CFA Vs CFP

Article byDheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM

What Is CFA Vs CFP?

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) are some of the most prestigious designations for any aspiring financial advisor. While CFP helps develop wealth management and financial planning skills, CFA focuses on developing asset allocation, investment analysis, portfolio strategy, and corporate finance skills.

Are you appearing for CFA Level 1 exam – Do have a look at this awesome 70+ hours of CFA level 1 Prep Course. CFA vs. CFP, whatever your end choice may be, let it be an informed one. This decision is for your career and hence keep in mind all these pros and cons. I could help in whatever little I could. All the very best.

CFA Vs CFP Explained

CFA vs CPA is a very important topic of discussion which deals with two different but very prestigious certifications in the field of finance. Their differences lie in the scope of study, focus and career. They also differ in the kind of client they deal with.

CFA is a certification that is awarded by the CFA Institute, and it is recognized globally. The professionals are very highly regarded with the most rigorous credentials in the world of investments. It deals in various fields like financial analysis, portfoilio management or evaluation of investments. In the CFA program, there are a wide range of topics such as ethics, economics, financial analysis, equity investments, derivatives, fixed income, etc. The study involves three levels, that increase in complexity level and if cleared, it makes the candidate an expert in the financial field. It gives training regarding theoretical as wel as practical application of every kind of financial concept.

CFP on the other hand is granted by the CFP Board, which is a comprehensive course which certifies that the candidate who clears the exam, is a professional who is very well equipped with the skill and knowledge to provide financial services. The services are particularly for individuals and families and may range from retirement and estate or property planning to insurance, taxation and building a profitable investment portfolio. The financial advice that these types of professionals provide is very holistic and of high standard.

To summarise, both the above courses are highly regarded and recognized in the financial market, even though they cater to different aspects of the industry. CFA is more focussed towards analysis and management whereas CFA is more inclined towards planning and providing financial solutions.

Infographics

Let us try to understand the two concepts with the help of infographics as given below. This makes the the differences and process of remembering very easy and less time consuming.  

CFA-vs-CFP-infographics

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Source: CFA Vs CFP (wallstreetmojo.com)

Comparative Table

The comparative table given below compares the two certifications on the basis of different criterias like the organizing body, the course duration, syllabus, fees, exam type, jobs and career opportunity, CFA vs CFP difficulty level, etc. It is interesting to learn them based on these segregations and get a very clear idea of the same.

SectionCFACFP
Organizing BodyCFA InstituteCFP Board
PatternDivided into three levels – level I, level II, and level IIIOnly 1 level
Duration of CourseFour yearsThree years
Syllabus
  • Financial Principles
  • Financial Analysis & Accounting
  • Portfolio Management
  • Personal Financial Planning
Exam fees$700-$1,000 per level plus $450 one-time registration$825-$1,025
Jobs
Difficulty2019 Pass Rates
  • Level I – 41%
  • Level II – 44%
  • Level III – 56%
2019 Pass Rates

  • 62% (Overall)
  • 66% (First-time test takers)
Exam Date2022 Calendar
  • Level I – Feb 15-21, May 17-23, Aug 23-29, Nov
  • Level II – Feb 22-26, Aug 30- Sep 03, Nov
  • Level III – May 24-26, Aug 30- Sep 06
2022 Calendar
  • Mar 8 – 15
  • Jul 12 – 19
  • Nov 1 – 8

Which Is Better?

One of the most important questions that come to our mind is – which is a better option out of CFA and CFP? This also leads to the question of CFA vs CFP which is harder. The answer is that both are highly admired designations in financial advisory. Any candidate with a CFA charter or CFP mark becomes skillful at handling the client’s financial future.

Hence, the choice between CFA and CFP should be purely based on career aspiration as either of the courses can offer an exciting career in finance. Both are highly regarded in the financial market and the professionals are believed to have the best level of skill and competence to deal with their respective clients, because the courses provide training opportunity that are comprehensive and thorough. So, let us dive in deeper to understand the two designations in more detail in the following sections.

Skills Obtained

After becoming a CFA charter holder, a candidate develops excellent modeling skills, analytical ability, decision-making skills, and communication skills. Similarly, a CFP mark holder also acquires strategic thinking, sales & marketing, relationship management, and communication skills.

Duration

An aspiring CFA candidate needs to clear three levels of examinations and four years of professional experience, which can be completed before, during, or after completion of CFA. Hence, one can complete the CFA program in 4 years. On the other hand, a candidate who enrolled for CFP needs to clear just 1 level but must complete 6,000 hours of professional experience and complete the CFP program over three years.

Eligibility Or Experience Required

To become a CFA charter holder, one must complete a bachelor’s degree and have at least four years of relevant professional experience. On the other hand, a CFP aspirant must have a bachelor’s degree and 6,000 hours of relevant professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprentice experience. However, , it is not easy to understand that CFA vs CFP which is harder, because there is a flexibility to combine education and professional experience, sequential and not overlapping, to meet the 4-year requirement.

Syllabus

The CFA program is divided into three levels. Level I focuses on financial principles, Level II emphasizes financial analysis and accounting, and Level III helps build portfolio management and decision-making skills. There is a little bit of overlapping of topics among the three levels. The overall syllabus CFA program includes financial reportingFinancial ReportingFinancial reporting is a systematic process of recording and representing a company’s financial data. The reports reflect a firm’s financial health and performance in a given period. Management, investors, shareholders, financiers, government, and regulatory agencies rely on financial reports for decision-making.read more and analysis, ethical & professional standards,  economics, derivatives, equity valuation, quantitative methods, fixed income, alternative investments, corporate finance, portfolio management, etc. On the other hand, the CFP Board mandates the course curriculum to include professional conduct & regulation, general principles of financial planning, investment planning, education planning, retirement savings & income planning, risk management & insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning, financial planning, etc. Therefore the CFA vs CFP difficulty level is worth accepting because of the high level of learning involved in them.

Career Opportunity And Salary

A CFA charter holder is offered a job in finance and investment as a portfolio manager, research analyst, consultant, corporate financial analyst, investment banking analyst, relationship manager, financial advisor, etc. On the other hand, as a CFP designation holder, a candidate is offered the role of a financial planner, financial advisor, estate planner, trading & research associate, financial consultant, financial analyst, financial representative, etc.

In the U.S., CFA charterholders vary in the range of $56,500 and $120,500 per annum, with an average salary of $95,494. On the other hand, the salary of CFPs varies in the range of $62,500 and $94,500 per annum, with an average salary of $83,123.

Fees And Passing Rates

The CFA exam fees lie in the range of $700 to $1,000 per exam, depending on the time of registration. Additionally, there is a $450 one-time registration fee, which means that a CFA program’s total fees will be $2,550 and $3,450. On the other hand, a CFP program costs $825 and $1,025, depending on registration.

Both the exams are equally difficult, as seen from their moderate pass rate. During 2019, the Pass Rates For The CFAThe CFA exam is regarded as one of the most difficult to crack. Your preparation, time management, and sequence plays will all play an important role in your journey.read more exams were – Level I: 41%, Level II: 44%, and Level III: 56%. For CFP, the overall pass rate in 2019 stood at 62%, while the first-time exam takers were 66%.

Exam Availability

The exams for the three levels of CFA take place several times during the year. In 2022, the exam schedule is as follows:

Feb 2022May 2022Aug 2022Nov 2022
Level IFeb 15-21May 17-23Aug 23-29Not Yet Declared
Level II Feb 22-26Aug 30- Sep 3Not Yet Declared
Level III May 24-26Aug 30- Sep 6

The exams for CFP take place three times a year – March, July, and November. In 2022, it is scheduled to occur during Mar 8-15, Jul 12-19, and Nov 1-8.

How To Enroll?

For CFA,

  • Create an account at the CFA Institute website before the exam registration. However, if one plans to apply for any scholarship, they should register much earlier.
  • Make the fee payment for the relevant exam.
  • Schedule testing appointment.

For CFP,

  • Create an account at the CFP Board website and complete the exam registration form.
  • Make the payment for the registration fee.
  • Schedule testing appointment.

Therefore, the candidate should try to analyse their field of interest, skills and career expectations before selecting the type of course they want to study. It is very important to do this at an early level so that they get the time to become competent in their respective fields and start a successful career early in life.

It is a guide to what is CFA Vs CFP. We explain which is better along with infographics, comparative table, skills obtained, duration & eligibility. If you wish to evaluate other financial certifications, you can also checkout –

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Baelish says

    I am evaluating a career in Finance. Which one will be easier – CFA or CFP?

    • Dheeraj Vaidya says

      Hello Baelish,
      Strictly between the two, CFP is much easier exam to pass. However, your choice of finance career should depend on what you want to take within Finance – Do you want to move in Corporate finance, Investment Banking etc, then choose CFA, however, if you like Financial Planning (real estate, tax etc) then go for CFP.
      Thanks,
      Dheeraj

  2. Young k says

    I have completed my CPA exam and wondering if I should enroll for the CFP examination. I am 28 years old and don’t want to miss anything. Will this help me in resume building?

    • Dheeraj Vaidya says

      Hi Young,

      Given that you already have an accounting background, not sure why you want to take the CFP examination. Do you have keen interest in Financial Planning (real estate, tax planning etc). In addition, you should not the experience requirements as well. Please have a look at this URL. You will have to move into financial planning role within 2-3 years of passing the examination as you are expected to complete the 3 years of client service or 2 years of apprenticeship within 5 years.

      Best,
      Dheeraj

  3. Larry Yervandi says

    I am an engineer with 5 years of experience. I want to learn finance and change my career to be financial planner (CFP). Do you it is practical for me think about it now ?

    • Dheeraj Vaidya says

      Hi Larry,

      Ofcourse it is practical. If you have keen interest in finance, you can appear for the CFP exam. CFP leads to a job in financial advisory who are nothing but sales guys. You can also look at financial planning for retirement planning, real estate, tax planning among others.

      Thanks,
      Dheeraj

  4. Phillip Abraham says

    I think CFP is making more sense to me with a combination of ACCA P4 i can have a good stand of the whole thing.Thanks Dheeraj

    • Dheeraj Vaidya says

      sure Phillip! All the very best!

      Dheeraj

  5. Hai says

    Dheeraj, can you please advise if its make sense to hold both designation?

    • Dheeraj says

      Hai,

      If you wish to make a career in Investment Management (portfolio management) then I think it makes sense. Both the certifications cover Portfolio managemetn pretty exhaustively and will provide you with in-depth knowledge on the same.

      Thanks,
      Dheeraj

  6. Amandeep Dhaka says

    Hi Dheeraj,

    I am studying actuarial science and working as an analyst, I am wondering which one among CFA andd CFP is better for me and which one is paid more ?

    Warm Regards,

    Amandeep

    • Dheeraj says

      Hi Amandeep,

      I am not sure why you are looking for either of the two degrees – CFA or CFP. I believe there are advanced degrees in Actuaries that you can take to boost your career growth and interests.

      Best,
      Dheeraj

  7. BABU says

    I am very much interested in the CFA but the fees are very high. In this regard, is there any chance to get scholarship backed by the CFA. Please advise me

  8. Mohammad says

    I think the CFP will be better because faster , low cost and easy more than CFP.
    You can use CFP to be your door for CFP.

    • Dheeraj says

      Hi Mohammad,

      It depends on what is your ultimate objective. If you have keen interest in portfolio management and want to connect with investors and advise them, then CFP makes lot of sense. However, if your primary objective is to get into investment Banking, I think CFA makes more sense.

      Thanks,
      Dheeraj

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