Compare · ACCA vs CIMA
ACCA vs CIMA: Which Should You Choose?
The short answer
Choose ACCA if you want a broad accountancy qualification covering financial reporting, audit and tax, with roles in audit firms, reporting and international finance. Choose CIMA (CGMA) if you want a management-accounting and business-strategy route into industry. ACCA requires 36 months of practical experience; CIMA requires at least three years of verified experience.
Choose ACCA if…
You want audit, financial reporting, tax or Big 4 roles.
Choose CIMA if…
You want to specialise in management accounting and business strategy.
· Sources
ACCA vs CIMA at a glance
| Criteria | ACCA (UK) | CIMA / CGMA (AICPA & CIMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | ACCA — Association of Chartered Certified Accountants | CIMA — Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, part of AICPA & CIMA |
| Designation | ACCA membership (FCCA for fellows) | ACMA or FCMA membership plus the CGMA designation |
| Focus Area | Financial reporting, audit, tax, financial management, plus strategy and leadership | Management accounting, business strategy, performance and risk |
| Structure | 13 exams across Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional, plus the Ethics and Professional Skills module | Optional Certificate in Business Accounting, then Operational, Management and Strategic levels: 9 objective tests + 3 case study exams |
| Exam Format | Computer-based exams; Applied Knowledge on demand | Objective tests are multiple choice; one case study exam per level |
| Exam Scheduling | Four sittings a year (March, June, September, December); Applied Knowledge on demand | Case study exams four times a year; via Pearson VUE at test centres or online |
| Experience Requirement | 36 months of practical experience (PER) | Minimum 3 years of verified practical experience in a relevant role |
| Exemptions | Assessed by ACCA — qualified Indian CAs can get up to 9 exemptions | Assessed individually by CIMA after you register |
| Global Fin X Coaching | ₹8,000–₹15,000 per paper, plus ACCA fees | Not offered by Global Fin X |
| Best For | Audit, financial reporting, tax, Big 4 and international finance careers | Management accounting, FP&A, business partnering and strategy roles in industry |
This compares the current ACCA structure. Exam fees, exemptions and rules are set by ACCA and CIMA and change — confirm on accaglobal.com and aicpa-cima.com.
What is the main difference between ACCA and CIMA?
ACCA is a broad chartered accountancy qualification that includes audit and tax; CIMA is focused on management accounting and business strategy, leading to the CGMA designation.
ACCA’s exams build from accounting fundamentals to Strategic Business Reporting and Strategic Business Leader, with audit and tax papers along the way. That makes it suitable for audit firms and financial reporting roles as well as industry.
CIMA’s qualification runs through Operational, Management and Strategic levels. Each level combines multiple-choice objective tests with a case study exam that simulates a management-accounting role in a business.
How do the exams and experience requirements compare?
ACCA has 13 exams plus an ethics module and 36 months of experience; CIMA has 9 objective tests and 3 case study exams plus at least three years of verified experience.
ACCA’s Applied Knowledge exams can be taken on demand; Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams run in four sittings a year. CIMA’s case study exams are offered four times a year, at Pearson VUE centres or online.
Both bodies let you gain experience alongside your exams rather than in a fixed articleship.
What does ACCA cost with Global Fin X?
ACCA tuition at Global Fin X is charged per paper, from ₹8,000–₹15,000 depending on the level, with ACCA’s registration and exam fees paid separately to ACCA.
Exemptions reduce the cost: each exempted paper is one you do not pay tuition or exam fees for. Global Fin X does not coach CIMA; CIMA’s fees are published by AICPA & CIMA.
Which is better for jobs in India?
For audit, financial reporting and Big 4 roles, ACCA is the closer fit; for management-accounting and business-partnering roles in industry, CIMA is designed for that work.
Deloitte India became an ACCA Approved Employer in November 2025, and our salary guide shows sourced pay data for ACCA holders and finance roles in India.
Who should choose which?
Choose ACCA if…
- You want audit, financial reporting, tax or Big 4 roles.
- You want a broad qualification that covers both practice and industry.
- You want Applied Knowledge exams on demand and four sittings a year for the rest.
- You hold a CA, CMA India or commerce background that may earn exemptions.
Choose CIMA if…
- You want to specialise in management accounting and business strategy.
- You are aiming for business-partnering, FP&A or performance-management roles in industry.
- You like case-study assessment based on realistic business scenarios.
- You want the CGMA designation alongside CIMA membership.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACCA or CIMA better?
How many exams are in CIMA?
Do ACCA members get CIMA exemptions?
How much experience do ACCA and CIMA require?
Ready to start ACCA?
Global Fin X teaches every ACCA paper online with recorded lectures, notes and exam-standard question practice. Check your exemptions first to see how many papers you need.
Sources
- AICPA & CIMA — CGMA designation
- AICPA & CIMA — Operational level
- AICPA & CIMA — Exemption calculator
- ACCA — Important dates
- ACCA — Future ACCA Qualification timeline
Last reviewed by Sai Manikanta Pedamallu, ACCA, CMA · October 2026. Requirements and fees set by these bodies change, so always confirm on their official sites.