ACCA Salary in India 2025: Average Earnings, Ranges, and Career Insights

ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, is one of the most respected financial qualifications in the world. In India, it has become increasingly popular among finance professionals seeking better remuneration and opportunities to work abroad. However, the key question is: What is the ACCA salary in India? Understanding the earning potential can help professionals choose the right career path.

ACCA offers opportunities to fresh graduates as well as experienced professionals aiming for higher positions. In this blog, we will discuss the ACCA salary in India, the factors that can impact their earnings, and what professionals can actually expect at each level.

Table of Contents:

• What exactly is ACCA?
• Average ACCA Salary in India: Entry, Mid, and Senior Levels
• Key Factors Influencing ACCA Salary in India
• ACCA Salaries in Major Indian Cities
• Top Industries Hiring ACCA Professionals
• ACCA Salary at Top Companies in India
• ACCA Salary in India vs Other Countries
• How to Become an ACCA: Education, Skills, and Certifications
• ACCA vs. CA, CFA, CPA, CMA: Salary Comparison in India
• Career Path and Promotions for ACCA in India
• Future Salary Trends for ACCA in India

What exactly is ACCA?

ACCA is a globally recognized professional qualification in finance and accounting. It is offered by ACCA Global, a UK-based professional accounting body. Widely recognized in over 180 countries, the course opens numerous career opportunities for students and professionals in various fields. 

ACCA-qualified professionals also have the flexibility to work with MNCs across the globe. After completing ACCA, professionals are valued by employers for their technical expertise, strategic thinking capabilities, and ethical judgment.

Average ACCA Salary in India: Entry, Mid, and Senior Levels

Experience plays a significant role in determining how much an ACCA-qualified professional will get paid. The average ACCA salary in India depends on experience, typically ranging from ₹4 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs per year.

Generally, there are three types of experience levels: entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level. Let’s break down each with the average salary range and responsibilities.

Key Factors Influencing ACCA Salary in India

The salary of an ACCA in India differs significantly. From company location to industry sector, various factors affect the salary and job position of ACCA professionals.

Let’s take a look at the different factors in detail:

1. Experience and Expertise

Experience plays a key role in determining an ACCA professional’s salary. For example, an ACCA fresher’s salary in India ranges from ₹4 to ₹8 lakhs per year, approximately ₹33,000 – ₹66,000 per month. Senior-level salaries can exceed ₹20 lakhs per year. This shows that as professionals gain experience and expertise, their salaries increase significantly.

2. Industry Sector

ACCA salaries vary across industries. Sectors like banking, technology, and financial services often pay more compared to startups or non-profit organizations. Generally, the compensation packages vary among industries due to their distinct economic dynamics, demand for specialized financial expertise, and profitability. 

3. Geographic Location

Tier-1 cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore offer better salary packages compared to Tier-2 or 3 cities. For example, fresher salaries in Bangalore can range between ₹5.5 – ₹11 lakhs per year, while in Bhopal, it is approximately between ₹3 – ₹6 lakhs per year. These salaries can vary based on demand for ACCA professionals in each city, industry, and company reputation. Countries like the USA, Australia, the UK, and the UAE generally offer significantly higher salaries than India. 

4. Company Size and Reputation

Company size and reputation can greatly influence the salary of an ACCA professional in India. Large organizations offer better salaries and additional perks such as health insurance, bonuses, ESOPs, and retirement plans, due to the availability of resources. On the other hand, smaller organizations offer lower salaries but can provide additional benefits such as more exposure to work, closer working relationships, and faster career growth due to fewer management levels. 

5. Additional Qualifications and Specializations 

With an ACCA qualification, professionals can also pursue other certifications or specializations to boost their salary. Additional certifications like CFA, CPA, or CMA open doors to specialized roles such as portfolio manager, financial analyst, forensic accountant, and more. 

Moreover, an ACCA professional’s salary is influenced by a number of factors such as expertise, industry type, location, size of company, and additional qualifications and specializations. You can refer to all these factors to improve your earning potential and career growth.

ACCA Salaries in Major Indian Cities

While the general entry-level ACCA salary in India ranges from ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year, salaries can vary by city due to industry presence, cost of living, and demand for ACCA professionals. Here’s a closer look at major cities:

1. Mumbai

Mumbai, India’s financial hub, offers some of the highest salaries for ACCA professionals. Entry-level roles typically pay between ₹6 lakhs and ₹12 lakhs per year, while senior-level positions can command ₹20 lakhs or more. The combination of MNC presence and the city’s high cost of living drives these competitive packages.

2. Bangalore

Bangalore, known for its IT sector and startup ecosystem, offers mid-level salaries from ₹10 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs annually. Senior roles typically range from ₹19 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs, reflecting the city’s high demand for skilled finance professionals.

3. Delhi

Delhi has huge economic and industrial potential, making it one of the top ACCA salary-paying cities in India. For entry-level ACCA professionals, the salary ranges between ₹5 – ₹10 lakhs per year, while for senior roles it can be between ₹18 – ₹28+ lakhs per year.

4. Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, an ACCA professional can expect to earn between ₹5 – ₹9 lakhs per year for an entry-level position, while for senior roles it can be between ₹17 – ₹27+ lakhs per year.

5. Pune

Pune’s IT and education sector provides plenty of opportunities to professionals, but ACCA salaries may be slightly lower than in other tier-1 cities. Entry-level professionals can expect salaries typically ranging from ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year, while in senior roles, it is between ₹15 – ₹25 lakhs per year. 

Top Industries Hiring ACCA Professionals

The compensation package of an ACCA professional varies from industry to industry. The top industries hiring ACCA professionals include Financial Services and Banking, IT and Software, and Oil and Gas. This is due to different economic dynamics and demand for financial expertise. 

The table below highlights the top industries hiring ACCA professionals with the average compensation package they offer:

ACCA Salary at Top Companies in India

Most of the Big 4 (PwC, KPMG, EY, and Deloitte) employ ACCA professionals. These roles include taxation, advisory services, and audit. Apart from that, other MNCs like Amazon, Infosys, and JP Morgan also hire ACCA professionals at a decent salary package. The freshers’ salaries for ACCA qualified professionals in these companies typically range from ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year, while for senior positions, they can range between ₹15 – ₹30+ lakhs per year.

The table below shows the top companies hiring ACCA professionals with the average salary package they offer:

Note: Company-specific salaries may vary from the national average depending on reputation, location, and role responsibilities.

ACCA Salary in India vs Other Countries

One of the biggest attractions of the ACCA qualification is its global recognition. But the salary range for ACCA professionals varies significantly depending on where you work. Earlier, we discussed the ACCA average salary in India for different roles. Now, let’s see how the pay scale differs in India vs abroad:

India

Freshers or partly-qualified ACCA earn approximately between ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year, while fully qualified ACCA professionals with experience can get around  ₹15 – ₹25 lakhs per year or more in senior roles. Salaries are highest in metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, especially in Big-4 companies and MNCs.

Abroad

The salary package is higher in absolute terms. For mid-level ACCA:

1. In the UK, ACCA professionals earn an average of £30,000 – £65,000 per year, depending on experience and role. 

2. In the UAE, the salary offered to ACCA qualified professionals is between AED 8,000 – AED 25,000 per month. 

3. In Singapore, it’s SGD 45,000 – 100,000 per year. 

4. Australia also offers a strong package in the range of AUD 60,000 – 100,000 per year.

5. Canada offers a salary package of between CAD 50,000 – 90,000 per year.

Salaries are higher abroad than in India because the cost of living is also high. In India, ACCA is still gaining recognition compared to CAs, while abroad, ACCAs are often at par with local CAs, opening faster routes to roles like finance manager, controller, or CFO. The choice depends on whether you want international exposure or prefer to build your career in India’s growing finance sector.

How to Become an ACCA: Education, Skills, and Certifications

Here are the steps to follow to become an ACCA-qualified professional:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

To apply for ACCA, you should have completed 12th grade (or equivalent) with subjects such as Math and Accounting. If you already hold a finance or accounting degree, you may qualify for exemptions that allow you to progress faster. For those who don’t meet the standard requirements, ACCA also provides a foundation-level pathway to help you get started.

Step 2: Register with ACCA

Once you confirm your eligibility, the next step is registration. You can enroll online by submitting your academic documents and paying the registration fee. Registration not only allows you to sit for exams but also gives you access to official ACCA study materials and resources.

Step 3: Prepare for the Exams

The ACCA exam structure has three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. There are 13 papers in total, though the number you sit for depends on your exemptions. Most students take three to four exams per year. Success requires a mix of conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving, which is why many candidates choose ACCA-approved learning providers or online courses.

Step 4: Build the Right Skills

Passing exams alone isn’t enough. Employers value the skills you develop during your studies, such as analytical thinking, technical knowledge in accounting and taxation, communication skills for reporting and teamwork, and digital proficiency in tools like Excel and data analytics software. Developing these alongside your studies makes you better prepared for real-world roles.

Step 5: Complete Practical Experience (PER)

ACCA requires three years of relevant work experience. This ensures you can apply theory in real-life situations. Roles in audit firms, corporate finance teams, or consultancy companies are common ways to meet this requirement. To validate your experience, you need a workplace supervisor and must log your progress in ACCA’s structured record.

Step 6: Finish the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM)

Ethics play an essential role in the ACCA framework. The EPSM is an online module that teaches professional conduct, ethical decision-making, and integrity in business. You can complete it alongside your exams or during the Practical Experience Requirement (PER). Passing EPSM is compulsory to become a full ACCA member.

Step 7: Apply for Membership

Once you have cleared the exams, completed PER, and passed EPSM, you can apply for full ACCA membership. This allows you to use the ACCA designation in your professional career and gives you access to exclusive member benefits and resources.

Step 8: Plan Your Career Path

With the ACCA qualification, you can pursue careers in audit, management accounting, financial analysis, tax consultancy, or even leadership roles like CFO. Opportunities exist in multinational corporations, consulting firms, and financial institutions. As a globally recognized qualification, ACCA offers flexibility and career mobility across countries and industries.

ACCA vs. CA, CFA, CPA, CMA: Salary Comparison in India

In India, professionals with ACCA vs CA, CFA, CPA, and other certifications have different salary ranges depending on experience, job role, industry, size of the company, and location. The figures mentioned below are approximate averages to give you a general idea.

This is an overview of a general comparison of their salaries:

Career Path and Promotions for ACCA in India

ACCA provides a clear career path in India, helping professionals move from entry-level roles to senior positions as they gain experience and skills.

1. Entry Level (0-2 years): Audit associate, financial executive, or tax associate. Focus on acquiring technical skills and ensuring compliance.

2. Intermediate (2-5 years): As a senior auditor, financial analyst, management accountant, or tax consultant. Focus on group leadership and making decisions.

3. Senior-Level (5-10 years): Business controller, senior tax manager, audit manager, finance manager. Specialization and strategic thinking play a crucial role.

4. Top-Level (10+ years): CFO, finance director, or partner at audit/consulting companies. Leadership, strategy, and international experience fuel promotions.

Future Salary Trends for ACCA in India

The demand for ACCA professionals, especially in multinational corporations, fintech, and consulting, is increasing in India. The average entry-level salary of ACCA is between ₹5 – ₹7 lakhs per year, whereas experienced members earn anywhere between ₹20 – ₹40 lakhs per year. 

Its worldwide reputation and solid training in finance, accounting, and taxation provide opportunities for senior positions and employment abroad. As businesses focus more on global standards and financial expertise, ACCA salaries are expected to grow steadily, making them highly competitive in the job market.

Conclusion

Salaries of ACCA professionals in India are competitive and grow with experience and skills. ACCA starting salary in India is between ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year, whereas mid and senior-level roles in top companies or niche industries provide substantially higher salaries. There is increasing demand for ACCAs not only in India but also in the international market, enhancing long-term career prospects. ACCAs can earn more and be promoted quickly by paying attention to the right industry, gathering experience, and sharpening their skills.

ACCA Salary in India – FAQs