ACCA Vs CS: Which Course Has A Better Scope?
As youngsters, we all thought that crunching numbers and working as an Accountant is a profession ideal for nerds. But now the world is evolving at a rapid pace and so are the finance and accounting professions. Today, we have prestigious accounting courses that not offer exciting challenges but also global opportunities. Two of these emerging professions are ACCA and CS. If you’ve heard about these courses and are not sure which one to pick between ACCA vs CS based on your course duration, difficulty level, scope and salary, then we are about to simplify it for you with some of the common differentiations.
ACCA vs CS : Which is Better?
What is ACCA?
ACCA or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a globally recognized accounting course accepted in more than 180 countries. This UK-based course can be completed in a year or two based on your learning pace or the exemptions you’ve gained. ACCA equips students with hardcore accounting concepts like taxation, auditing, strategic business reporting, financial reporting, etc. Since Chartered Accountancy concepts are taught from a global perspective, the candidate gains the right skills to become a Global Chartered Accountant.
What is CS?
CS or Company Secretary is an extensive course in accounting that’s gaining immense popularity due to its demand. This course requires you to play a mediator between the company’s board of directors, stakeholders, government bodies and other parties involved. The Company Secretary course is an India-based course with a duration of almost three years. Offered by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), this course equips you with financial, accounting as well legal knowledge.
Top Differentiating Factors Between ACCA vs CS
| Differentiators | ACCA | CS |
| Full Form | Association of Chartered Certified Accountants | Company Secretary |
| Organizing Body | Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Body, UK | The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
| Levels | ACCA course has about 3 levels, namely-
Applied Knowledge Applied Skills Professional Level |
CS course has about 3 levels, namely-
Level 1:Foundation course (only for undergraduates) Level 2: Executive Program Level 3: Professional Program |
| Course Duration | 6 to 24 Months | 2 to 3 years |
| Maximum Number of Exemptions Available | You can get up to 9 exemptions for ACCA on completion of your CA course which means you only have to appear for 4 papers. | Students who have completed their Cost Accounting course can avail of a full exemption from their Foundation Level |
| Minimum Eligibility Criteria | To be eligible to register for ACCA qualification, students should have qualified their 10+2 examinations with an aggregate of 65% in Mathematics / Accounts and English, and a minimum of 50% in other subjects. | To register for the Foundation Level for the Company Secretary degree you need to pass your 10+2 exams.
For the Executive level, the minimum eligibility is CSEET or Graduation/ foundation program. |
| Difficulty Level (Average Passing Percentage) | The ACCA passing percentage fluctuates between an average of
30% to 40% Difficulty level: Moderate |
The average passing percentage of the CS course fluctuates between
10% to 40% Difficulty level: High |
| Exam Fees | Approximately INR 1,90,000 | Approximately INR 29000 |
| Job Profiles | Job profiles you can consider after completing ACCA
Financial Accountant Management Accountant Corporate Treasurer Financial Controller Finance Manager |
Job profiles you can consider after completing the CS course:
Company Registrar Chief Administrative Officer Tax Management Officer -Corporate Planner Corporate Policymaker Legal Advisor Principal Secretary |
| Average salary | 7 to 18 LPA | 6 to 10 LPA |
| Countries Recognized | 180+ Countries | Recognized in Singapore, UK, Hong Kong, Malaysia |
ACCA vs CS: Which Course Has A Better Scope?
ACCA and Company Secretary, both professions have a wide scope. However, if you consider global recognition and the salary offers you can gain worldwide, ACCA takes the cake. ACCA as a course majorly deals with accounting and the global challenges related to the field of accounting. CS on the other hand has a mix of finance, accounting and legal concepts.
The demand for both of these professions is extremely high, as every company today requires an ACCA or a CS to manage their finances, international transactions and cash flows.
Final Thoughts on ACCA vs CS
While both these courses are extremely prestigious and offer a handsome compensation, the answer lies in your interest level and what you enjoy doing. If the answer is crunching numbers and facing accounting challenges at a global level then the answer is ACCA. However, if you enjoy managing legal financial matters, being the link between the company and its stakeholders, maintaining the statutory registers, and preparing and issuing the notice board and general meetings, then we are sure you are going to be the right fit for the Company Secretary course.
The ACCA qualification is recognized in over 180 countries including Canada, Singapore, and Australia. If you’ve made the decision to become a global CA and are contemplating your next move, we can help you take a step forward. Check out our Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course to learn more.
In case you are looking for more global opportunities and wish to choose ACCA as your professional degree then you need a Platinum-Approved Learning Partner to boost your career progression. And by that, we mean Zell Education. To complete your ACCA course with us click on the WhatsApp button to get in touch with our experts directly.
FAQ
Which course is easier, ACCA or CS?
In terms of difficulty, the Company Secretary course has lower passing rates than the ACCA course. Which in turn signifies that CS is more difficult than ACCA
Which is a better combination: ACCA+CS or ACCA+CMA?
According to most professionals, ACCA + CMA has turned out to be a better combination due to the combination of accounting and management skills one gains.
Can a CS student do ACCA?
Yes, you can pursue ACCA after CS. However, you will receive an exemption from only one paper.
