The finance world offers multiple career paths, but two certifications stand out globally — CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Both are respected qualifications and can lead to international roles in finance and accounting. However, they differ in eligibility, curriculum, duration, and long-term career opportunities.
If you are confused about which one suits your goal, this CFP vs ACCA guide will help you make an informed decision.

What Is CFP (Certified Financial Planner)?

The Certified Financial Planner certification is awarded by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). It focuses on areas like personal finance, investment planning, retirement planning, and taxation. A CFP professional works directly with clients to optimise wealth and plan long-term financial goals.

To understand how personal finance careers differ from core accounting roles, explore 10 Best Accounting Courses in India. Key Highlights of CFP

Key Highlights of CFP

Category	Details
Full Form	Certified Financial Planner
Offered By	FPSB
Focus Area	Financial Planning, Investment, Taxation
Duration	1–1.5 years
Eligibility	10+2 (Entry) / Graduation (Challenge Route)
Exam Mode	Online
Global Recognition	25+ countries

Latest Updates
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• A Master Guide to the Best ACCA Courses Online

• ACCA Exam Subjects List: A Complete Course Details

• The Best Training Institute in India to Pursue ACCA: Find Out!

What Is ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)?

The ACCA qualification is one of the world’s most widely recognised accounting credentials. It focuses on IFRS, audit, taxation, financial reporting, and strategic finance. ACCA is accepted in over 180+ countries, opening global mobility for finance aspirants.

For a complete subject list, refer to ACCA Exam Subjects List: A Complete Course Details.

Key Highlights of ACCA

Category	Details
Full Form	Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Offered By	ACCA, UK
Focus Area	Accounting, Audit, Tax, Finance
Duration	2–3 years
Eligibility	10+2 with 65% in Accounts & English
Exam Mode	Online/Offline
Global Recognition	180+ countries

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• BCom with ACCA Qualification and Global Scope

• ACCA Salary in Dubai and Job Opportunities

• ACCA Salary in India and Other Countries     

CFP vs ACCA: Course Comparison

Parameter	CFP	ACCA
Course Duration	1–1.5 years	2–3 years
Eligibility	10+2/Graduate	10+2 (Commerce preferred)
Level	Certification	Professional Qualification
Exam Body	FPSB	ACCA UK
Global Reach	25+ countries	180+ countries
Difficulty	Moderate	High
Career Areas	Wealth Planning	Finance, Audit, Accounting
Avg Salary	₹4–8 LPA	₹6–12 LPA

For updated Indian salaries of ACCA professionals, check ACCA Job Opportunities & Salary for ACCA Certified in Different Locations.

CFP vs ACCA: Detailed Differences

1. Course Structure & Duration

CFP includes 4–5 modules focused on financial planning and wealth management.
ACCA includes 13 exams across Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional levels.

Want to understand how ACCA exemptions work? Visit ACCA Exemptions: Qualification Details & Exam Info Calculator.

2. Exam Pattern

CFP exams are MCQ-based and scenario-driven.
ACCA exams include MCQs, case-based questions, and long-form analytical answers.

To learn how ACCA students clear exams faster, check How to Pass ACCA Exam on the First Attempt.

3. Career Opportunities

CFP professionals work in:

• Wealth Management
  
  

• Personal Finance Advisory
  
  

• Retirement & Tax Planning

ACCA professionals work in:

• Big 4 firms
  
  

• MNCs & Corporate Finance
  
  

• Audit, Tax, and Risk roles

For deeper insights into accounting roles, explore Top 9 Highest-Paying Finance Jobs in Bangalore.

CFP vs ACCA: Career Scope in India

CFP Career Scope

CFP demand is growing in India due to rising investment awareness. Professionals assist in:

• Investment Planning
  
  

• Retirement Planning
  
  

• Tax Optimization
  
  

• Wealth Advisory
  
  

To explore related job paths, refer to Top Finance Courses After 12th Commerce.

ACCA Career Scope

ACCA-qualified professionals are highly valued by Big 4 firms, MNCs, and global corporations. IFRS expertise makes ACCA one of the most employable accounting qualifications.

Understand full ACCA career scope here: ACCA Career Scope in 2025.

Roles include:

• Financial Reporting
  
  

• Auditing
  
  

• Tax Advisory
  
  

• Strategic Finance
  
  

• Business Analysis

For more job insights, explore Career Options After ACCA Qualification.

Explore More (Internal Resources You May Like)

To understand deeper ACCA growth pathways, read ACCA Career Opportunities & Market Demand.

If you want structured guidance on selecting the right finance course after 12th, explore Best Career Options After 12th Commerce.

For students comparing ACCA with CIMA, refer to ACCA vs CIMA.

If your interest lies in wealth planning plus corporate finance, you can also read CMA USA vs CFA vs MBA in Finance.

More Related Topics

For ACCA job interviews, see ACCA Interview Questions 2025.

If you're exploring high-paying global finance careers, check Top 12 Highest Paying Jobs in Finance in India.

To compare accounting bodies, read ACCA vs EA.

If you want to understand tax-focused global certifications, explore EA Course Scope & Job Roles.

For clarity on ACCA eligibility, visit ACCA Course Eligibility Requirements.Final Guidance

Final Guidance

To understand how ACCA fits into long-term corporate roles like CFO, read Top Courses & Certifications to Become a CFO.

For accounting beginners looking to enter the ACCA route, explore Are You a Fresher in Accounting?.

If planning Big 4 careers, check How to Get a Job in Big Four Firms.

To compare global MBA and accounting courses, refer to CA vs MBA in Finance.

If you want high-level career direction in finance, read Top High-Demand Accounting & Finance Courses.

For advanced planning insights, check CFA Course for Finance Professionals.

CFP vs ACCA: Salary Comparison

To compare more global accounting paths, explore ACC A vs CPA USA: Which Is Better for Your Career.
CFP vs ACCA: Global Recognition

• CFP is recognised in 25+ countries, mostly for personal finance roles.
• ACCA is recognised in 180+ countries, making it one of the most globally accepted accounting qualifications.
• To see how ACCA compares with other global accounting courses, read ACCA vs CFA vs FRM. CFP vs ACCA: Which Is Easier?

• CFP has a lighter syllabus and focuses more on concepts.
• ACCA is more technical, with deeper coverage of IFRS, audit, taxation, and reporting.
• For a clear difficulty comparison of global finance certifications, refer to CFA vs CMA.

CFP vs ACCA: Which One Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your goals:

If You Want To…	Choose
Work in wealth management or advisory	CFP
Work in audit, accounting, or finance with MNCs	ACCA
Start your own consultancy	CFP
Work abroad in corporate finance	ACCA
Build client-based careers	CFP
Join Big 4 firms	ACCA

For those comparing multiple global accounting routes, read CMA USA vs CPA vs ACCA.

CFP vs ACCA in India: Which Has More Demand?

Currently, ACCA has the wider demand due to IFRS adoption and global MNC growth.

CFP is also rising in India’s wealth management sector as financial literacy increases.

For understanding ACCA’s growing relevance, check Why Do ACCA After CA: Top 5 Reasons.

To explore career opportunities in accounting, refer to Top Accounting Jobs in India.

Conclusion

Both CFP and ACCA are excellent certifications, but the choice depends entirely on your goals.If you’re passionate about investments and wealth planning, choose CFP.  If your dream is to work with global companies or Big 4 firms, choose ACCA.To learn how ACCA can boost your international opportunities, read How Do ACCA Exam Work & Job Opportunities After ACCA.

NorthStar Academy offers expert ACCA coaching with flexible batches, mentoring, and placement support. 👉 WhatsApp 'Hi' to +91 8147470505 for personalised ACCA guidance.

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• Top Institutes to Pursue ACCA Coaching in India

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