20 Jun 2024
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is an international body recognized for accountants. ACCA has a worldwide presence across six continents and it impacts world finance; thus, it becomes a community with highly skilled individuals. This fact alone makes the ACCA course globally respected and employers across the globe desire to be led by finance teams comprising ACCA-qualified personnel.
Salary of ACCA professionals may vary based on location, years of experience, the industry they are in, or the career path they have chosen. Starting level packages for ACCA may range from about $3,000 to $5,000 per month (225,000 – 375,000 INR) while those at mid-level employees can extend up to $5,000 - $8,000 per month (75,000 – 600,000 INR). Salaries for ACCA in top management such as directors or finance managers can go beyond $10k per month (750,000 INR), particularly in major financial centers.
Over the past few years, the ACCA qualification has gained a lot of importance and recognition in India and other countries as well. In India, the ACCA qualification is the global equivalent to the Indian CA certification. The number of years of relevant experience an ACCA member has an overall and significant impact on their ACCA average salary in India. A normal Chartered Accountant in India makes an average salary of about INR 8.07 lakhs a year. Here are the details to better understand salary expectations and the factors influencing them:
Starting pay for ACCA in India can range from INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs per annum, depending on the employer and the nature of the job. Larger cities and multinational companies may offer the higher end of this spectrum, recognizing the global expertise that ACCA affiliates bring.
The average pay in India for an ACCA member starts from INR 6 lakhs to INR 15 lakhs annually as an average salary. After removing tax deductions and adding pay allowances translates into net monthly earnings ranging from INR 40,000 to INR 1,25,000.
ACCA salaries are primarily influenced by experience, location, and industry. Experience leads to higher pay, while salaries tend to be higher in developed countries and large cities. Industries like finance and consulting typically offer higher salaries compared to others. Here are the main factors influencing ACCA salary:
The professionals who have more experience in the field after earning their ACCA certification are likely to get paid more.
Big cities pay more, but living costs are higher too.
Pay for ACCA experts may be more competitive in some industries, like banking, consulting, and multinational corporations.
Particular positions inside the finance and accounting domain can have varying salary ranges. Senior positions and leadership roles will generally have higher salaries compared to entry-level positions.
The starting pay for a fresh ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) student in India is INR 5.5–11 lakhs per year while the senior positions can offer INR 19–30 lakhs per year. The salary varies depending on experience, job title, organization, industry, and location. For entry-level jobs the average salary is around INR 7.05 lakhs, mid-senior ones pay around INR 11.17 lacs, and for seniors, it is around INR 19 lakhs.
ACCA affiliate salaries could fluctuate significantly due to where they work, their level of experience, industry type, or job role. Normally, new ACCA affiliates who have completed the ACCA qualification but may not have secured any meaningful work experience should expect starting salaries that are on par with other entry levels in accounting, finance, or auditing.
Usually, however, these ACCAs tend to move into higher-paying jobs as they gain more experience and additional qualifications thus earning much better salaries in this field.
For entry-level positions, the average salary of an ACCA in India in India is ₨.5.5 – 11 lakhs p.a and for senior roles, it is ₨.19-30 lakhs per annum. The average salary of an ACCA member in India is:
There is room for immense career growth in ACCA despite whether your employer is one of the popular companies or not. If you have just cleared college and you are an ACCA affiliate, expect to earn around INR 4 - 6 lakhs/annum. With time as you continue with your experience in the field as well as your performance level progressions, it will increase. But if after completing school one can still become an ACCA member and work as a fresher then the starting salary of an ACCA fresher would be INR 6-8 lakhs/annum.
ACCA salaries abroad are determined by a myriad of factors including location, experience level and industry subsector. Nevertheless, the remuneration packages for ACCA-qualified professionals in major financial centers like London, Singapore, and Dubai are usually good enough to motivate them into lucrative careers such as accounting, auditing, and financial management.
The average ACCA salary in Switzerland is:
Switzerland is a top place to earn more as an ACCA member because of its stable political and economic environment, high wages, low taxes, and great lifestyle.
The pay of ACCA professionals working in Canada varies depending on the industry, experience level as well as location.
Ranging between CAD 40,000 to CAD 60,000 per year for novices on average.
People who pass through the Acca program can make between CAD 65,000 to CAD 90,000 annually after acquiring some experience.
The most common jobs at this level include Senior Accountant or Financial Manager or Director which could fetch around $100,000 or even more for top posts in leading companies.
Here is a breakdown of the average annual salaries for ACCA professionals in various countries.
Country |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
United Kingdom |
$40,000-120,000 |
United States |
$50,000-150-000 |
Australia |
$50,000-130,000 |
Canada |
$45,000-$110,000 |
Singapore |
$40,000-$100,000 |
United Arab Emirates |
$45,000-$150,000 |
India |
$20,000-$50,000 |
South Africa |
$20,000-$60,000 |
In conclusion, ACCA qualifications open a world of possibilities, not just in terms of global mobility but also in financial rewards. As we’ve seen, salaries for ACCA professionals vary widely across different countries, influenced by economic conditions, industry demands, and living costs. The advent of digitalization and automation further shapes the future of finance roles, emphasizing the importance of continual learning and adaptability.
The core determinants of salaries in ACCA are: -Experience: Higher salaries come with more experience. -Location: Developed countries and major cities generally offer higher wages. – Industry: Some industries, such as finance and consulting, pay higher than others.
ACCA vs CA earn the same salary packets in companies that employ both qualifications. Newbies earn wages that range from ₹6 to 8 lacs per annum when they become members of the respective professional bodies.
To decide between a CA and an ACCA qualification depends on one’s career dreams. If you are after to become a specialist in taxation, audit or compliance then go for CA. But if you want to be a versatile financial professional with much global exposure then prefer ACCA.
People who study for their ACCA often work with Big Four accounting firms. However, there is no need to wait until you have your qualifications because the big four —Deloitte, KPMG, PWC, and Ernst & Young—all offer school-leaver programs, internship programs, and graduate schemes.