CA Vs CMA - Which Is The Better Career Option?

Are you also confused between CMA and CA? Well, someone who is choosing between the who must be interested in numbers. Today, we will be comparing the two courses on different categories so that you can have a clearer picture of what the courses actually have to offer.

First, talking about CA, it is one of the reowned and reputed courses. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the only authority responsible to conduct the CA exam and provide the degree. The profession becomes challenging as the CA always requires to updates himself/herself with the amended laws and regulations. A candidate is eligible to get appointed on various job profiles such as Internal Auditor, Portfolio Management, Finance Advisor, etc.

Now let’s talk about CMA, it is mostly based on Cost Accounting. It focuses on Financial and Accounting Management. The course has started emerging in India but the scope is still limited. Their job profile is to maintain and handle the cost records, pricing of the goods/services, verification of cost records, etc.

Parameter	CA	CMA
Course Structure	CA course is divided into three levels. CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, CA Final along with three years of practical training. One can enroll for the entrance examination of the CA Foundation after qualifying 12th standard.	The CMA course is divided into three levels. CMA Foundation, CMA Intermediate, CMA Final. The students after qualifying 10+2 examination are eligible to enroll themselves in the CMA Foundation course.
Duration	The total duration in the CA Course is a minimum of 4.5 years including 3 years of articleship training.	The duration of the CMA course is a minimum of 3-4 years. Training in CMA is also a mandatory part of this course.
Demand in Market	Chartered Accountants are highly knowledgeable in various domains hence there demand is rapidly increasing in the corporate world. Companies are looking for a candidate who can handle various tasks and CA’s are deemed to be perfect for this job profile.	Every company is not required to get the cost audit done. Companies working on a very large scale are required to appoint cost auditors. Hence, the demand of CMA is very limited but it is expected that the demand will rise with the passage of time.
Job Profile	A CA can work on multiple Job Profiles such as – Statutory Audit. Internal Audit Advisor in Direct or Indirect Taxation Handling Transfer Pricing Financial and Accounting Management Investment Decisions System Audit (after clearing DISA/CISA) Handling the company’s Legal Matters etc.	A CMA can be appointed on the following job profiles – Cost Accounting Cost Auditing Financial Planning Determine the Prices of Goods and Services. Management Accountant Financial Analyst Cost Accountant Accounting Manager Senior Accountant Corporate Controller Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CA Vs CMA Salary In India	A fresher Chartered Accountant can be offered an average salary of 6-7 lakhs which increases with experience and ability. However, the candidates who passed out on the first attempt are usually offered 10-12 lakhs and Rank Holders get to offer up to 25 lakhs.	CMA Salary in India: The average salary of CMA in India lies between 5-7 lakhs which increase with the passage of time and also depending upon one’s ability.