CMA vs CA: Which is Better in 2025?

CMA vs CA

CMA vs CA is a frequent comparison, as both CA (Chartered Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) are two of the most popular professional certifications in finance and accounting. Both these certifications lead to well-paying careers and career growth, but they suit different career prospects.

Assume that you are uncertain whether to study CA or CMA in 2025. In this scenario, this article will give you a step-by-step comparison based on exam difficulty level, course structure, job opportunity, pay, global acceptance, and many more. Upon reading this blog, you will have a clear idea of which career path is suitable for you.

1. What are CA and CMA?

What is a CA (Chartered Accountant)?

CA is a highly respected Indian professional qualification in the area of accounts & finance granted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). A  Chartered Accountant is a professional expert in auditing, taxation, corporate finance, and financial reporting.

A CA must be responsible for financial documents, conducting audits, handling taxation, and complying with financial laws. They may be independent practitioners, corporate finance experts, or government department officials.

What is a CMA (Certified Management Accountant)?

CMA in India is a professional certification awarded by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). A CMA is an expert in cost accounting, financial management, budgeting, pricing strategy, and overall cost control.

CMAs focus on improving internal cost efficiency and supporting management in strategic decision-making. Their role is especially crucial in manufacturing sectors, PSUs, infrastructure industries, FMCG companies, and large-scale organizations where managing costs is key to success.

2. Course Duration and Exam Difficulty

CA Course Structure & Duration

The CA course is divided into three levels:

Foundation Course:

  • Paper 1: Accounting                                           (100 Marks)
  • Paper 2: Business Laws                                    (100 Marks)      
  • Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude                         (100 Marks)
  • – Business Mathematics
  • – Logical Reasoning
  • – Statistics
  • Paper 4: Business Economics                           (100 Marks)

👉 Check out detailed guide of CA Foundation Papers 

Intermediate Course:                                                    

  • Group I

            Paper 1:  Advanced Accounting                       (100 Marks)

            Paper 2: Corporate and other Laws                 (100 Marks)

            Paper 3: Taxation

             Section A – Income-Tax Law                     (50 Marks)

            Section B – Indirect Taxes                          (50 Marks)

            Group II

            Paper 4:  Cost and Management Accounting  (100 Marks)

            Paper 5: Auditing and Ethics                               (100 Marks)

            Paper 6A: Financial Management                  (50 Marks)

            Paper 6B: Strategic Management                        (50 Marks)

👉 Check out detailed guide of CA Intermediate Papers 

Final Course:                                                                       

  • Group I

             Paper 1: Financial Reporting                                (100 Marks)

             Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management     (100 Marks)

             Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics                                                                                    (100 Marks)

  • Group II

              Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (100 Marks)

              Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws                                   (100 Marks)

              Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions             (100 Marks)

The most important requirement of the CA course is 2 years of mandatory Articleship with a practicing CA. This makes the total duration of the CA course 3.5 – 4 years, depending on whether you pass all levels on the first attempt.

CMA Course Structure & Duration

The CMA course is also divided into three levels:

Foundation Course:                                                        (400 Marks)

  • Paper 1: Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication (FBLC)
  • Paper 2: Fundamentals of Financial and Cost Accounting (FFCA)
  • Paper 3: Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics (FBMS)
  • Paper 4: Fundamentals of Business Economics and Management (FBEM)

Intermediate Course:                                                    (800 Marks)

  • Group I

            Paper 5: Business Laws and Ethics (BLE)

            Paper 6: Financial Accounting (FA)

            Paper 7: Direct and Indirect Taxation (DITX)

            Paper 8: Cost Accounting (CA)

  • Group II

            Paper 9: Operations Management and Strategic Management (OMSM)

            Paper 10: Corporate Accounting and Auditing (CAA)

            Paper 11: Financial Management and Business Data Analytics (FMDA)

            Paper 12: Management Accounting (MA)

Final Course:                                                                       (800 Marks)

  • Group III

             Paper 13: Corporate and Economic Laws (CEL)

             Paper 14: Strategic Financial Management (SFM)

             Paper 15: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (DIT)

             Paper 16: Strategic Cost Management (SCM)

  • Group IV

              Paper 17: Cost and Management Audit (CMAD)

              Paper 18: Corporate Financial Reporting (CFR)

              Paper 19: Indirect Tax Laws and Practice (ITLP)

              Paper 20: One of the following subjects

  • Paper 20A: Strategic Performance Management and Business Valuation (SPMBV)
  • Paper 20B: Risk Management in Banking and Insurance (RMBI)
  • Paper 20C: Entrepreneurship and Start-Up (ENTS)

Like CA, CMA Articleship is mandatory and required to be completed before the CMA Final Course. The CMA Articleship period typically spans 15 months with practical experience under the guidance of a qualified Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)

In India, completing the CMA course typically takes around 3 to 3.5 years encompassing Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels.

3. Career Scope And Job Opportunities

Both CA and CMA professionals have excellent career prospects, but they are distinct.

Career Opportunities for CA

A Chartered Accountant is placed in roles such as:

Auditing & Assurance – Conducting financial audits of firms.

Taxation – Managing tax planning, GST, and compliance.

Financial Reporting – Preparing financial statements and reports.

Corporate Finance – Managing investments and financial risks.

Government & PSU Jobs – CAs are employed by the RBI, SEBI, and other government organizations.

Self-Practice – Most CAs like to set up their practice and practice individually as professionals.

In India, CAs are highly coveted in Big 4 companies (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and major industry companies like Reliance, TCS, Infosys, and government organizations.

Career Opportunities for CMA

A Certified Management Accountant is hired in:

Corporate Finance – Budget of the company, cost reduction, and investments.

Strategic Decision Making – Financial reporting analysis that results in business expansion.

Financial Planning & Analysis – Financial projections and risk analysis.

MNCs and Global Companies – CMAs are working predominantly with multinational corporations (MNCs) such as Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Deloitte, and Ford.

Management & Consulting – Offering advisory services to organizations regarding financial strategy.

CMAs are highly sought after in countries such as the USA, Canada, UAE, and Europe, hence a suitable choice for those seeking overseas employment opportunities.

4. CMA VS CA Salary

CA Salary in India and Overseas

The starting salary of an Indian CA is ₹6-9 LPA, whereas it increases to ₹15-30 LPA as the CA gains experience. Even top CAs receive a higher salary, especially in multinational corporations and consultancy companies.

For CAs in other countries, salaries vary depending on the nation. Indian CAs move to Canada, Australia, and the UAE, where extra certifications are also required at times.

opportunities in international job markets than CA.

Salary of a CMA in India and Overseas

In India, the salary of a CMA is ₹5-8 LPA, whereas that of seniors is ₹18-25 LPA.

However, CMAs employed in the USA, UAE, and Canada receive much higher paychecks. In the USA, a CMA receives an average yearly income of $50,000 to $70,000.

Being a global certification, CMA provides better salary opportunities in international job markets than CA.

5. Global Recognition and Work Flexibility

CA Global Recognition

CA is well known in India but comparatively less so in other parts of the world.  Indian CAs who plan to practice in other countries may be required to clear additional tests like CPA (USA), ACCA (UK), or CA Australia.

CMA Global Recognition

CMA India, offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), is primarily recognized within India. It doesn’t enjoy the same level of global recognition as the US CMA.

Therefore, if you aim to work in multinational companies or overseas, CMA India may not provide strong international opportunities. For global mobility, one might need to pursue a US CMA or other globally accepted certifications.

6. Course and Exam Fee Cost

CA Course Fee

The total cost involved in clearing CA, including registration, coaching, and exams, is around ₹3-4 lakhs.

CMA Course Fee

The total cost of clearing CMA, including registration, coaching, and exams, is around ₹1.5-2 lakhs.

7. Which One to Opt for?

Choose CA if:

✔ You want to work in auditing, taxation, and corporate finance.

✔ You are ready to invest 3.5-4 years of study in the course.

✔ You want to practice in India or on your own.

Choose CMA if:

✔ You want to work in cost accounting, budgeting, or pricing roles.

✔ You are targeting jobs in the public sector, manufacturing companies, or internal finance teams.

✔ You want a more affordable and shorter course duration.

✔ You’re looking for a professional course with a steady but limited job market in India.

Final Judgment: CA vs CMA – What is better?

Both CA and CMA offer excellent career opportunities, but it depends on your goals:

If you require in-depth career growth in India, CA is perfect.

If you want to enter the cost and management accounting domain, work in manufacturing or government sectors, and prefer a shorter and budget-friendly course, then CMA India can be the right fit.

Before making a choice, consider course duration, complexity level, job market employment demand, and wage range.