ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant vs CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track)
| Factor | ✅ ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant | CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ACCA | IMA |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam Cost | £89–£143 per exam | $415–$830 |
| Pass Rate | ~48% | ~45% |
| Avg Salary | £40K–£80K | $85K–$130K |
| Difficulty |
Very Hard
★★★★★
|
Very Hard
★★★★★
|
| Best For | Accounting professionals seeking global recognition across UK, Asia, Africa, and Middle East. | Accountants and finance professionals in FP&A, corporate accounting, and managem… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at accaglobal.com | Check imanet.org |
| Full Guide | View guide → | View guide → |
Which Should You Choose?
The right certification depends on your current role, target employer, geography, and the specific skills gap you're trying to close. Here's a practical breakdown:
✅ Choose ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require ACCA credentials, or you're already working within the ACCA ecosystem. The ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant carries the strongest recognition among ACCA customers and partners, and its salary premium of £40K–£80K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) if…
You're targeting organisations in the IMA ecosystem, or the CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $85K–$130K. Issued by IMA (imanet.org). The CMA is the leading credential for management accounting, FP&A, and c…
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant
Strengths
- ✓Issued by ACCA — one of the most trusted credential authorities in Accounting
- ✓Salary premium of £40K–£80K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of £89–£143 per exam — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 7 core domains including: Financial Reporting (FR), Strategic Business Reporting, Audit & Assurance
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately ~48% — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Mid-level — assumes foundational domain knowledge
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at accaglobal.com
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →