AAT, ACCA and CIMA are three of the most recognised accounting qualifications in the UK, but they serve different goals. AAT is a practical technician-level route with open access and no formal entry requirements. ACCA leads to chartered certified accountant status and suits public practice, audit and global finance. CIMA leads to the CGMA designation and suits management accounting and commercial finance. This guide compares all three on entry requirements, exams, duration, cost, careers and salary, using primary sources from the awarding bodies.
AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
AAT runs the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, the Level 3 Diploma and the Level 4 Professional Diploma, plus bookkeeping-specific certificates at Levels 2 and 3. There are no formal entry requirements, so it is fully open access.
All three levels combined typically take 2.5 to 4 years. Total cost is roughly 1,500 to 5,000 pounds across fees and tuition. It suits school leavers, career changers and anyone wanting a practical, work-focused entry into accounting without a degree.
AAT qualifies you for roles such as accounts assistant, bookkeeper, payroll administrator, finance assistant, assistant accountant and tax assistant. Full MAAT members have a median salary of 38,188 pounds (AAT Salary Survey 2025). It is also a gateway to chartered study, with exemptions into ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CIPFA and ICAS.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
ACCA is structured in three stages: Applied Knowledge (three papers: BT, MA, FA), Applied Skills (six papers: LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM) and Strategic Professional (four papers: SBL, SBR and two options). You also complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module and a three-year Practical Experience Requirement.
Entry requires three GCSEs and two A Levels (or equivalent) across five separate subjects including maths and English. AAT Level 4 holders receive exemptions from all three Applied Knowledge papers, leaving 10 exams instead of 13.
Typical duration is three to four years, or roughly two years with AAT Level 4 exemptions. Self-funded cost is around 5,000 to 10,000 pounds at first attempt across all papers, or 2,000 to 4,000 pounds with AAT exemptions and self-study. The registration fee is 89 pounds, the annual subscription is 140 pounds, and individual exam fees run from 117 to 274 pounds.
ACCA suits audit, financial reporting, tax, public practice, financial services, commercial finance and advisory roles, including the Big Four and mid-tier firms.
CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
CIMA is run by the joint body AICPA and CIMA, and successful candidates earn the CGMA designation. It starts with the Certificate in Business Accounting (four papers, BA1 to BA4), then the Professional Qualification across Operational, Management and Strategic levels, each with three objective tests and a case study. There are 16 assessments in total.
There are no formal entry requirements for the Certificate level. A degree or relevant qualification may exempt it, and AAT Level 4 holders bypass the Certificate level entirely.
Typical duration is three to four years for the full qualification, or roughly two to three years from AAT Level 4. Self-study body fees are around 2,774 to 3,352 pounds at first attempt; adding tuition can bring the total to 5,500 to 10,000 pounds and above.
CIMA suits management accountant, financial analyst, finance business partner, financial planning and analysis, and CFO-track roles, predominantly in industry and commerce rather than public practice.
Salary at a glance
| Feature | AAT | ACCA | CIMA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation earned | MAAT / FMAAT | ACCA | CGMA (ACMA/FCMA) |
| Entry requirements | None | 5 GCSEs/A Levels incl. Maths/English | None (Certificate level) |
| Total exams | About 14 computer-based | Up to 13 (10 from AAT L4) | 16 assessments |
| Typical duration | 2.5 to 4 years | 3 to 4 yrs; about 2 from AAT L4 | 3 to 4 yrs; about 2 to 3 from AAT L4 |
| Total cost (estimate) | 1,500 to 5,000 pounds | 5,000 to 10,000 pounds | 2,800 to 10,000 pounds and above |
| Focus | Practical technician skills | Public practice, audit, global finance | Management accounting, commercial finance |
| Salary on completion (UK) | About 38,000 pounds median (MAAT) | 45,000 to 65,000 pounds (newly qualified) | About 66,000 pounds and above (CGMA) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is AAT better than ACCA or CIMA?
They serve different goals. AAT is a practical, open-access technician qualification and a common starting point. ACCA suits public practice, audit and global finance. CIMA suits management accounting and commercial finance. Many people study AAT first, then progress to ACCA or CIMA with exemptions.
Which is harder, ACCA or CIMA?
Both are demanding chartered-level qualifications. ACCA has up to 13 exams and a three-year practical experience requirement, while CIMA has 16 assessments including case studies at each level. The right choice depends on whether you want a practice or industry focus rather than difficulty alone.
Do I need AAT before ACCA or CIMA?
No, but it helps. AAT is open access and, on completing Level 4, grants exemptions from three ACCA papers and the entire CIMA Certificate level, shortening your route to chartered status.
How much does each qualification cost?
AAT is roughly 1,500 to 5,000 pounds across all levels. ACCA is around 5,000 to 10,000 pounds self-funded, or 2,000 to 4,000 pounds with AAT exemptions. CIMA body fees are around 2,800 to 3,400 pounds, rising to 5,500 to 10,000 pounds and above with tuition.
Which qualification pays the most?
On completion, CIMA CGMA holders average around 66,000 pounds and above, newly qualified ACCA members earn 45,000 to 65,000 pounds, and full MAAT members have a median of about 38,000 pounds. ACCA and CIMA are chartered-level and typically pay more than the AAT technician level.
Can I switch from ACCA to CIMA or the other way?
You can study either after AAT, and both bodies offer entry routes and exemptions depending on your prior study. The practical decision is usually about career direction: ACCA leans toward practice and audit, CIMA toward management accounting and industry.
Sources and references
- AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
- AAT Salary Survey 2025
- ACCA qualification at a glance
- ACCA fees
- ACCA: how much does an accountant earn
- CIMA myfuture: earning trends for management accountants
- Kaplan: moving from AAT to CIMA
- Learnsignal ACCA qualification guide
- cimapractice.co.uk: how much does CIMA cost
