The decision between CA and CMA ultimately depends on individual interests, skills, and professional goals. CA offers a more rigorous course with a focus on accounting and finance, providing global recognition and a wider range of employment prospects. On the other hand, CMA focuses on cost and management accounting, offering specific knowledge in cost management, budgeting, and decision-making. To make the right choice, students should assess their interests, talents, and career objectives.
CA vs CMA Difference – Key Takeaway
The main difference between CA (Chartered Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) lies in their focus: CA emphasizes audit, taxation, and regulatory compliance, while CMA focuses on management accounting, strategic financial management, and decision-making support. Each qualification offers distinct career paths suited to different aspects of accounting and finance. This is the main CA vs CMA Difference.
Overview of the CA Course
Chartered Accountancy Course (CA) is a globally in-demand professional course.Chartered accountants work in all fields of business and finance, including auditing, taxation, financial and general management. Some are engaged in public practice work, others work in the private sector and some are employed by government bodies.
CA Full Form:
Chartered Accountancy
Fees:
The CA course’s prices vary according to the Institution and course level. The total CA course fees might range between 2 and 3 lakhs rupees on average.
CA Course Exam Conducting Body:
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
CA Course Exams:
Foundational Exam
Intermediate Exam
Articleship
Final Exam
CA Course Admission Routes:
Foundation Course or Direct Entry
CA Course Eligibility Criteria:
Foundation Route: After Class 12
Direct Entry Route: Graduation
CA Areas of Employment:
Audit, Taxation, Banking, Finance, Management etc.
CA Job Profiles:
Accountants, Finance Managers, Accounting Managers, Business Analysts, Chartered Engineers, etc.
CA Average Salary:
The estimated total pay for a Chartered Accountant is ₹11,50,000 per year, with an average salary of ₹10,00,000 per year.
CA Top Recruiters:
KPMG
Deloitte
Ernst & Young (EY)
Lodha & Co.,
PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) etc.
The Steps To Become CA
Foundation Course
Articleship
Register for articleship (practical training) under a practicing Chartered Accountant for 3 years after passing the CA Foundation or Intermediate exams.
Intermediate Course
Clear the CA Intermediate exams conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) after 8 months of study.
Articleship Completion
Complete at least 2.5 years of articleship to qualify for the CA Final exams.
CA Final Course
Prepare for and pass both groups of the CA Final exams, which include theoretical and practical aspects of accounting and auditing.
General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS)
Complete GMCS training during articleship or after passing the CA Final.
Membership
Apply for membership with ICAI after fulfilling all requirements, including passing the exams and completing articleship, to become a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Overview of the CMA Course
The Institute of Cost Accountants, commonly known as ICMAI, offers a CMA course. Some people term the course with CMA full form, that is Cost and Management Accounting. Earlier, the CMA course was known as CWA. CWA full form was Cost and Works Accounting. The course administering body in India was the same back then; however, ICMAIwas formerly known as the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI). If a student is interested in managing the accounts of numerous departments in a company, and integrating them to help streamline costs, then the ICWA course is just right for an individual. The CMA course duration is three years with or without formal training.
CMA Full Form:
Cost and Management Accounting.
Fees:
The fees are approximately Rs 1,00,000.
CMA Course Exam Conducting Body:
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
CMA Course Exams:
Foundational Exam
Intermediate Exam
Final Exam
CMA Course Admission Routes:
Foundation Course or Direct Entry
CMA Course Eligibility Criteria:
Foundation Route: After Class 12
Direct Entry Route: Graduation
CMA Areas of Employment:
FinancialAnalyst,Management Accountant,Senior Accountant,Cost Accountant,Financial Risk Manager,Corporate Controller,Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
CMA Job Profiles:
Management Accountant,Corporate Controller,Cost Accountant,Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Budget Analyst etc.
CMA Average Salary:
₹ 3.6 Lakhs to ₹ 10.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 4.0 Lakhs.
CMA top recruiters:
Amazon,Accenture,Gail,Indian oil corporation,ICICI bank, vedanta, nestle, wipro etc.
The Steps To Become A CMA
Enroll in the CMA Program.
Study for and pass the CMA exam.
Meet education or professional certification requirements.
Meet work experience requirements.
Comply with IMA ethics standards.
Fulfill continuing education requirements.
Difference Between CA vs CMA – Detailed Comparison
Below is the detailed comparison of CA vs CMA
Areas
CA Programme
CMA Programme
Admission
A person needs to give entrance for a CA Foundation course after 10+2.
Or there is a direct entry route for graduates.
Students after successfully qualifying the 10+2 exam can enroll themselves in the CMA Foundation course. They don’t need to appear for any entrance exam.
Year of formation
Established in 1854 in Scotland
CA Course structure
The CA course structure has been divided into three levels:
CA Foundation
CA Intermediate
Articleship training
CA Final
CMA course structure
The CMA course structure has been divided into three levels
CMA Foundation
CMA Intermediate
CMA Final
Duration
The complete duration of the CA course is 4.5 years including articles
ship training.
The complete duration of CMA course is a minimum of 3-4 years.
Salary
A Chartered Accountant just after passing out can receive an average salary of around 6-7 lakhs. Whereas, candidates who have passed CA exams in their first attempt can receive up to 10-12 lakhs.
Salary of Rank holders can go above 25 lakhs.
The average salary received by CMA is Rs. 5-7 lakhs which increases over time.
Careers prospects
Job options for CA
Statutory audit.
Advisor in direct or indirect taxation
Financial and accounting management
System audit
Handling the company's legal matters etc.
Job options for CMA
Cost Accounting
Financial Analyst
Accounting Manager
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) etc
Demand in Market
Chartered Accountants can be hired by companies as well as individuals. There's a very high demand for CA’s in the market.
Only large scale companies need to appoint CMA’s. Hence, their demand is very limited.
CA vs CMA Salary in India
In India, Chartered Accountants (CAs) typically earn higher salaries than Certified Management Accountants (CMAs). Fresh CAs can expect starting salaries ranging from INR 6 to 8 lakhs per annum, with potential to rise to INR 20 to 50 lakhs or more for senior roles like CFO. In contrast, fresh CMAs usually start at INR 5 to 7 lakhs per annum, with mid-level roles earning between INR 7 to 12 lakhs and senior roles reaching up to INR 15 to 30 lakhs per annum. Industry, location, and company size significantly influence these salaries, with CAs generally having a broader range of higher-paying opportunities.
Career Opportunities After CA Course
After becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA), numerous career opportunities open up across various sectors and roles. Here are some prominent career paths
Public Accounting
Roles: Auditor, Tax Consultant, Financial Advisor
Responsibilities: Providing audit and assurance services, tax planning and compliance, financial consulting.
Firms: Opportunities in top accounting firms like the Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and other mid-sized or boutique accounting firms.
Corporate Sector
Roles: Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Responsibilities: Managing financial operations, strategic financial planning, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Industries: FMCG, Manufacturing, IT, Pharmaceuticals, Banking, and more.
Banking and Financial Services
Roles: Investment Banker, Risk Manager, Credit Analyst
Responsibilities: Analyzing financial risks, providing investment advice, managing corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions.
Employers: Commercial banks, investment banks, financial advisory firms.
Consulting
Roles: Management Consultant, Business Analyst
Responsibilities: Providing strategic advice on business operations, financial restructuring, and performance improvement.
Firms: Consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and financial advisory divisions of the Big Four.
Government and Public Sector
Roles: Auditor in Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), roles in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
Responsibilities: Auditing government accounts, financial oversight of public sector enterprises.
Opportunities: Jobs in various government departments and state-owned enterprises.
Academic and Research
Roles: Lecturer, Researcher
Responsibilities: Teaching accounting, finance, and related subjects, conducting research in financial management and accounting practices.
Institutions: Universities, business schools, professional training institutes.
Career Opportunities After CMA Course
After obtaining the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification, individuals can pursue various career opportunities in management accounting, financial planning, and strategic decision-making. Here are some prominent career paths:
Management Accounting
Roles: Cost Accountant, Management Accountant
Responsibilities: Budgeting, cost management, internal financial reporting, and decision support.
Industries: Manufacturing, FMCG, healthcare, and more.
Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
Roles: FP&A Analyst, FP&A Manager
Responsibilities: Financial planning, forecasting, variance analysis, and strategic planning.
Employers: Large corporations, MNCs, and financial services firms.
Corporate Finance
Roles: Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Responsibilities: Financial strategy, investment analysis, capital budgeting, and managing corporate finance functions.
Industries: IT, telecommunications, retail, and other sectors.
Internal Audit and Compliance
Roles: Internal Auditor, Compliance Officer
Responsibilities: Conducting internal audits, ensuring compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements.
Employers: Corporates, financial institutions, and public sector enterprises.
Cost Management
Roles: Cost Controller, Cost Analyst
Responsibilities: Analyzing and controlling costs, improving cost efficiency, and implementing cost-saving initiatives.
Industries: Manufacturing, construction, and other cost-intensive industries.
Financial Reporting
Roles: Financial Reporting Manager, Financial Accountant
Responsibilities: Preparing financial statements, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and external reporting.
Employers: Public companies, MNCs, and large private firms.
Conclusion:
Choosing between Chartered Accountant (CA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) largely depends on your career aspirations and interests. If you aim to specialize in auditing, taxation, and financial reporting, the CA qualification is the better choice. It offers a comprehensive understanding of various accounting principles, law, and regulations, making it suitable for roles in public accounting firms, corporate finance, and regulatory bodies. CAs are also authorized to sign and audit financial statements, giving them an edge in compliance and regulatory roles. However, the CA path is more rigorous and time-consuming, typically requiring 4-5 years to complete, including practical training and highly competitive exams.
On the other hand, if you are interested in management accounting, strategic planning, and decision support, the CMA qualification might be more appropriate. CMAs focus on internal business functions, financial planning, and performance management, making them ideal for roles such as financial analyst, controller, and FP&A manager. The CMA course can be completed in a shorter time frame (1-2 years) and offers greater flexibility, allowing candidates to work while studying. While CMAs may have slightly lower earning potential compared to CAs in some regions, their expertise in strategic financial management makes them valuable assets in various industries worldwide. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your career goals and the specific areas of finance and accounting you wish to pursue.
FAQs on CA vs CMA
Can we do CA and CMA articleship together simultaneously?
No, CA and CMA articleship cannot be done simultaneously as they require full-time commitment and different sets of practical training under respective professional bodies (ICAI for CA and IMA for CMA).
What are the benefits of doing CA along with CMA?
Which offers more pay, CA or CMA?
Which course has more opportunities CA or CMA?
