Which is better?

[magilligan]

I am about to start training as an accountant and wondered if anyone knows what the difference is between ACA and ACCA? Is one better than the other? Does one pay better than other? etc etc.

Thanks.

[Hermit]

As I recall from working with them about 10 years ago, one is the chartered assoc of certified, the aca isstraightforward chartered assoc and the difference probably depends on who you ask. Its like the difference between a uni and a poly, in theory none. In practice big snobbery. It used to be that aca had most kudos because u needed a degree to do it, acca was more on the job. Also i think there were a few things acca couldn't do re plc's or something but that could have changed.

[Miss-taken]

As an accountant I for once feel more than qualified to answer this question!

Nowadays there is little difference between the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants(ACCA) and The Association of Chartered accountants(ACA).

The ACA is a UK qualification whereas ACCA is international and so much more valid a qualification abroad (which is good if you want to work overseas at some point!)

The ACCA is much more flexible with regard to how many, when and where you wish to take your exams and it also covers a lot wider syllabus (people managment, project management, costing etc) than the ACA. The ACCA also give you options as to which subjects you want to specialise in such as tax and audit.

Pay wise there is no difference but you may find its your employer that chooses which you do rather than you - they both cost a lot of money to do!

(I'm ACCA by the way!)