & ACCA qualified. As we mentioned above, A CMA USA qualified earns Rs.400,000 as a fresher. Whereas, an ACCA-qualified fresher earns up to Rs.600,000/-. When you have both CMA USA + ACCA UK you tend to earn a very good position and can draw a salary of about Rs.700,000 — Rs.15,00,000 per annum.
• Pass percentages — the pass percentage for CMA USA is easier as it is near 40–50%. Whereas for ACCA it’s 45–50%. a few subjects might even go lower.
• Fees — Overall investment for CMA USA would be Rs.150,000 whereas overall investment for ACCA would be Rs.350,000+

Read More

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• CMA USA vs CFA vs MBA in Finance | Which one you should choose

Primary differences between CMA USA and ACCA — Fees, Salary, Investment & Countries applicable

CMA USA

ACCA UK

Number of Exams

2

13

Duration

6–9 months

3–4 years

Exam type

100 MCQ + 2 Essay

50% MCQ + 50% descriptive

Exam Window

Jan- Feb, May-June, Sept — Oct

Mar, June, Sept & Dec

Salary (Fresher) INR

400,000 onwards

600,000 onwards

Total Exam Fee

$600 — $900

$1900 — $2000

Average training cost

Less than 100,000

More than 250,000

Designations

Finance Analyst, Controller

Accountant

Countries Accepted

India, Middle East, Canada & USA

United Kingdom & Europe

Detailed Comparative Table (CMA USA vs ACCA)

Particulars

ACCA

CMA USA

Organized by

ACCA is organized by the Global Body of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

CMA is organized by ICMA (Institute of Certified Management Accountants). ICMA is affiliated by IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)

Mode/ duration of exams

The first 3 are for 2 hours duration and the rest for 3 hours duration. 50% being MCQ and 50% being descriptive.

Two exams, each of 4 hours duration with 100 MCQs and 30-minute essay questions.

Eligibility

1. Applied after 12th passed in the commerce field.

2. 12th must be passed with 2 subjects by 65% and other of them should be 50%.

3. Later 3 years of work experience is required.

4. Currently 12th or passed out 12th is the eligibility.

5. Later on Bachelors and 2 years of work experience is required.

Number of levels and exams

ACCA requires clearing 3 levels. And a total of 13 exams.

CMA USA requires clearing only 1 level which contains 2 exams.

Subjects

Knowledge Level:

F1. Accountant in Business

F2. Management Accounting

F3. Financial Accounting

Skills Level:

F4.. Corporate and Business Law

F5. Performance Management

F6.. Taxation

F7. Financial Reporting

F8. Audit and Assurance

F9. Financial Management

Essentials Level:

P1.Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

P2.Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

Options:

P3. Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

P4. Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

P5. Advanced Taxation (ATX)

P6.Advanced Performance Management (APM)

Part one :

1. External Financial Reporting Decision

2. Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

3. Performance Management

4. Cost Management

5. Internal Controls

Part two :

1. Financial Statement Analysis

2. Corporate Finance

3. Decision Analysis

4. Risk Management

5. Investment Decisions

6. Professional Ethics

Duration of the course

ACCA can be finished from 3–3.5 years.

CMA can be finished from 6 months to 9 months.

Why Choose CMA USA?

The CMA USA unlocks gates into the business world. More than 40,000 learners in 40 years have pursued CMA. This professional course in the accounting domain is highly reputed, advanced, and globally recognized which ascertains mastery in making financial decisions for the business.

CMA USA directs students not only from developing countries as well as students from developed countries.

It has aspirants from all over the world, who choose to outshine their careers in Finance field.

With an incredible history of placements, CMA USA is readied with skills and proficiency. The qualified person will be considered an expert and feel dignified.

CMA USA certification extends compensation and high earnings with international exposure.

Why Choose ACCA?

ACCA is an internationally recognized course with more than 436,000 scholars who are great examples and proof of why anyone should pursue this course.

ACCA renders a global degree within a voyage of 3 years. Furthermore, the fee for this course is satisfactory for students to pursue within a limited budget.

ACCA has an incredible international dignity and is a much susceptible course in the finance domain.

Conclusion

In case you’re looking down to settle in the UK or any part of Europe then ACCA would be a good choice. If you’re planning to settle down in India, Middle east, Canada and USA — CMA USA is the best choice. If you’re an Accounting and Auditing person, good to go for ACCA. If you’re into Management Accounting and Finance then CMA USA would be the best choice for you.

It’s a common question asked by many people who are looking to pursue their careers in the finance sector. Both of these courses are highly competitive and difficult to crack.

There is no doubt that the US CMA program is one of the top most programs in the entire world, while ACCA is considered one of the most prestigious accounting degree programs in the world.

NorthStar Academy is the best institute for CMA USA and ACCA preparation. Our aim is to prepare students with the right perspective and attitude towards learning.

We have designed our curriculum according to the needs of candidates who wish to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or any other management accountancy certification program.

Is your choice between a career in CMA USA and ACCA? It can be hard to choose, so why not have a counselling session with an expert? Connect with our expert counsellors to know the key differences. +918147470707 or drop down your query here to get a call back.

Originally published at NorthStar Academy