ACCA Salaries in India 2025: ACCA Fresher Pay & Big 4 Earnings

Want to pursue a high-paying career in the finance and accounting field? If yes, certification courses like the US CMA courses and CPA US courses are your way to go. However, to become a globally recognised accountant, an ACCA certification is your top choice. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants reports that 45% of ACCA students have worked in different sectors in the past. This data shows the power of this certification to provide you access to new employers and experiences, resulting in a high ACCA salary. 

The cost of ACCA in India is quite high compared to the traditional courses. However, it also offers the best career opportunities. There is a growing demand for ACCA professionals with numerous rewarding opportunities across industries worldwide. Read this blog to know all about an ACCA salary if you are an aspirant. 

ACCA Salary for Freshers in 2025

ACCA professionals are well-positioned in India due to their global expertise in the field. You can get the most attractive opportunities in the country, even as a fresher. From the Big 4 companies to start-ups, several employers in India and worldwide are willing to hire ACCA freshers for entry-level positions. 

On average, ACCA salary for freshers varies between INR 4 and INR 8 lakhs annually in India. However, the ACCA salary trends in India vary significantly based on factors like sector, employer, and location. For example, even ACCA affiliates in India get offers from companies in financial hubs like Delhi and Mumbai that offer higher packages than other cities. 

ACCA Annual Salary Based on Experience 

Explore ACCA salaries in India based on their experience: 

• Entry-Level/ Fresher (0 - 3 years): Entry-level ACCA professionals can earn between INR 4 lakhs and INR 8 lakhs. 

• Mid-level (3 - 7 years): After gaining experience, you can earn between INR 10 lakhs and INR 20 lakhs annually. 

• Senior-level (8+ years): Highly experienced ACCAs earn much more, with their pay scale ranging between INR 20 lakhs and INR 30 lakhs per annum. 

ACCA Salary in Big 4 Firms

Although several other companies in India hire ACCAs, the Big 4 firms attract ACCA graduates the most. These companies also offer numerous lucrative opportunities for ACCA professionals in India. Salaries for ACCA professionals vary based on specific job role, experience, and location. 

Salary in Big 4 Firms for ACCA Professionals

Below is a brief look into the average Big 4 salaries for ACCA.

Firm	Entry-Level (Associates/Analysts)	Mid-Level (Senior Associates/Consultants)	Senior Management/Leadership (Managers/Directors/Partners)
Deloitte	INR 2.1 to 6.5 LPA	INR 6.2 to 24 LPA	INR 19 to 75 LPA
PwC	INR 4.9 to 17 LPA	INR 8 to 30 LPA	INR 19 to 66.5 LPA
EY	INR 3.5 to 11.8 LPA	INR 6 to 22 LPA	INR 17.3 to 60 LPA
KPMG	INR 5 to 16 LPA	INR 6.9 to 25 LPA	INR 18 to 60 LPA

ACCA Salary in Big 4 Compared to Other Firms

You may believe that only the Big 4 firms in India hire ACCAs. However, there is a demand for ACCA members in other organisations in the country as well. They offer attractive packages to compensate for the expertise and knowledge of ACCA-accredited professionals. 

Top organisations in India offer competitive salary packages. Big 4 companies might offer higher packages. However, this is not always the case. ACCA average salary in India is usually between INR 4 lakhs and INR 30 lakhs per annum based on their experience level, location, and job role. 

Average ACCA Salary in India vs Other Countries Comparison

Here is a brief look into the average ACCA salary in leading countries compared to India. 

Country	Average Entry-Level Salary/ Year	Average Mid-Level Salary/ Year	Average Senior-Level Salary/ Year
ACCA salary in India	INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs	INR 10 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs	INR 20 lakhs to INR 30 lakhs
ACCA salary in the UK	£25,000 to £35,000	£40,000 and £60,000	£65,000 to £100,000 approximately
ACCA salary in Australia	AUD 50,000 to AUD 70,000	AUD 80,000 to AUD 120,000	Over AUD 150,000 approximately
ACCA salary in Canada	CAD 40,000 to CAD 60,000	CAD 65,000 to CAD 90,000	Over CAD 100,000 approximately

Tips to Get High ACCA Salary in India

Here are some tips to get high-paying jobs and enhance your ACCA career prospects in India.

• Gain experience of at least 2 to 3 years in the industry. Your pay scale will increase with experience, and the ACCA certification will expedite the process.

• Update your skills to stay current and relevant. To enhance your knowledge, you can also pursue other certification courses, such as the Enrolled Agent courses. 

• Look for jobs in international companies as they actively hire ACCAs for their knowledge of the global industry. 

• Before negotiating your salary, you must research industry salary trends. This will help you earn a salary based on your skills, qualifications and experience. 

Average Annual Salary for ACCA Affiliates and Qualified Professionals

To get an ACCA certification, you must pass 13 exam papers and complete the Practical Experience Requirement, which means 3 years of relevant work experience. ACCA affiliates are candidates who have cleared all 13 examinations but have not completed PER. To become a full ACCA-qualified professional, you must clear all 13 examinations, complete PER, and finish the Ethics and Professional Skills module. 

ACCA Salary in India for Affiliates

An ACCA affiliate earns less than an ACCA professional as the qualified professionals complete all the requirements and gain certification. Fresh ACCA affiliates typically start at 2 lakhs to INR 3 lakhs per annum. 

Salary of ACCA Qualified Professionals

An ACCA-qualified professional working in companies operating in India earns between INR 6 lakh and INR 30 lakh annually. After gaining the certification, you can earn even more as an ACCA member in India with experience. 

Future Salary Trends for ACCA in India

Increased globalisation has resulted in companies hiring finance and accounting experts with knowledge of the international landscape. This is why ACCAs are in high demand, which is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years with a significant salary hike. A normal chartered accountant in India makes INR 4.5 lakh to 6 lakh per annum in an entry-level position. In the coming years, ACCA vs CA salary in India will likely see an even higher difference. The average starting salary for ACCA professionals might reach INR 6 lakhs per annum, with INR 50 lakhs per annum for ACCA members with more experience. 

Conclusion

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is based in the United Kingdom. However, its certification is recognised in over 180 countries. With this certification, you could build your dream career path in India or other leading nations like Canada, the US, the UK, UAE, and Switzerland. However, you must prepare for the 13 ACCA exams to acquire this certification.

Many candidates enlist the help of the NorthStar Academy. This has a significant impact on their ACCA exam preparation. In addition to CMA USA exam preparation, the institute offers ACCA courses. So, enrol in one of the best institutions in India to prepare under the guidance of expert teachers like M Irfat Sir and earn the best ACCA salary.