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Best chartered accountant certifications

The best certifications for a chartered accountant are Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF).

Chartered accountant certifications demonstrate your competency as a chartered accountant to employers. However, not all chartered accountant certifications provide the same value.

Below is a list of the best chartered accountant certifications. Obtaining a chartered accountant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

3 best certifications for chartered accountants

3 best chartered accountant certifications

1. Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global body for professional accountants with 219,000 members and 517,000 students in 179 countries. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1974 which commits it to acting in and upholding the public interest. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development. In addition to IFAC membership, ACCA is represented on key regional forums including the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), Accountancy Europe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and is a member of CCAB in the UK and Ireland. It undertakes wide-ranging capacity building work globally and has an extensive network of partnerships with other professional accountancy organizations.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Certified Public Accountant candidates must pass a national exam certifiying that they are eligible to be licensed in the state(s) of their choosing. Information about state licensing requirements is made available in the Licensed Occupation tool.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified Public Accountant
Certifying organization
American Institute of Certified...

3. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)

The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
Career Directors International

What is the best certification for a chartered accountant?

The best chartered accountant certification is Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). The Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) is awarded by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this chartered accountant certification:

  • To become a certified Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), you don't need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 1 year.

What certifications can impact a chartered accountant career and salary?

The Chartered Certified Accountant certification will help you to secure a senior accountant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior accountant's average salary is $69,205 whereas chartered accountants make an average salary of $65,776.

Best certifications

The most common combination of chartered accountant certifications include: Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF).

Online courses for chartered accountants to earn certifications

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