CFA vs CA

Difference Between CFA and CA

CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst and it is an ideal choice for individuals that are keen on learning the insights of finance and risk management or in other words Investment banking and portfolio management whereas CA or Chartered Accountant is preferred by individuals who are willing to gain expertise in accountancy, audit, and taxation.

Explained

CFA focusses on Investment Management and covers topics in Finance like Corporate Finance, Ethics, Equity Investments, Derivatives, Fixed Income while preparing you for careers in Investment Banking, Research, Portfolio Management whereas, CA focusses on Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing and prepares you for careers in budgeting, accounting & auditing, and management accounting.

That phase when you have to choose between two careers is but of course very confusing as you do not know what decision to make. Of course, your entire career depends on this decision, taking it definitely is not going to be easy. And then deciding between two toughest career options that are CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CA (Chartered Accountant). Maybe a little information can help you decide between the two.

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What is the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)?

The CFA® Program focuses on investment management. The top employers of shareholders include the most respected financial corporations in the world, e.g., JPMorgan, Citigroup, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, UBS, and Wells Fargo, to name a few.

Many of these are Top investment banks, but the CFA® Program focuses on the knowledge and skills most relevant to the global investment management profession from the standpoint of a practitioner.

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Investment professionals who hold the CFA®designation (or CFA® charter) meet rigorous educational, work experience, and ethical conduct requirements.

Only those who complete three graduate-level examinations, four years of work experience, and annual membership renewal (including 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.

What is a Chartered Accountant (CA)?

CA is an internationally recognized profession and a chartered accountant can work in all fields of business and finance, for example, taxation, auditing, and general management. CA’s can be employed by government bodies, public and private sector companies as well. In-short skilled CA’s are always in demand in all industries. The candidates have to qualify through different levels of examinations along with a vigorous process of training to become a qualified CA.

A CA can manage financial accounts for an organization, be a tax accountant, management accountant, be a budget analyst, and of course the most interesting an auditor. The international recognition of this degree gives you the ability to even working abroad under this qualification. To remain professionally competitive the chartered accountants’ institute encourages members to undertake a minimum level of continuing professional development.

CFA vs CA Infographics

CFA and CA Exam Requirements

#1 – CFA® Requirements

CFA® requires 4 years or 48 months of a combination of education and relevant work experience which is acceptable by the CFA® institute. However, the examination of the individual-level needs to be completed before the same.
The CFA® program needs to be completed by mastering the latest CFA® syllabus and clearing 3 6 hourly examinations.
It is important becoming a member of the CFA® institute along with registering as a member with your local CFA® member’s society.
Most importantly you need to adhere to the code of ethics and standard of professional conduct of the CFA® institute.

#2 – CA Requirements

To enter into the profession you can appear for CPT after clearing your 12^th or you can directly take up the intermediate exam after you complete your graduation.
The intermediate exam that is divided into 2 groups is to be cleared after completing the 1^st group that is the IPC level the candidate needs to undergo training as an article assistant for a minimum of 3 years in a chartered firm.
During the 3^rd year of training before the candidate appears for the finals, the trainee also gets an option of working in an industry
Before being articled the trainee also has to complete a 100 hrs IT training and also soft skills development orientation program.

Comparative Table

Section	CFA	CA
Certification organized by	CFA is organized by The CFA Institute (American Based Institute)	CA is organized by The Institution of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI)
Number of levels that need to be cleared	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	To clear CFA you need to clear 3 levels that takes about 4 years and more to clear successfully, these levels are CPT, IPCC and the finals. CPT is a course of 2 years, IPCC is 1 year and so are the finals
Duration of exams	Across CFA Part I, II, III levels, there are morning and afternoon sessions of 3 hours each	Each exam at each of the levels is of 3 hour duration. It takes at least 4 years to complete CA including all of the three exam levels.
Exam window	CFA Part I, II & III level exams are conducted on the first Saturday of June every year, Part I exam can also be taken in December	CA and IPCC Final Exams will be start from 2nd May 2017 to 16th May 2017.
Focus subjects	CFA focuses on ethics, accounting, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income and portfolio management	CA focuses on business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, audit and attestation and regulations.
Passing percentage	To clear CFA you need Level 1 42%, level 2 46% and for level 3 54%. The 14-year average pass rate for all three levels of CFA (from 2003 to 2016) was 52%	To clear CA you need Audit and Attestation 46.35%, business environment and concepts 55.46%, financial accounting and reporting 47.60% and finally for regulation 49.41%. The Pass Percentage of Nov 2016 Exam is 32.53% (Both Groups)
Fees	CFA fee is approximately $1350 including registration and examination.	CA fee is approximately $ 900 - $1000 including registration and examination
Job titles	CFA: Investment banking, portfolio management and equity research	CA: Public accounting, management accounting, government accounting and internal auditing

Why Pursue the CFA® Designation?

The differentiating benefits of earning the CFA® designation include:

Real-world expertise
Career recognition
Ethical grounding
Global community
Employer demand

The sheer demand for the CFA® charter speaks to the difference it makes.

More than 160,000 CFA® exam registrations were processed for the June 2015 exams (35% in the Americas, 22% in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and 43% in the Asia Pacific).

For more information, refer to- CFA® Programs

Why Pursue CA?

CA gives you the flexibility of working in all the industries as an auditor, accountant and also a budget analyst. CAs can offer their services in the capital market as well. CAs can set up their own practice and also develop their own clients; they can also work in a CA firm or they can also join companies that can be government, private and public sectors. CA can be practiced internationally. CAs are in demand in the manufacturing and the finance industry. They do not necessarily need to work on excel sheets, calculations, numbers and number crunching, they can also work as auditors and work on increasing the company’s profitability. CA is also a very good and settled career option for women these days.

Conclusions

Both of these credentials are of the highest weightage in the accounting and finance industry. Both of which will require dedication and sincere efforts to get through. Whichever is your choice, All the very best :-)

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