Menu

Note. Scroll up to view more topics.
Home Contact Us
STUDY SKILLS
Skills of effective study Making study-notes Group Discussion How to concentrate Developing interest in study Making preparation for exam Test Taking Strategies How to relieve Exam stress? Time Management for studies Attempting Computer-based Exam How to sharpen your brain? Causes of failure in Exam Exam-format-wise Preparation Parents’ Role in Child’s Education How to improve memory power?
ENGLISH BASICS
Noun and its Types Countable and Uncountable Nouns Clause Types of Clauses Phrase Types of Phrases Phrase & Clause - Difference Verb - Formation & forms of Verbs Main Verb and Auxiliary Verb Transitive and Intransitive Verb Adjective Comparative and Superlative Adverb - Use & Formation Types of Adverb Pronoun Types of Pronoun Prepositional Verb Coordinating & Subordinating Conjunctions English Tenses Active & Passive Voice Direct & Indirect Narration
TEST PREPARATION
IELTS Exam Preparation Guide CSS Exam, Pakistan NTS Test (NAT-I, II & GAT) GRE General Test MCAT - Medical College Aptitude Test
Entertainment - Funny Jokes
Related Topics
ACCA CIMA Foundation Degree CA - Chartered Accountancy

Difference between ACCA and CIMA

ACCA and CIMA qualifications are both professional qualifications in the field of accountancy and finance and are highly regarded by employers across the globe. Both qualifications offer rewarding careers in spheres such as finance, audit, budgeting, revenue and taxation, industry, commerce, banks, and similar setups.

What is the difference between ACCA and CIMA? This question often confuses students intending to pursue a career in accountancy and finance. This article highlights all the major differences between both qualifications and provides guidance for choosing ACCA or CIMA for academic and professional careers.

The contrasting and matching aspects of both programs are as follows:

ACCA	CIMA
ACCA is administered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) UK. Its headquarters are in London, United Kingdom, and it has offices and partners in many countries.	CIMA is administered by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) UK. Its headquarters are in London, United Kingdom, with global presence.
Exams are conducted by ACCA UK.	Exams are conducted by CIMA UK.
Qualification consists of 13 exam papers divided into three levels.	Qualification consists of 14 professional objective tests and 3 integrated case study exams, across three professional levels plus a foundation level.
Focuses on technical accounting, audit, taxation, financial reporting, corporate law, and professional skills.	Focuses on management accounting and business strategy, leadership, planning, risk management, and strategic decision making.
Practical work experience is not compulsory, though PER is required for full membership.	Three years of practical experience is compulsory (PER).
Exams have specific windows (Applied Skills and Professional levels held quarterly).	Objective tests are on demand; integrated case studies are quarterly (Feb, May, Aug, Nov).

Eligibility Differences for Admission

ACCA (Global)	CIMA (Global)
Typically requires at least two A Levels and three GCSEs (or international equivalents), including English and Mathematics. Students can start via ACCA’s foundation offering (Foundations in Accountancy) without A Levels.	O Level/Matriculation or equivalent A Level/Intermediate Undergraduate or graduate degree in any discipline Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA or MBA) may qualify for fast track entry and exemptions Note: Exemptions vary based on prior study and are granted by ACCA or CIMA following review.

ACCA (Global)

CIMA (Global)

Typically requires at least two A Levels and three GCSEs (or international equivalents), including English and Mathematics.
Students can start via ACCA’s foundation offering (Foundations in Accountancy) without A Levels.

O Level/Matriculation or equivalent
A Level/Intermediate
Undergraduate or graduate degree in any discipline
Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA or MBA) may qualify for fast track entry and exemptions

Note: Exemptions vary based on prior study and are granted by ACCA or CIMA following review.

Exemptions

ACCA	CIMA
Students with relevant prior qualifications (e.g., business/finance degrees) may be eligible for exemptions, typically reducing the number of exams — potentially up to nine papers from Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels.	Students with relevant professional qualifications (ACCA, MBA, accounting degrees) may get exemptions from some objective test exams. High-level qualifications can accelerate entry to professional levels.

Differences in Program Structures of ACCA & CIMA

ACCA Program Structure: ACCA comprises 13 exam papers (as at 2026):

Level / Paper	Subjects
Applied Knowledge (3)	Business and Technology Management Accounting Financial Accounting
Applied Skills (6)	Corporate and Business Law Performance Management Taxation Financial Reporting Audit and Assurance Financial Management
Strategic Professional (4)	Strategic Business Leader Strategic Business Reporting Two optional papers from: Advanced Financial Management Advanced Performance Management Advanced Taxation Advanced Audit and Assurance ACCA plans to reduce total papers to 11 from 2027; in 2026, the 13-paper structure remains.

Level / Paper

Subjects

Applied Knowledge (3)

Business and Technology
Management Accounting
Financial Accounting

Applied Skills (6)

Corporate and Business Law
Performance Management
Taxation
Financial Reporting
Audit and Assurance
Financial Management

Strategic Professional (4)

Strategic Business Leader
Strategic Business Reporting
Two optional papers from:
- Advanced Financial Management
- Advanced Performance Management
- Advanced Taxation
- Advanced Audit and Assurance

ACCA plans to reduce total papers to 11 from 2027; in 2026, the 13-paper structure remains.

CIMA Program Structure:

Level / Paper	Subjects
Certificate in Business Accounting	BA1 – Fundamentals of Business Economics BA2 – Fundamentals of Management Accounting BA3 – Fundamentals of Financial Accounting BA4 – Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law
Operational Level	E1 – Organisational Management P1 – Management Accounting F1 – Financial Reporting and Taxation Operational Case Study
Management Level	E2 – Project and Relationship Management P2 – Advanced Management Accounting F2 – Advanced Financial Reporting Management Case Study
Strategic Level	E3 – Strategic Management P3 – Risk Management F3 – Financial Strategy Strategic Case Study

Exam Format & Scheduling

ACCA	CIMA
Computer based exams (CBEs) at all levels. Quarterly exam sessions for most papers outside Applied Knowledge (March, June, September, December).	Objective tests on demand year-round. Case study exams held four times a year: February, May, August, November.

Practical Experience Requirement (PER)

ACCA	CIMA
Students must complete PER to achieve full ACCA membership. Relevant work experience is recorded during progression and is flexible.	Requires minimum three years of relevant practical experience to achieve membership status.

Recognition & Career Focus

ACCA is broader in scope with strong emphasis on accounting, audit, tax, and external reporting roles.
CIMA is more focused on strategic management accounting, business analysis, planning, and decision‑making roles — often leading to leadership and management positions.

Both qualifications are globally recognised and valued by employers, but they serve slightly different career trajectories within finance and business.

Fees and Cost - Difference

Exact fees vary by region, year and tier but the following are given for general guidance:

ACCA Fees

Description	Fee 2025
Registration Fee	£ 45
Annual Subscription Fee	£ 58
Paper fee (Applied Knowledge)	£ 100 per paper
Paper fee (Applied Skills)	£ 111 per paper
Strategic Professional - Strategic Business Leader	£ 190 per paper
Strategic Professional - Strategic Business Reporting	£ 140 per paper
Strategic Professional - Optional Papers	£ 140 per paper

CIMA Fees

Description	Fee 2025
Registration Fee (once)	£ 77
Annual Subscription Fee	£ 120
Certificate in Business Accounting (per paper/exam)	£ 85
Operational Level - Per Paper	£ 100
Operational Level - Integrated Case Study	£ 180
Management Level - Per Paper	£ 115
Management Level - Integrated Case Study	£ 180
Strategic Level - Per Paper	£ 165
Strategic Level - Integrated Case Study	£ 255