ACCA with MBA Benefits, Scope, Salary & a Winning Career!

Are you planning to pursue an integrated course of ACCA with MBA after your 12th exam? Both courses are prestigious and in high demand as qualifications among employers. The two courses together can help you bridge the gap between strategic business leadership and technical financial expertise.

What is ACCA?

The ACCA certification is globally recognized as a professional qualification based in the UK. If you are a commerce student and are seeking a career in taxation, management, finance, accounting and audit, this certification is for you. ACCA can be difficult or easy to crack, depending on your background. Let’s see how the course works with an MBA degree.

What is an MBA?

A prestigious postgraduate degree, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) focuses on strategic thinking, business management and leadership skills. The top B-schools and universities worldwide, such as IIMs, Harvard, and others, offer this course.

The core areas of the course, such as marketing, strategy, finance, human resources, and operations, help you develop your skill sets. So, when you get ACCA with MBA, you learn skills that influence business decisions.

Features of ACCA with MBA Course

When you pursue the MBA with ACCA certification together, you will see that the difficulty level might be high. However, you also need to keep in mind how the eligibility of the course will impact your overall growth. Below is a tabular form of explaining with structure of exam, course fees, and other factors.

Background	Eligibility	Exam Structure	Course Fees	Difficulty Level
After 12th After graduation Working professional	Get ACCA certification first, then graduation and then MBA Parallel ACCA + MBA MBA degree (Online or executive) + MBA	ACCA - 13 papers MBA - 10 - 16 subjects The exams style are case studies based, MCQs, projects and written 2- 4 hours of exam duration for ACCA 1- 3 hours of exam duration for MBA along with project work	ACCA + online MBA (budget friendly) - INR 2.5 - 5 LPA ACCA + full time MBA - INR 7 - 13 LPA ACCA + International MBA - INR 32 - 78 LPA	High Moderate High

Benefits of Combining ACCA with MBA

Now that you know about the MBA plus ACCA course details and the different ways in which you can pursue them, let's learn the benefits. You can get to know how ACCA and MBA certifications benefit you in the long term.

Global Opportunities and Broader Career Scope

In over 180 countries, ACCA certification is recognized, as is the MBA, a universally recognized qualification. When you combine the two, you get an opportunity towards leadership and global finance roles.

The ACCA MBA course enables you to work in different countries like the UAE, Singapore, the UK, Australia and Canada. Additionally, you get a crack at international roles like financial controller, investment analyst, finance director, and CFO.

Further you get other opportunities like working in multinational corporations (MNCs), Big Four firms, and global firms. As an ACCA plus MBA professional, you know ways of cracking your Big 4 interview. Learn the benefits as a professional!

Higher Employability

Professionals who are both business-savvy and technically skilled are in great demand. Employers are seeking these professionals, ACCA MBA program qualified who can provide both in-depth compliance and accounting knowledge and have managerial, leadership and business skills.

Develop Leadership and Strategic Skills

Apart from getting technical skills, you also learn strategy, vision and people management skills. You know how to resolve conflicts, leadership, business strategy, team management and communication. The combination of the two courses contributes to high-level decision-making skills.

Acquire Technical Accounting Knowledge

An ACCA qualification helps your career grow immensely. It covers a lot of aspects such as financial reporting, taxation, risk management, and audit. This is how you develop long-term expertise.

Additionally, you gain a deeper understanding of business strategies with the MBA. After completing the ACCA plus MBA, you can advise corporations and firms about risk, financial planning, and compliance.

Enhanced analytical and decision-making capabilities

In recent years, business leaders must make financially sound decisions based on data. With the ACCA with MBA course, the leaders can analyse financial data, manage risk and interpret trends. You can blend strategic decision-making with problem-solving abilities.

Strong Personal Brand

With the dual qualifications, you are creating your brand which reflects global competence, professional versatility, education and knowledge. In the competitive world, employers are looking for knowledgeable, serious, dedicated and leadership skills.

Exemptions in ACCA for MBA Holders

Not all MBA programs grant ACCA exemptions, so read about the following factors that allow exemptions. Learn about ACCA exemptions for MBA finance in India by following steps. You have to create an account on the ACCA website and register. Accordingly, upload MBA documents, certificates and transcripts.

The ACCA will then evaluate the documents uploaded and, accordingly, assign the exemptions. Now, registered students have to pay the applicable exemption fees. Henceforth, you can start on your remaining ACCA exams.

Levels of ACCA	Depends on Factors	Potential Exemptions
Applied knowledge (BT, MA, FA courses)	MBA in any stream (preferably finance)	2-3 papers
Applied skills (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM)	MBA with law/ finance focus	1-2 papers max
Strategic professional	Compulsory for all students	None

Salary Expectations

You can learn about the salary of an ACCA and MBA professional here. If you are wondering, what is the salary of ACCA, the average is INR 8 LPA hence, if you are getting an MBA degree along with ACCA, of course, it has the probability of increasing. 

You have to move forward in job opportunities in industries like consulting, investment banking, fintech and tech. To land global roles using networking in the professional world along with using LinkedIn.

Career Stage	Average Salary
Fresher ACCA + MBA Graduate	INR 8 -12 LPA
After 3 to 5 years experience	INR 15 - 25 LPA
After 8 to 10 years	INR 30 - 50 LPA
Executive roles (Director, CFO)	INR 60 LPA - INR 1 Cr.

Future Scope and Career Opportunities

The ACCA and MBA are in high demand in countries like the UK, Canada, India, Singapore, and Australia. With dual qualifications, you will seek job opportunities in corporate leadership. In the evolving finance landscape, an MBA integrated with ACCA is a lucrative certification that Big 4 accounting firms and MNCs seek in officials.

Career opportunities that you will get on a global scale. The job roles like finance manager, investment banker, financial controller, strategy consultant, management accountant and business analyst offer potential growth.

ACCA with MBA: Is It Worth It?

Therefore, if you want an opportunity as a student and professional to get a significant edge over others in the job market, ACCA plus MBA is the right choice for you. Are you ready to prepare for the integrated course that can give you a push in the global job market?

Read More

• How to Become a CA after 12th?
• Career options after MBA in Finance
• Top Benefits of Getting an ACCA Certification
• How to Choose the Right ACCA Coaching Centre in Bangalore?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the average salary after ACCA with an MBA?

Combining ACCA with MBA boosts the earning potential, which offers you INR 8 to 15 Lakhs per annum at the entry level. It will keep increasing with age, experience and senior roles like finance director or CFO.

Can ACCA give exemptions to MBA holders?

ACCA offers exemptions to MBA holders, especially if you have an accounting specialization or finance. You will receive exemptions in three applied knowledge level papers, such as Management Accounting (MA), Business & Technology (BT) and Financial Accounting (FA).

Is ACCA harder than an MBA?

ACCA is harder if you are from a non-commerce background, given its exam-focused and technical nature. The certification covers tax, global accounting standards, financial reporting in depth and audit hence, it presents challenges.

Which is better: ACCA or MBA?

We cannot specifically say that any one is better. The MBA course is more case-study oriented and strategically focuses on marketing, business operations, management and leadership. ACCA is more focused on financial analysis, auditing and technical finance roles. Overall, the combined qualification is highly employable and in high demand.

How long does it take to complete both ACCA and MBA?

With ACCA, it takes about 2 to 3 years full-time. Additionally, the MBA program is flexible, stretching from 1 to 2 years. If you pursue both MBA and ACCA in parallel, it may take 3 to 5 years, depending on workload, pace and ACCA exemptions from MBA certification.