Become an Accountant & Finance Manager
Accountants and finance managers keep a company's numbers accurate and help leaders plan. A professional qualification is the usual way in. Choose based on where you want to work: India, global companies or US outsourcing.
Certifications you need
You usually need one of these, not all of them. Pick by the market you want to work in.
Ways in
CMA (ICMAI)
Entry routeIndia's statutory cost and management accounting designation.
ACCA
Entry routeA globally portable accountancy credential for finance and audit careers.
US CMA
Entry routeThe global management accounting credential from IMA.
US EA
Entry routeThe US federal tax credential, popular for US tax outsourcing work.
How to get there
Pick your market
CMA (ICMAI) for India, ACCA or US CMA for global companies, and US EA for US tax work.
Enrol and clear the papers
These are multi-level qualifications that you can take alongside a job.
Start in accounts, FP&A or tax
Corporates and global capability centres hire at this stage.
Move up to controller or CFO
Senior roles combine your qualification with experience.
What you'll do
- check_circlePrepare accounts and reports
- check_circleBuild budgets and forecasts
- check_circleAnalyse costs and margins
- check_circleSupport leadership decisions
Who hires
- Corporates
- Global capability centres
- Banks and NBFCs
- Consulting and audit firms
What it pays
Indicative figures. Actual pay varies by employer, city and experience.
Entry
₹6–12 LPA
Costing, audit and FP&A roles
Mid level
₹10–25 LPA
Finance manager, FP&A manager or controller
CFO track
₹30 LPA+
Finance leadership
Frequently asked questions
CMA or ACCA: which should I choose?
CMA (ICMAI) is India's statutory cost accounting designation. ACCA is built for global portability. Choose according to where you want to work.
What is US EA used for?
It is the US federal tax credential, popular with Indian professionals working in US tax outsourcing.
Ready to start?
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