After becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India, many professionals wonder, “What’s next?” While CA offers strong recognition within India, it may not carry the same weight internationally. That’s where the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification steps in — a globally respected program discussed in detail in our guide on why do ACCA after CA.

Pursuing ACCA after CA can open global career doors, enhance your professional credibility, and provide expertise in IFRS, international taxation, and financial management. You can also explore broader global mobility insights in the blog on ACCA exemptions.

This blog explains why ACCA after CA is a powerful combination, covering eligibility, exemptions, duration, benefits, career scope, and FAQs to help you make an informed choice.

What is ACCA?

After becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India, many professionals wonder, “What’s next?” While CA offers strong recognition within India, it may not carry the same weight internationally. That’s where the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification steps in — a globally respected program discussed in detail in our guide on why do ACCA after CA.

Pursuing ACCA after CA can open global career doors, enhance your professional credibility, and provide expertise in IFRS, international taxation, and financial management. You can also explore broader global mobility insights in the blog on ACCA exemptions.

This blog explains why ACCA after CA is a powerful combination, covering eligibility, exemptions, duration, benefits, career scope, and FAQs to help you make an informed choice.

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Why CA Professionals Choose ACCA

Chartered Accountancy (CA India) builds expertise in Indian taxation, Companies Act, and Indian GAAP. However, as businesses globalize, finance professionals need international knowledge too. You can also compare both worlds in this detailed ACCA vs CA vs CPA analysis.

Here’s why ACCA is a logical next step after CA:

🌍 Global Recognition: ACCA is accepted across 180+ countries — detailed further in our blog on ACCA job opportunities and salary.

💼 IFRS Expertise: CA focuses on Indian accounting standards (Ind AS), while ACCA trains you in IFRS and global reporting.

💰 Higher Pay Potential: CAs with ACCA earn 30–40% higher in MNCs and cross-border finance roles.

🎓 Shorter Duration: You get up to 9 exemptions — reducing your study time to 1–1.5 years. Learn more from the ACCA exam dates and fees guide.

🔄 Flexible Exam Schedule: Quarterly exam sessions make it easy for working CAs to study part-time. You may also refer to the updated ACCA exam pattern 2025.

Eligibility to Pursue ACCA After CA

If you’ve already completed CA from ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), you are eligible for direct entry into ACCA with several exemptions. For those switching careers, you may also explore broader paths like career options after ACCA.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must hold a CA qualification from ICAI.
  
  

• Should have completed 10+2 education.
  
  

• No age limit.
  
  

• Recommended: Some working experience in finance or audit.
  
  

This eligibility overview aligns with the detailed coverage in our ACCA course eligibility guide.

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• ACCA Salary in India and Other Countries     

Exemptions for CA Professionals in ACCA

One of the biggest advantages of pursuing ACCA after CA is the number of exam exemptions you receive. You can also calculate them precisely using the ACCA exemptions calculator blog.

ACCA Level	Subject	Exemption for CA Qualified
Applied Knowledge Level	3 Papers	Exempted
Applied Skills Level	6 Papers	Exempted
Strategic Professional Level	4 Papers	Need to Attempt

✅ Total Exemptions: 9 out of 13 papers
✅ Papers to Attempt: Only 4 (All at Strategic Professional Level)

To understand how ACCA compares with other global qualifications, explore ACCA vs CFA vs FRM.

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ACCA Course Duration After CA

Since CA-qualified professionals are exempted from 9 papers, they can complete ACCA within 1 to 1.5 years, depending on their preparation and work schedule. You can also see the broader course structure in the ACCA course full form & career blog.

Category	Duration	Details
CA Qualified	1–1.5 years	Exempted from 9 papers
CA Inter	1.5–2 years	Exempted from 6–9 papers
Non-CA Graduate	2.5–3 years	Need to complete all 13 papers

With four exam sessions (March, June, September, December) per year, you can plan to attempt two papers per session and finish quickly. Refer to the ACCA 2027 syllabus update for future roadmap alignment.

Course Structure for CA Professionals

As a CA, you need to complete only the Strategic Professional Level of ACCA. A detailed subject overview can also be found in the ACCA exam subjects list.

Essentials (Compulsory Papers):

• Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
  
  

• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
  
  

To prepare effectively for these, refer to additional guides like the ACCA AFM exam guide.

Options (Choose Any 2):

• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
  
  

• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
  
  

• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
  
  

• Advanced Audit & Assurance (AAA)
  
  

To explore how ACCA connects with broader professional paths, see the guidance on how to become an auditor.

ACCA Course Fees After CA

Since you’re exempted from 9 papers, the total ACCA course fee is significantly reduced. The table below explains the typical cost breakdown. For exam-related updates, read the ACCA exam dates and fees guide.

Fee Component	Approx. Cost (INR)
Registration Fee	₹8,000 – ₹10,000
Exemption Fee (per paper)	₹10,000 – ₹12,000
Exam Fee (per paper)	₹12,000 – ₹15,000
Training & Coaching	₹1.2 – ₹1.5 Lakhs
Total Estimated Cost	₹2 – ₹2.5 Lakhs

💡 Tip: Join a platinum-approved learning partner like NorthStar Academy for structured learning and mentoring support. You can explore training-related resources like top institutes to pursue ACCA coaching.

Read More

• Career Options After ACCA Qualification : What You Need to Know
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Key Benefits of Doing ACCA After CA

1. Global Career Opportunities

ACCA-qualified professionals can work in 180+ countries including the UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore, and Australia. Many Indian CAs use ACCA as a bridge to migrate or take overseas roles in Big 4 or multinational corporations. For more detailed job insights, read the blog on job opportunities after ACCA.

2. Dual Qualification = Higher Credibility

CA + ACCA is a powerful combination. It shows you understand both Indian and international financial systems, which employers highly value. You can further compare ACCA with other qualifications in the blog on ACCA vs CPA USA.

3. Strong Edge in IFRS

While Indian CA covers Ind AS, ACCA dives deep into International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), giving you an edge in global finance and audit firms. You may also explore broader subject trends in the ACCA syllabus update 2027.

4. Shorter Completion Time

With 9 exemptions, you can complete ACCA in under 18 months, even while working full-time. For faster completion strategies, see the guide on how to pass ACCA on the first attempt.

5. Better Salary & Growth

CAs with ACCA credentials earn ₹15–25 LPA on average in India and even higher in international postings. Broader salary comparisons can be found in the ACCA salary & job opportunities overview.

6. Work Flexibility

Many ACCA professionals work remotely or in hybrid roles for international clients, thanks to global demand for IFRS specialists. Learn more about ACCA employer insights in the blog on how ACCA exams work & job opportunities.

Career Opportunities After ACCA + CA

Once you complete both CA and ACCA, you become eligible for high-level global accounting and finance roles. You can further explore ACCA’s global scope in the blog on top 10 ACCA job roles.

Top Job Roles:

• Financial Analyst
  
  

• IFRS Consultant
  
  

• International Tax Advisor
  
  

• Statutory Auditor
  
  

• Risk & Compliance Manager
  
  

• Group Financial Controller
  
  

• Business Analyst
  
  

• CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
  
  

You may also refer to detailed qualification comparisons like CMA vs CPA vs ACCA to understand career choices.

Top Hiring Companies

Deloitte
PwC
EY
KPMG
BDO
Grant Thornton
Accenture
Genpact
JP Morgan
Barclays

To prepare professionally for these roles, check out ACCA interview questions 2025.

Salary Comparison: CA vs CA+ACCA

Qualification	Average Salary (INR)	Job Type
CA (India)	₹7–12 LPA	Domestic accounting/audit roles
CA + ACCA	₹15–25 LPA	Global & cross-border finance roles
CA + ACCA (Abroad)	₹30 LPA+	MNCs & international assignments

👉 Conclusion: Combining CA and ACCA nearly doubles your earning potential and opens up global roles. Broader comparisons can be found in CA vs ACCA salary guides.

ACCA vs CA: Key Differences

For a deeper understanding of how ACCA compares globally to CA, refer to the detailed analysis in ACCA vs CA vs CPA.

Aspect	CA (India)	ACCA (UK)
Governing Body	ICAI	ACCA Global
Recognition	India	180+ Countries
Duration	4.5 – 5 years	2 – 3 years
Focus Area	Indian GAAP, Taxation	IFRS, Global Standards
Exam Attempts	2 per year	4 per year
Flexibility	Fixed schedule	Flexible & online
Global Mobility	Limited	High

To explore each route in-depth, you may refer to comparison blogs like ACCA vs CIMA.

Challenges in Pursuing ACCA After CA

While beneficial, there are a few challenges to consider:

• Exemption Cost: You must pay exemption fees for the 9 papers.
  
  

• New Learning Curve: Shifting from Indian GAAP to IFRS concepts may take time.
  
  

• Workload Management: Working CAs must plan study hours wisely.
  
  

• Exam Rigor: ACCA exams test practical and strategic thinking, not just theory.
  
  

To prepare for difficulty levels and exam changes, refer to the ACCA exam pattern update 2025.

However, with proper planning and expert mentorship, these challenges are easily manageable.

Best Way to Pursue ACCA After CA

To complete ACCA smoothly and quickly, follow these steps:

1. Apply for Exemptions

Submit your CA certificate to ACCA Global. You can check exemption details again using the ACCA exemptions guide.

2. Register for Remaining Papers

Pay for 4 papers at the Strategic Professional level. For syllabus clarity, visit the ACCA AFM exam guide.

3. Join a Trusted Coaching Institute

Choose an approved partner like NorthStar Academy for flexible online or offline batches. Learn more in this detailed blog about the best training institute in India to pursue ACCA.

4. Create a Study Plan

Attempt 2 papers per session to finish within 1 year. You can also follow guidance from the first-attempt ACCA clearing guide.

5. Gain Practical Exposure

Use your existing CA experience for ACCA’s Practical Experience Requirement (PER). Career pathways are also covered in the top 10 ACCA job roles.

Conclusion

Pursuing ACCA after CA is one of the smartest career moves for Indian finance professionals. It not only builds your global accounting expertise but also improves your earning potential, recognition, and international mobility.

If your dream is to work in top global firms or move abroad with a strong accounting profile, CA + ACCA is the ideal combination. To prepare effectively, refer to the top institutes to pursue ACCA coaching.

WhatsApp “Hi” to +91 8147470505 for Expert Guidance from NorthStar Academy and get your personalised ACCA plan, exemption help, and coaching support from India’s top mentors.

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