Comments on: Certified Accountant Vs. Chartered Accountant

By: mossad

mossad — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:15:00 +0000

Your article needs some correction regarding ACCA. You described ACCA as an arm of management accounting which is not true because they are allowed by the charter status bestowed upon them by Queen to perform Audits in the UK ( 1 I know about) similar to what a CA can do. However you are right about CIMA that they can’t do statutory audits.

By: Ubie

Ubie — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:23:00 +0000

I’m a second year accounting student in south africa but im doing general accounting which means i cant become a chartered accountant. but what i want to know is would it be possible for me to get into the ” operational and managing the business kind of accounting” with just a basic accounting degree or should i change while i still can?

By: PJ Johns

PJ Johns — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:59:00 +0000

I beg to differ. Not everyone can read and follow instructions. It never ceases to amaze me how true that fact is. And a trial lawyer better know the law or the judge will be recommending disbarrment for incompetency. The education required to sit for the CPA exam and the Bar in order to become licensed is not to be taken lightly as you have done here. Experience is grand but without the proper education it can be dangerous and costly when mistakes are made.

By: Commie B

Commie B — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:22:00 +0000

They can both sign off on financial statements and conduct audits. The only thing an ACA can do that an ACCA can’t is be unnecessarily arrogant – otherwise, for all accounting purposes, they are both chartered and certified and have the same authority.

By: JohnJoe

JohnJoe — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:02:00 +0000

Can anyone tell me is there anything that a ACA qualified accountant has the authority to do that a ACCA qualified accountant does not?

I have been led to believe that a ACA accountant can “sign off” accountants whereas the ACCA cannot.

Can this be clarified by anyone?

Thanks.

By: Bolshie

Bolshie — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:28:10 +0000

There is no difference between ACCA and ACA/CA in the real world. In the UK, the competition for training positions are fierce, and some of the trainee contracts given out to students to study CA (chartered accountant) is largely due to luck nowadays – more to do with fit than academic calibre. You could satisfy the entrance requirements and still not get a contract as CA. They are very few and far between, even more so in Scotland. And for the record, ACCAs are chartered accountants too. It stands for Chartered certified accountants. All CCAB bodies are of equal status and prestige, and are chartered in the UK. It is largely ignorant of those who perceive that one is better than the other. How can one say, ‘yeah, they can’t call themselves chartered’; it is in the name for goodness’ sake. They are basically just two different brands. 20 years ago CA was the superior qualification. Nowadays, there is no distinction. Just look at big four in the UK, they give the choice of which qualification you want to do.

By: Ajmal baig

Ajmal baig — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:22:47 +0000

In my views, knowledge is power, whatever you do, ACA or ACCA, just do it. Both are recognised qualification, of course. No one should waste his/her time just investigate which one is upperhand or which is better. I have seen successful ACA and Very successful ACCA practicing Accountants.And fact it, ACA’s are snobs and envy from ACCA’s globalisation, they do not want to let someone else in their fort.

By: Commie B

Commie B — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:34:56 +0000

Fastest growing is never proof of good quality – just better marketing and sales.

ACCAs success has not left the ICAEW much choice but to recognize the ACCA. ICAEW qualified accountants generally are snobs – they believe they were the originators of accounting as we know it. Again, it is simply because association with an institution allows one to have a chip on their shoulder, even if what they’ve learnt is absolut rubbish. I can write a book on the pathetic politics of accounting in the UK, but really, who gives a shit.

By: S/J.A

S/J.A — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:49:01 +0000

Hmm..

But ACCA is the fastest growing and biggest accountancy body? Any idea why is this?

Even ICAEW has a mutual recognition for ACCA people. Does that mean at the top echelons of ICAEW they have respect for the qualification and the common FCAs are snobs?

Just wondering!

By: Commie B

Commie B — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:11:14 +0000

Where do you want to practice Yashwant?

By: Yashwant Jain

Yashwant Jain — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:00:35 +0000

Hi,
I am a fresh commerce graduate and in the delima to pursue which accounting qualification? C.A (Chartered accountant), CPA or ACCA.

Currently I am also working with a chartered firm and want to enhance my accounting and auditing knowledge for my better prospect.

Can you guide me on this please.

Waiting for your kind response.

By: Commie B

Commie B — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:19:29 +0000

Sorry lauren, not that good with Aussie accounting, but I trust it’s the same as in the UK. Absolutely NONE. Do the one that market themselves better as that will get you a better career; education wise there isn’t much to learn in accounting anyway!