Hey, Are you confused in between two fascinating courses which have their own place in the corporate world? Well, both the courses are considered as toughest courses and require you to have a brilliant IQ. One who is choosing between these two, i.e. CA vs CMA course must be interested in playing with the numbers.

Every student has a different ability and different interest so we can simply guide you about both the courses, their role, their incentives, their duration, industry demand, and other relevant factors after studying which you have to decide which is best career option from your perspective. Hence, after a lot of research and deep study, we have reached some conclusion which will be useful for you in choosing between CA and CMA as a career.

Let’s have a look to the basic introduction of both the courses first-

CA (Chartered Accountancy) –

You must have already heard that Chartered Accountancy is the most reputed course in the commerce stream. The course has been organized by ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) and only ICAI has the authority to give the CA degree.

CA is also considered as the toughest course throughout the world and Indian Chartered Accounting body i.e. ICAI is considered as the second largest accounting body throughout the world.

CA is well known for earning high incentives in the corporate world and also held responsible for handling the financial and legal matters of the company. The profession is challenging because a CA always requires to update himself with the amended laws and case studies.

Due to the expert knowledge of CA in various domains say accounting, auditing, taxation, finance, corporate laws, he is eligible to get appointed on various job profiles such as Internal Auditor, Portfolio Management, Finance Advisor etc.

Besides the above, in India only Chartered Accountants are authorized to audit the Financial Statements of an organization.

Also, Read – How to Become CA

Course Structure –

CA course is divided into three levels – CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final along with three years of practical training. This practical training is also a mandatory part of CA curriculum which turns a CA student into a true professional. CA studies are far beyond than bookish knowledge. Here the students has been trained to face the real-life challenges.

Duration –

The total duration in the CA Course is minimum 4.5 years including 3 years of articleship training. One can enroll for its entrance examination CA Foundation after qualifying 12th standard.

Demand –

Chartered Accountants are highly knowledgeable in various domains and they also enjoy the monopoly of F.S. auditing, hence there demand is rapidly increasing in the corporate world. Companies are looking for a candidate who can handle multiple tasks and CA’s are deemed to be perfect for this job profile.

Job Profile –

A CA can work on the multiple Job Profiles such as –

  1. Statutory Audit.
  2. Internal Audit
  3. Advisor in Direct or Indirect Taxation
  4. Handling Transfer Pricing
  5. Financial and Accounting Management
  6. Investment Decisions
  7. System Audit (after clearing DISA/CISA)
  8. Handling the Companies Legal Matters etc…

Average Salary –

The average salary of a CA at a fresher level is Rs. 6-7 lakhs in India which increases with experience and ability. However, the candidates who passed out in the first attempt are usually offered 10-12 lakhs and Rank Holders gets offer up to 25 lakhs.

Those who want to pursue Chartered Accountancy can take the guidance of a number of institutions available in our country.

Download the CA Intermediate Paper & CA Final Paper with suggested Answers.

CMA (Cost and Management Accountant) –

The CMA course is completely based on Cost Accounting. CMA studies primary focuses on Financial and Accounting Management. Their job profile is to maintain and handle the cost records, pricing of the goods/services, verification of cost records etc. But every company is not required to get the cost audit done, very few companies which are dealing at a very large scale are required to get the cost auditing done.

Although CMA has started emerging in India, still their scope is very limited. But we can say it is a course for the future. CMA is the only authorized person to do the cost audit of the company. 

Course Structure –

Similar to CA, CMA course is also divided into three levels – CMA Foundation, CMA Intermediate and CMA Final. The students after qualifying 10+2 examination are eligible to enroll themselves into the CMA Foundation course. Also join the best CMA caoching in India if you want to prepare better for the exams. These institutes provide better CMA results and relevant knowledge.

Duration –

The duration of the CMA course is minimum 3-4 years. Training in CMA is also a mandatory part of this course.

Demand –

As we have already discussed that every company is not required to get the cost audit done. Companies working on a very large scale are required to appoint the cost auditors. Hence, the demand of CMA is very limited but it is expected that the demand will rise with the passage of time.

Job Profile –

A CMA can appoint on the below-given job profiles –

  1. Cost Accounting
  2. Cost Auditing
  3. Financial Planning
  4. Determine the Prices of Goods and Services.

These are some basic job profiles where the CMA can be appointed.

Average Salary –

The average CMA Salary lies between 3-4 lakhs in India which increases with the passage of time and also depending upon one’s ability.

With the above discussion, you must get clarity on both the courses. As far as we advise if you are looking for a course today then you must go with Chartered Accountancy, which is rapidly growing and if you are planning for the future say after 10-15 years then you can opt CMA which is expected to grow with the passage of time.

However, in today’s monetary terms, Job Availability, Scope, and Knowledge as well as Opportunities, CA is considered a better option than CMA.

Difference Between CA and CMA

Basis  CA CMA
Course Structure CA course is divided into three levels.

  • CA Foundation, 
  • CA Intermediate,
  • CA Final along with three years of practical training. 

One can enroll for the entrance examination of the CA Foundation after qualifying 12th standard.

The CMA course is divided into three levels.

  • CMA Foundation,
  • CMA Intermediate,
  • CMA Final.

The students after qualifying 10+2 examination are eligible to enroll themselves into the CMA Foundation course.

Duration The total duration in the CA Course is a minimum of 4.5 years including 3 years of articleship training. The duration of the CMA course is a minimum of 3-4 years. Training in CMA is also a mandatory part of this course.
Demand in Market Chartered Accountants are highly knowledgeable in various domains hence there demand is rapidly increasing in the corporate world.Companies are looking for a candidate who can handle various tasks and CA’s are deemed to be perfect for this job profile. Every company is not required to get the cost audit done. Companies working on a very large scale are required to appoint the cost auditors.Hence, the demand of CMA is very limited but it is expected that the demand will rise with the passage of time.
Job Profile A CA can work on the multiple Job Profiles such as –

  • Statutory Audit.
  • Internal Audit
  • Advisor in Direct or Indirect Taxation
  • Handling Transfer Pricing
  • Financial and Accounting Management
  • Investment Decisions
  • System Audit (after clearing DISA/CISA)
  • Handling the Companies Legal Matters etc.
A CMA can be appointed on the following job profiles –

  • Cost Accounting
  • Cost Auditing
  • Financial Planning
  • Determine the Prices of Goods and Services.
Average Salary A fresher Chartered Accountant can be offered an average salary of 6-7 lakhs which increases with the experience and ability.However, the candidates who passed out in the first attempt are usually offered 10-12 lakhs and Rank Holders gets to offer up to 25 lakhs. The average salary of a CMA lies between 3-4 lakhs which increases with the passage of time and also depending upon one’s ability.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more difficult CA or CMA?

The difficulty level of both is almost the same but you had a deal with more detailed and vast syllabus in CA whereas CMA syllabus is focused on only cost accounting related subjects.

In the future which one will be better?

CA is a more demanding profession when assessing the current global conditions, but if you are planning after 10 to 15 years, then CMA is going to be a growth sector.

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