I have a huge dilemma.  I have got a permanent position at a chartered accountants and they are offering me the choice of ACCA or ACA.

Normally I would choose ACA but the problem is that I have started my ACCA qualifications (passed the 1st three papers) and I am tempted to continue with it.  What would the drawbacks be if I continue with ACCA?

ACA appears to be more prestigious and the preferred choice amongst the top accountancy practices in the UK, saying that I know several people working for the top 4 and still studying ACCA.

So one disadvantage of choosing ACCA would be maybe limiting your ambitions if you desired to work for a big 4 firm.

I often hear people say that ACA is more difficult but I cannot see where they base this decision because I have yet to meet someone who has actually studied both.

IF the firm is offering both, they obviously see them on an equal footing.

Why start again if you have completed part of ACCA?

[quote author="Bluewednesday"]IF the firm is offering both, they obviously see them on an equal footing.

Why start again if you have completed part of ACCA?

the big 4 firms are offering both as far as i know, at bpp where i study looked on the register of one room and it was 30 odd people all at ernst n young.

in my opinion ACCA will prob take over ACA in the future its growth rate is about 5 - 6 % where as ACA is 1 - 2% plus ACCA is the biggest accounancy body in the world ! but ACA is the biggest in europe but those margins are being eroded but if you have completed first level of ACCA just complete it in 2 - 3 more years and congratulate yourself

[quote author="blank"][quote author="Bluewednesday"]IF the firm is offering both, they obviously see them on an equal footing.

Why start again if you have completed part of ACCA?

Just to the note saying why start again....
Have you ever looked at ACA website,
you will notice that you can get exemption for certain papers for ACCA to ACA so you won’t need to complete all the papers for ACA as you can get exemption.

I believe once you qualified ACCA then you only have to do 2 more papers to be qualified as ACA. There are one or two papers of ACCA worth nothing as per ACA website (one is P1 paper).  Please look at the website and you will find the full details reqarding exemptions.

As far as passing rate is concern, ACA’s pass rate is higher compared to ACCA. I believe due to they work in practice and firm provide guidence and work related experience to the subject they attend.  For ACCA student if they do not work for practice firm they have to work hard and study hard to get through the papers.

I hope this information is useful to you

Regards
Heena

Kindhart - I am having trouble finding the page on ACA website regarding exemption for ACA papers, where is it?  I thought I needed to have done some of the 2nd stages of ACCA modules before I can get any exemptions for ACA modules?

Hmmm personally I think it is the experience that really counts when it comes to jobs rather then the qualifications.

Kindhart - I am having trouble finding the page on ACA website regarding exemption for ACA papers, where is it?  I thought I needed to have done some of the 2nd stages of ACCA modules before I can get any exemptions for ACA modules?

Hmmm personally I think it is the experience that really counts when it comes to jobs rather then the qualifications.

If you’ve started ACCA, stick with ACCA.

If you decide for whatever reason that it’s not what you really want, you can always qualify for the ACA on top.

I’ve got a feeling that in two years time when you’re qualified you won’t be looking back (or sideways!)

[quote author="itww8182"]Kindhart - I am having trouble finding the page on ACA website regarding exemption for ACA papers, where is it?  I thought I needed to have done some of the 2nd stages of ACCA modules before I can get any exemptions for ACA modules?

Hmmm personally I think it is the experience that really counts when it comes to jobs rather then the qualifications.

please find the following link for further information

http://www.icaew.com/index.cfm?route=146188

I hope it will guide you for credit for prior learning (Exemption)

heena

From the looks of it, it seems pointless changing to ACA. 

I still need to pass 11 exams for ACCA whereas for ACA I need to pass 10 exams and then 2 more for the advanced stage.

Would you say it is the experience that is more important then the qualification when it comes to staying in practice work?  Of course this could change in the future but at the moment I have done a bit of industry work and would like to do some practice work just to see what it is like.

I’d say experience is hugely important.

In your situation you’ll be getting the same experience as an ACA, so you will in no way be inferior.

I suspect the exams are equally difficult.
ACCA probably offers a better all ‘round grounding for work in industry/commerce.
ACA is still the preferred qualification in the profession.
As others have commented, it is possible to advance from either one, to the other.
In olden times an ACA student could only qualify in the employment of a qualified principal (under articles), whereas an ACCA student could study far more informally.  Things might have changed, I do not know.
ACA has historically been considered to be more prestigious, and I have yet to meet an FCCA (if he is honest) who would not prefer to be an FCA ... but times might be changing.
Interestingly, the Scots CA qualification used to be considered more highly than ACA or ACCA!!

I didn’t realise you could qualify as ACCA and then do ACA as well. Thats really interesting!

If I were you I would stick with ACCA for now, since you have already started. ACCA is a very good qualification to have!

Do the ACA, it is more prestigious.  Don’t diminish prospects of moving to big 4 or financial services if you choose to later on in your career.  Of course, with ACCA is doesn’t totally rule it out but ACA is still favoured.

Big four recommend people joining on grad scheme to do ACA.  Non-grad scheme have a choice though between them.

It doesn’t matter if you have already done some exams in the ACCA, You still will have three years as an junior to build up the appropriate experience portfolio.

To do a ACCA then ACA conversion just looks wrong.  It makes a statement saying that you did ACCA but realised the ACA was better therefore you converted.  To do two so similar qualifications don’t add that much value.  better to have done ACA/ACCA and then something like the treasurer qualifcation, CFA or something that compliments the current qualification.

I completely disagree with romeo.  Stick with ACCA.

I do not necessarilly agree with Romeo either.  There is little distinction these days.  Yes..  Agreed, the occasional employer will look for ACA over ACCA but thankfully the old boys club is dying out and both qualifications hold pretty much equal standing.  In fact, I have talked to employers who prefer ACCA as it is a much broader sylabus to that of ACA.  Therefore do what your heart tells you.

Andy