Top Industries That Hire ACCA-Qualified Professionals

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is among the most prestigious certifications in the domain of accounting and finance. The credential is recognized all over the world and it equips you with cutting-edge skills in financial management, taxation, auditing, and strategic planning. ACCA-qualified professionals are in high demand in the ultra-competitive job market today which proves their true worth. 

This article will discuss all the relevant details regarding the leading industries that hire such professionals, including ACCA jobs in Big 4 firms.

Read More: Can a BCom with ACCA Help You Work Abroad? Exploring Global Prospects

Top 10 Industries that Hire ACCA Professionals

As ACCA is a widely recognized credential, it offers you an extra edge in the global job market, and this means you can enjoy great ACCA career opportunities in India as well. Over 180 countries acknowledge the ACCA certification, and the top companies around the world look for such professionals regularly.

1. Banking and Finance  

The banking and finance industry is among the most sought-after as far as ACCA-certified professionals are concerned. The industry offers a diverse array of job opportunities and ACCA roles in the banking sector to qualified professionals to pursue different careers.

2. Healthcare

Accounting jobs and those related to it are an essential part of every industry, including healthcare. These jobs also offer unlimited career potential. Some of the world’s top healthcare companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, hire ACCA-qualified professionals for various challenging and rewarding ACCA roles such as the following

• Accountants
• Financial Analysts
• Management Accountants
• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Specialists
• Audit and Compliance Officers
• Tax Accountants
• Treasury Managers

This provides them with opportunities to excel in accounting and financial management within the healthcare sector.  

3. Food and Beverages

The food and beverages industry is one of the highest providers of ACCA career opportunities in India. Companies like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Danone recruit talent for different ACCA jobs.  

4. Information Technology (IT)

Some of the most renowned companies in the sector, such as Amazon, Red Hat, and Oracle, hire both professional and trainee accountants who are certified by the ACCA. They hire them because they possess varied business and technical skills, are capable of ensuring strategic decision-making and financial compliance that are so vital in a globalized market, and the global recognition of the certification. Each year, many students receive the chance to work in some of the leading IT companies and earn decent salaries as well. 

5. Pharmaceuticals

ACCA-certified students can perform a wide range of non-laboratory roles in the pharmaceutical sector. The most prominent among such roles may be mentioned thus:

• Financial Planning 
• Financial Analysis
• Audit
• Tax
• Strategic Management 

These professionals provide pharmaceutical companies with some much-needed financial guidance and expertise to make sure that those companies grow and are compliant as well. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and AstraZeneca employ ACCA-certified accountants to serve in various roles, including procurement and finance. 

6. Automobile

Accounting professionals, such as chartered accountants, also play essential roles in the automobile sector. They implement accounting systems, prepare financial reports every month, and settle income statements as part of the roles available to ACCA experts in the industry. 

7. Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

The FMCG sector is a prominent one in this sense as it recruits many ACCA-certified professionals. These companies look to hire professionals with the right skills to drive their success and growth. Following are some of the most prominent skills in this regard:

• Commendable Financial Acumen
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking 
• Technical Accounting Skills such as Financial Reporting
• Digital Proficiency
• Exceptional Communication

8. Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is a prominent sector for recruiting ACCA-certified professionals such as financial analysts, financial controllers, and cost management specialists, to name a few. They can also explore the world for various global and reputable manufacturing companies. 

9. Hospitality

The hospitality industry offers ACCA-certified professionals numerous opportunities to advance in their respective careers. In this industry such professionals can transition into specialized financial roles like financial controller and finance manager. They can also work as chief financial officers (CFOs) in hotels as well as larger international groups comprising such establishments.  

10. Retail

The retail sector also recruits many ACCA professionals for different roles in logistics and distribution departments.  Following are some of the most prominent roles in this regard:

• Accountant
• Financial Analyst
• Management Accountant
• Finance Manager
• Auditor
• Tax Specialist

The table below shows the leading ACCA job roles and their salaries:

Job Role	Annual Average Salary
Chief Financial Officer	INR 57.9L
Financial Controller	INR 26.2L
Finance Manager	INR 15L
Risk Manager	INR 10.27L
Corporate Treasurer	INR 9L
Business Analyst	INR 9L
Management Accountant	INR 8L
Financial Accountant	INR 6.6L
Financial Analyst	INR 6.3L
Auditor	INR 6L
Tax Consultant	INR 6L
Forensic Accountant	INR 5.4L
Financial Planner	INR 4L

Here are the ACCA Job Roles at Big 4 firms:

Firm	Common ACCA Roles	Career Notes
Deloitte	Audit Associate, Tax Consulting, Business Valuation	Fast growth, global exposure
PwC	Assurance, Forensic Audit, Compliance, Consulting	Strong business client base
EY	Transaction Advisory, Strategy, Forensic Services	International assignments
KPMG	Risk Advisory, Financial Reporting, Audit	Career acceleration

Check This Out: What is the difference between CA and ACCA?

Why ACCA Professionals Are in High Demand

There are numerous ACCA roles in the banking sector and other industries worldwide, and following are the prime reasons for that: 

• The certification is recognized in 180 countries.
• Having the degree means you possess adaptable and versatile accounting and financial skills, such as proficiency in financial technology (FinTech), that satisfy the requirements of various industries and business establishments, including MNCs.
• It also helps that the program has a strong curriculum that emphasizes both strategic and practical application, as well as ethical standards. 

These factors make ACCA-certified professionals highly sought after for various key roles.

You Might Also Like: What is ACCA? A Complete Guide for Aspiring Finance and Accounting Professionals

Skills That Make ACCA Professionals Industry-Ready

There is great ACCA demand in the Middle East and the rest of the world because of these reasons: 

• These professionals are industry-ready. 
• They possess strong strategic and analytical skills, a deep technical knowledge of financial reporting and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as well as extensive digital proficiency with data analytics tools and financial software. 
• They have essential soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership. 
• They also show strong ethics and great commercial awareness, along with the ability to adapt to changing business environments and new technologies.

It is these factors that fuel the ACCA demand in the Middle East.

An Interesting Read: How Online BCom with ACCA Paper Integration Offers Financial and Career Benefits

Future Outlook for ACCA Professionals

With so many industries hiring ACCA globally, the future outlook appears to be rather positive. They are also expected to have varied opportunities in emerging domains, such as forensic accounting and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The commendable emphasis on adapting digital advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is also expected to play a significant role in this particular context. The qualification offers its holders benefits such as exceptional career progression and employability. This is especially true for individuals who develop skills such as digital literacy, strategic thinking, and problem-solving creativity, alongside their core ethical and technical competencies.

With such exceptional qualities, it is no wonder that you have various industries hiring ACCA globally.

Also Read: Difference Between a Regular BCom and BCom with ACCA aligned curriculum

Conclusion

The global economy is becoming more complex with every passing day and as such the financial expertise of an ACCA-qualified professional in areas like financial analysis, strategic management, and compliance is simply unmatched. This is a globally recognized certification that opens doors to varied career opportunities in over 180 countries and helps you earn attractive salary packages as well. It also offers you diverse skills, an ACCA membership, and a strong professional network. 

The online Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) (Professional) degree from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) offers you excellent and industry-relevant skills along with a solid base in business and prepares you well for success in the ACCA certification exam. The international curriculum of the program, available on the Online Manipal platform, lets you access career opportunities worldwide. It offers a variety of roles in finance, management, and accounting. You also get specialized knowledge in the program through its various concentrations. 

Since the program’s curriculum aligns with the ACCA qualification, upon successful completion, you will receive maximum paper exemption when taking the ACCA certification exam.    

Read More: Which B.Com subjects will help in ACCA?

FAQs

1. Which industries hire the most ACCA-qualified professionals?

The following industries hire the maximum ACCA-qualified professionals:

• Financial Services 
• Public Accounting 
• Manufacturing 
• IT
• FMCG

These professionals enjoy strong demand in both government sectors and MNCs. 

2. Can ACCA professionals work outside of accounting and finance?

Yes, ACCA professionals can work outside conventional finance and accounting roles as well since the qualification offers them transferable skills that can be applied to different industries.

3. Is ACCA beneficial for careers in banking and financial services?

Yes, the ACCA qualification is rather useful for careers such as financial services and banking. This is because it is a globally recognized certification that offers strong basic skills and knowledge in core financial areas.

4. Do multinational companies prefer hiring ACCA-qualified professionals?

Yes, MNCs usually prefer to hire ACCA-qualified professionals since this is a globally recognized qualification in line with international accounting frameworks such as IFRS.

5. What roles can ACCA professionals take up in consulting firms?

The following are some roles that ACCA professionals can pursue in consulting firms:

• Financial Analyst
• Tax Consultant 
• Management Consultant 
• Risk Manager 
• Internal Auditor 

6. Are ACCA-qualified professionals in demand in government or public sector jobs?

Yes, there is indeed a strong demand for ACCA-qualified professionals in public sector and government jobs.