ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA)
ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA)
Confusion and comparison pave a good way to get hold of some results. That would not have made it possible, the other way round.
Professional courses, add value to your skills and personality. But which one should you opt for? Ever found yourself in a confusing state of picking between Medical and Biotechnology? Designing and development? ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA)?
With ever-evolving business and trade tastes, we bring better insights. In the case of confusion between ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA), read this full.
Why the comparison?
Add some value-added accomplishments to your skillset. Fighting all the odds to know which one would be best is going to be helpful.
Looking forward to doing this for your stream of business, finance and accounting? Drawing a line of comparison between ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA) might prove helpful.
What is ACCA (UK) and CPA (USA)?
ACCA or Association of Certified Chartered Accountants is a Chartered Accountant degree. This comes from the Association of Chartered Accountants. With its headquarters situated in London.
CPA or Certified Public Accountant has its headquarters in America. The degree comes from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Both are well-known degrees in finance. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or (AICPA) is the largest Accounting Body across the world. ACCA or Association of Certified Chartered Accountants provides their degrees. These are globally accepted.
Now you know why the comparison is tough and so much needed!
ACCA UK Vs CPA USA at a glance!
| S.No | Criteria | ACCA | CPA |
| 1. | Stream | ACCA helps with an advanced module of Finance. | CPA helps with modules of Accountancy. |
| 2. | Work Experience | 1-2 years | 3 years |
| 3. | Qualification | A minimum of graduation.Has two entry points:
a.ACCA Foundations in Accountancy b. ACCA Qualification |
A minimum of 4 years bachelor’s degree. Requires 150 credit hours of higher education, equal to 5 years of full-time study. |
| 4. | Which is tougher? | Depends on what you consider to be difficult. | Depends on what you consider to be difficult. |
| 5. | Recognised in | UK and Commonwealth countries | The US and anywhere with US regional offices |
| 6. | Pass Rate | About 55% | Around 45-55% |
| 7. | Time Duration | 3-4 years | Within 12 to 18 months |
| 8. | Course Material | Get textbooks from the exam administrator, follow a syllabus, and study. | State boards do not provide any courses or study materials. Candidates prepare for the exam, on their own. |
| 9. | Course Kind | It is a program. | It is a qualifying exam. |
| 10. | Ethics and Professional skill module | It is a must. | It is necessary for a few states only. |
Apart from all that is above, a little more about the exam content and pattern.
| S.No | Criteria | ACCA | CPA |
| 1. | Exam divisions | The division is into papers that are as follows:
1. Accountant in Business 2. Management Accounting 3. Financial Accounting 4. Corporate and Business Law 5. Performance Management 6. Taxation 7. Financial Reporting 8. Audit and Assurance 9. Financial Management 10. Strategic Business Leader 11. Strategic Business Reporting 12. Advanced Financial Management 13. Advanced Performance Management 14. Advanced Taxation 15. Advanced Audit and Assurance |
It has 4 parts.
1. Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) 2. Audit & Attestation (AUD) 3. Regulation (REG) 4. Business Environment & Concepts (BEC). |
| 2. | Exam Mode | Partially Computerized | Completely Computerized |
For ACCA, the division is well categorized. From the course list, the first three come under Applied Knowledge. Subjects from 4 to 9 are Applied Skills. 10 and 11 come under Strategic Professional – Essentials. The Strategic Professional – Options (complete 2) are from 12 to 15.
Whether it is about ACCA or CPA, both are helpful in their terms. The thing is how we are aiming and practising to appear for these exams. As we mentioned above, it is difficult to conclude, which one is tougher.
Both of these qualifications are helpful, no doubt. With so many things happening, one best way to invest in oneself is to keep one updated in skills and knowledge.
The only way to know which one is for you is by knowing in which field or stream you want to make your career. ACCA will help you with the fields of Accounting, taxation, Auditing, and Finance. CPA will help you with Auditing, taxation, Management Accounting, Handling accounts, etc.
Willing to know more about how to pick the best subjects for your career? Or want to know more about ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants)? Head on to our website for more help on topics like these.
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