CFP vs MBA – Which one to Choose? Making the right decision is what you want. If you are confused between the CFP exam and MBA, then this article may help you solve some queries. Let’s check the above career titles along with how they can help you start your career correctly and your career growth.
We will discuss the following in this article –
- CFP vs MBA Infographics
- What is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
- What is a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)?
- CFP vs MBA Exam Requirements
- Why pursue CFP?
- Why pursue an MBA?
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CFP vs MBA Infographics
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Let’s understand the difference between these two streams with the help of this CFP vs MBA Infographics.
CFP vs MBA Summary
| Section | CFP | MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Organized By | CFP is organized by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards or the CFP board | There are a number of institutes that offer MBA program. |
| Number of Levels | CFP is a single examination spread over 2 days approximately for 10 hours. | MBA is a 2 year course backed by an internship program. |
| Mode of examination | CFP is an online examination which is spread over 2 days for 10 hrs | MBA examinations defers with institutions |
| Exam Window | Held thrice in a year in Mar. 14–21, 2017 July 11-18, 2017 and Nov. 7-14, 2017 | The MBA program is set in a semester mode and the two year course sees a candidate pass out four semesters. The exam window is different for different B-schools. |
| Subjects | CFP covers financial planning as a subject. | MBA focuses on economics, accounting, operations and marketing along with a specialization that is chosen by the candidate. |
| Pass percentage | In 2016, the overall pass rate was 70 percent | MBA Exam pass percentage is 50% |
| Fees | The actual CFP exam cost is $695.However, you can apply up to six weeks before the date. If you do that, your cost would be $595. If you apply during the last two weeks before the date, then your CFP exam fees would come up to $795. | Around $40,000 or $50,000 depending upon the B-school and the area of specialization |
| Job opportunities /job titles | CFP legal financial planner, estate planner, investment planner, insurance planner, tax consultant, etc | MBA: Managers, leaders, operations and sales heads, etc |
What is Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
CFP helps you gain a seal of professional certification of a financial planner. This course is conducted by the Certified Planner Board of Standards or the CFP board. This board is based in the USA. 25 other organizations are authorized to conduct this certification course examination because of their affiliation with the CFP. CFP gives you international recognition as a financial planner, affiliated organizations outside the USA as also known as the international owners of CFP.
The examination continuously for 2 days for 4 hours per day gives you the designation of CFP for which you need to pay a fee for registration, examination and study material. And along with paying the fee the candidate needs to meet the course’s education criteria by appearing for examinations, experiencing the financial planning and of course following its ethical standards by following is code of ethics. The specifications of this course or this certificate are different for both the USA and the UK candidates.
What is Masters in Business Administration (MBA)?
This master’s degree is not just a certification it’s a fully-fledged degree with options of multiple specializations. Depending on the institution you clear your MBA from you will have your national and international recognition added to your career. This degree helps develop your talent and know-how that is important in building your career in business and management. This course helps you build your career in either a private or a public sector or even in a government sector company. MBA focuses on important subjects of commerce such as economics, accounting, marketing and also operations, along with other optional subjects that the candidate would like to pursue. The optional subject can be used by the candidate for either his personal or professional requirements. The most exciting part of the MBA is its internship program that the candidate can pursue in a company; this guides them to their right and required job opportunities after they successfully complete their course.
CFP and MBA exam requirements
CFP
Requirement for examination
- This examination does not need to be taken lightly as it is a two-day exam for approximately 10 hrs with a number of multiple-choice questions.
- The examination window opens in March, July, and November in different locations.
- If you are not good at studying by yourself or you have difficulties understanding the subject please seek guidance as you need to pay the examination fee.
MBA
Requirements for examination
- Only after clearing a GMAT or a GRE test the candidate can seek admission in an MBA institute.
- MBA is a 2-year program followed by graduation.
- Internship is a part of this program
- In some institutes, only candidates with professional experience can apply.
Why Pursue CFP?
If client management is on your mind and if you are also good at planning finances for your clients that is their money then you must complete CFP as it will add value to your career by boosting your talent and know-how skills. You can work for individual clients by handling their financial goals by guiding them through legal restrictions, financial laws, investment and tax planning, insurances and benefits, etc.
To understand the client better you need to understand his financial requirement, for that, you need to understand the clients business better, to do so you need to prepare a background, do a little homework by interviewing the client, know about his finances his incoming and outgoing money, prepare a financial plan for your client, execute the plan accordingly and finally monitor the outcome of the plan. That’s the financial planner’s moral responsibility,
CFP gives you the option of working as a self-employed, or in an organization as a financial advisor, these organizations can be an insurance company, a bank, a mutual fund company or an AMC.
Why Pursue MBA?
To add value to your existing career MBA is just perfect, in fact even if you are a fresher and have just passed out of an MBA institute you definitely will start your career well. MBA is added value to your career, to your education. Besides giving you the option of choosing your specialization MBA also trains you in economics, accounting, operations, and marketing in depth. Internship being an important part of the MBA gives the candidate the corporate world exposure required as most of the students need to join a company to know and live in the work culture.
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Conclusion
The decision between CFP vs MBA can be made easier if you are clear on what genre of knowledge you wish to pursue. The answer lies between financial planning or management. The scope gets restrictive to financial planning with CFP and wider with management in MBA. Make your choice wisely keeping in mind all that we discussed above.
Austin Joseph says
Nice article and great comparison. I was searching the notes on CA and MBA, the differences between these two. But I didn’t found it, so please share me if you have any kind of study material on CA vs MBA differences. Thanks in advance.
Dheeraj Vaidya says
Hi Austin, Thanks for the note. You can check this link – CA vs MBA to know the differences between CA and MBA.
Ashley Maverick says
First I want to thank u for sharing this article and making my confusion a bit clear. I also wanted to ask you something that is, i am preparing for an MBA interview and I am a bit scared and actually don’t know what questions do the interviewer asks during the interview? Can you tell me some common questions that are usually asked?
Dheeraj Vaidya says
Many thanks Ashley! And good to hear that you are preparing for an MBA interview. Well you don’t need to worry and don’t be scared. I can’t tell you the actual question which the interviewers ask but I can tell you some common MBA interview questions.
1. How would your colleagues describe you?
2. Give your view on management
3. What is your definition of success and failure?
4. Do you know who our competitors are?
5. Do you feel that you are an organized person?
6. How do you manage your time?
7. Are you a risk taker or do you like to play it safe? Give reasons
These are some of the common MBA interview questions. I hope this may help you. Good Luck!!