CFA

The main differences between a CPA and CMA is that a CMA has mix expertise in financial accounting and strategic management. This certification essentially expands on financial accounting by adding management skills which enable CMAs to make strategic business decisions based on financial information. CPAs perform/sign audits and are involved in lots of tax work, especially representing companies during IRS audits. Make sure you know what you'd like to do in your career since both designations lead to different industry roles. Here are some other factors to take into consideration when deciding between the two:
Exam Length:
CMA 2 part exam
CPA 4 part exam Cost
CMA ~$900 (varies by state)
CPA ~$900 (varies by state)
Exam Pass Rate
CMA 35%
CPA 46%
Continuing Professional Education Requirement (CPE)
CMA 30 hours per year
CPA 40 hours per year
Experience requirements to become fully licensed
CMA 2 years
CPA 1-2 years (varies by state)
Average total compensation over the course of career
CMA $135,000
CPA $141,000
While all of these comparisons are great, the most important thing it does not factor in is the intangible value. We feel it's our obligation to remind you that most people outside of the accounting industry know what a CPA is. Although they might not know what the title stands for, they know the acronym mostly because it is one of the most recognizable professional certifications. It is rarer that someone will know what a CMA is, much less what they do. In addition, in our experience, most employers:
Prefer a CPA over a CMA
Pay more for a CPA over a CMA (as seen above)
Require a CPA more often than they require a CMA
Although, obtaining the CPA license is a bit more difficult and will take more time, you can see that it's definitely worth it. However, we revert back to our first point, which is to go with the certification that you know will serve best for what you want out of your career. Or, if would still like to obtain both, our advice is to do just that. Get your CPA license first and then your CMA afterward.

Both courses have different work profiles. Someone who is interested in Accounting, Auditing, Tax consulting, Book keeping should go for ACCA. Someone who is interested in investment banking, portfolio management, and equity research should go for CFA. Now, a quick comparison between the two.
Recognition- CFA is recognized in all 206 countries, as it is one of the best finance courses in the world. ACCA is one of the oldest and best accounting course with recognition in 170+ countries (as they claim on their website) it comes with certain limitations, which are due to varying accounting and tax laws in different countries. Also, ACCA is not accepted in the USA. CFA is accepted in the UK.
Scope - As mentioned above, ACCA work profile include jobs related to mostly accounting and auditing, in the coming years with advanced technology and automation, the accounting jobs are at risk and same is the case for some of the auditing jobs. CFA, on the other hand, gives you the ability to take better investment decisions both for the business and for an individual investor, even with automation or any upcoming technology, humans will be needed to take the final call.
Salary - Backward looking jobs (accounting/ bookkeeping) pay the least.
Second, the highest pay is in the jobs, wherein you work for the present (operations manager) and then comes the forward-looking jobs (General manager/CEO/MD/ Investment advisory) with the highest pay. Average Salary of a new CFA graduate in the USA is $49k/annum, average salary of new ACCA graduate in the UK is 30700 or $41000. So, all in all, I find CFA a better course to do, but for someone who is interested in both fields, he can go with a combo (ACCA + CFA).

To be frank, it is not that easy to get a call from outside India on the basis of CFA level 2. The majority of Indians who work in US are either Software Engineers or stay there on H1B visa or have done their Masters/higher education there and are placed through campus. I know lot of people who have completed CFA but aren't able to get into a relevant profile within India itself. On the other side, I have also come across people who are graduates and after working for more than 78 years in a descent profile at Investment Bank by starting from scratch and after getting promoted to senior roles have moved outside India by taking lateral movement. Secondly, moving to United States isn't that easy, because their H1B visa rules are very stringent. They will hire people from outside US only, if they can't find people with required talent within the country. If you are too keen to move outside India, I would suggest you to apply at any Investment banks like Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse or Goldman Sachs in India. Work hard and prove yourself to an extent that your performance is visible and appreciated within onshore and the offshore team. Create good contacts and relationships with the higher management, which will help you to take a lateral movement whenever there is an opportunity outside India.

CFA focuses on Investment Management and covers topics in Finance like Corporate Finance, Ethics, Equity Investments, and Derivatives, Fixed Income while preparing you for careers in Investment Banking, Research, and Portfolio Management. CFA is a simple 3 year course of three levels Level 1, 2 and 3 all the levels are a course of 1 year each.
CFA is organized by the CFA Institute (American Based Institute) globally recognised.
CFA focuses on ethics, accounting, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income and portfolio management.
To clear CFA, you need Level 1: 42%, level 2: 46% and for level 3: 54%. Only those who complete three graduate-level examinations, four years of work experience, and annual membership renewal (including an ethics and code of professional conduct attestation) are permitted to use the CFA designation. Complementary codes and standards (such as the Global Investment Performance Standards and Asset Manager Code) help enhance this professional distinction.

You are eligible, if you are in the final year of your Bachelor's programme or already have a Bachelor's degree, or have professional working experience that totals up to 4 years. Below is the CFA eligibility criteria course in India. Current MBA students/MBA aspirants:
B.Com / M.Com students
CA aspirants
IT professionals
This programme helps you specialize in a broad range of investment specialties that can be applied in any market worldwide. CFA programme is wide-ranging curriculum that will expose you to investment principles for you to meet the professional requirements of any work place. The level of competence and integrity of a Finance professional today is measurable by a definitive standard like CFA programme. CFA Course Duration:
To earn a CFA charter, one has to give a series of sequential exams Level I, Level II, and Level III. The minimum duration to clear all three exams takes about 2 years. For further details, you can visit cfainstitute.org.

Today is a time when educational certification in major subjects is no longer an option, but is a mandatory document for one's career. Chartered Financial Analyst designation can come as a sigh of relief for everyone interested in the Finance field. A post Graduate Degree in Finance like CFA programme can be your golden ticket to land in a high paying job. Unlike MBA, that only covers general aspects of management and business, CFA programme stresses more on Finance aspect. Today CFA course in India is considered as the highest standard of professional excellence. If you are someone who wishes to get placed in an elite company like Big Fours, then all it would take is passing the rigorous exams and confirming your mastery. This certification ensures that you are equipped with hands-on knowledge in the investment industry. To build a remarkable reputation among your clients, employers or colleagues, you have to commit to ethical behavior and proficiency at work. Therefore, being a CFA charter will uplift your credibility in the eyes of clients and colleagues. You are eligible if you are in the final year of your Bachelors programme or already have a Bachelor's degree, or have professional working experience that totals up to 4 years. Below is the CFA eligibility criteria course in India. Cfainstitute.org.

Hi Mayuri!
CFA is considered as most competitive financial credentials. It is one of the most rigorous certification programs in finance, which covers several key knowledge areas in finance making it best fit for those interested in developing a career as a financial analyst or in the field of investment banking. Of course, many investment banks would still consider hiring someone with MBA from top 10 business schools, CFA certificate would still have some competitive edge.
ACCA, on the other hand, is more focused on accounting and auditing and is considered lower level than CFA in terms of reputation.
However, the most important question is where do you want to work. If you are planning your future career in an investment bank or hedge fund I would say CFA would be a better choice. However, if you want to be an auditor, accountant, or financial consultant ACCA is more than enough.