CPA – Certified Public Accountant (Accounting Track)
Accounting Track vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| CPA – Certified Public Accountant (Accounting Track) | ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant | CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) | CIMA – Chartered Management Accountant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | AICPA / NASBA | ACCA | IMA | CIMA / AICPA |
| Level | Advanced | Intermediate | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Exam fee | $1,000–$2,000 | £89–£143 per exam | $415–$830 | £500–£3,000 |
| Duration | — | — | — | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $70K–$130K | £40K–£80K | $85K–$130K | £50K–£90K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take Accounting Track or ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant first?
ACCA – Chartered Certified Accountant is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take Accounting Track or Accounting Track first?
Accounting Track is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take Accounting Track or CIMA – Chartered Management Accountant first?
Both are rated Advanced. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.