USA

CIMA or ACCA, which is better? This is a common question, but not so easy to answer. If you are more interested in the business side of accounting, and would like to gain essential management expertise, then CIMA will better prepare you for this role. ACCA, on the other hand, focuses more on advanced taxation principles and external auditing procedures, which means ACCA graduates are better prepared for working either independently or in private firms in finance-specific practice. Which qualification is harder, CIMA or ACCA? The CIMA qualification is more demanding, as it does not let you move forward until you pass one set of exams, compared with ACCA which allows you to study towards multiple sets of exams simultaneously. This qualification is more challenging overall, and for this reason, it is highly respected by employers. What are my career options? Graduates of the ACCA qualification go on to become financial accountants, auditors, and tax advisors, whereas typical job titles for CIMA holders include business manager, financial analyst, and financial director.