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ACCA Salary in India A Complete Guide from Fresher

ACCA Salary in India 2025

ACCA qualification—granted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants—is globally recognized, offering significant value in India’s accounting and finance job scape. As the certification gains popularity, ACCA professionals in India are reporting a wide spectrum of salaries depending on experience, job role, industry, and location.

1. Entry-Level / Fresher ACCA Salaries (0–2 years)

  • Typical salary range: ₹3 – 7 lakhs per annum (₹25K–₹60K per month), especially in Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.
  • Tier‑2 city entry-level pay: ₹4 – 6 lakhs per annum.
  • Reddit peer feedback:

“Fresher acca affiliates … salary range of ₹4–8 LPA”
“Fresher … between ₹3–4 lpa at Indian CA firms”

  • Big 4 firms: Associates/audit or tax rolls pay roughly ₹4.5–7 lakhs per annum (₹37K–58K/month depending on city and firm) .

Bottom line: Fresh ACCA affiliates typically earn ₹3–6 lakhs annually in smaller firms, rising to ₹6–8 lakhs in Big 4 or shared services roles in major metros.

2. Mid Level Salaries (2–5 years experience)

  • Average salary range: ₹7 15 lakhs per annum, depending on role and employer.
  • Role‑specific estimates:
    • Senior Accountant: ₹6–10 lakhs
    • Financial/Tax Consultant or Internal/External Auditor: ₹8–15 lakhs
    • Finance Manager or Financial Analyst: ₹10–15 lakhs
  • Reddit insights:

“Part‑qualified, 2.5 yoe … got 8 lpa working in a Big 4”
“With 2 yr experience you can expect 7‑7.5 lakhs in EY”

  • Mid‑sized & domestic firms: ₹7–14 lakhs at mid‑level; larger MNCs/Big 4: ₹12–24 lakhs.

3. Senior Level / Experienced ACCAs (5+ years)

  • Senior professionals can expect ₹12 30 lakhs per annum, depending on position:
    • Finance Controller, Assistant Manager, or Senior Manager: ₹12–20 lakhs
    • Finance Director / CFO (small to mid‑size firms): ₹20–50+ lakhs
    • CFO or Partner roles: ₹50+ lakhs in top MNCs or Big 4 leadership
  • Examples:
    • Big 4 Senior Managers or Tax Managers: ₹20–35 lakhs
    • Directors/Partners: ₹30–65 lakhs or more
  • Job market commentary:

ACCA affiliate moved from ₹3 lacs to ₹11 lacs in Deloitte and is now receiving offer for ₹15 lakhs.

4. Industry & Role Variations

  • Big 4 & Consulting: Top payers—freshers usually get ₹4.5–7 lpa, mid‑level ₹8–20 lpa, seniors ₹20–60+ lpa.
  • Financial Services / Banking: Typically 15–20 % above average salaries. ₹6–20 lpa for entry/mid‑level, up to ₹30+ lpa for senior roles.
  • IT / Shared Services / SSCs: Entry-level ₹6–9 lpa, mid‑level ups to ₹15 lpa, and senior ₹20–35 lpa with global exposure.
  • Manufacturing / FMCG: Slightly lower—entry ₹5–10 lpa, mid ₹12–24 lpa, senior ₹18–30 lpa.

5. Location Influence

  • Tier 1 cities (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi/NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad): Entry-level ₹5.5‑8 lpa, mid-level ₹10–20 lpa, senior-level ₹20–30 lpa.
  • Tier 2 cities: Salaries generally ₹4–6 lpa freshers, ₹7–15 lpa mid‑level, ₹15–25 lpa senior.
  • Example: Bengaluru freshers ₹5.5–11 lpa, senior ₹17–27 lpa; Hyderabad entry ₹5–9 lpa.

6. Market Trends & Challenges

  • The ACCA job market in India is becoming more competitive with increasing student numbers, putting downward pressure on entry-level salaries.
  • Some Reddit users reported paying high fees (~₹5 lakh), yet receiving entry-level offers as low as ₹3 lpa—which feels disproportionate.
  • Mentors advise not to compromise below ₹5–6 lpa for a fresher role; building skills and experience before joining is key.

7. Salary Components Beyond Base Pay

  • Many ACCA positions include bonuses, health insurance, stock options, retirement benefits, and performance incentives, especially in Big 4 and MNC firms.
  • Variable pay can significantly boost total compensation in senior or leadership roles.

8. How to Maximize Earnings as an ACCA in India

  • Accumulate relevant experience: Building 2–5 years of targeted domain expertise (audit, FP&A, tax) fast‑tracks salary growth.
  • Combine ACCA with other credentials: MBA, CFA, Indian CA/CMA, Data Analytics courses can add 15–25% premium.
  • Choose the right industry: Banking, consulting, SSCs and financial services roles generally pay more.
  • Location matters: Financial hubs and SSC centres pay higher salaries and offer faster promotions.
  • Negotiate wisely: Even 10–15% extra on first offer boosts long‑term growth.

9. Average Salary Summary Table

 

Experience Level

Role Examples

Metro Annual Range

Tier‑2 / Domestic Firms Range

0–2 years

Entry / Analyst / Trainee

₹4–7 lpa

₹3–6 lpa

2–5 years

Senior Accountant, Financial Analyst, Consultant

₹8–15 lpa

₹7–14 lpa

5–10+ years

Manager, Finance Controller

₹12–25 lpa

₹10–20 lpa

8–15+ years

Director, CFO, Partner

₹20–50 lpa+

₹18–35 lpa+

ACCA remains a strong credential for finance and accounting careers in India, particularly with international scope. Entry-level pay typically starts at ₹3–6 lakhs, rising to ₹8–15 lakhs with mid‑level experience, and ₹20–50+ lakhs for seasoned roles like CFO or partner. Factors like industry, location, company size, and additional skills or qualifications, greatly influence how high you can aim.

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