CFA vs CFP

Difference Between CFA vs CFP

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) CFP and CFA are both prestigious certifications in their respective fields. If you want a kick start in the finance industry you must be confused between these two exams. Both of these exams are gateways in the field of finance. CFA and CFP are unique in their own ways. As both of these require a lot of time, money and energy So, before selecting one, have a thorough look at both of these exams and decide what suits you the best.

Head to Head differences Between CFA vs CFP (Infographics)

Below are the top 12 differences between CFA vs CFP:

Key Differences Between CFA vs CFP

Let us discuss some of the major key differences between CFA vs CFP:

1. CFP targets individuals as their clients to meet their financial goals for the long term. e.g. Education for the child, buying a house. etc whereas CFA targets wealth management and financial planning for a huge organization like JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Citigroup, Bank of America, etc.
2. CFA focuses on investment management skills which are required on a global level. CFA works with corporate clients while a CFP works for an individual level. CFA institute gives candidates real-world skills in managing a portfolio and advanced investment management skills. CFA is directly involved with the trading of assets -commodities, currencies, and derivatives. CFP manages an investment portfolio for a particular client. CFP often outsources trading; CFP has a little bit of knowledge about everything.
3. The 10 topics covered in the CFA program are Ethical and professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, Alternative Investment, and portfolio management. A few main topics covered in CFP are Risk analysis and insurance planning, tax and estate planning, investment planning, retirement planning, and employee benefits. Both of the certifications put a greater emphasis on ethics.
4. There are three levels to clear in CFA along with 4 years of qualifying experience and annual membership renewal before getting a chartered certification. The experience can be completed before, during or after completing the CFA Program. Level 1 is organized by CFA Institute in June and December of every year whereas level 2,3 only in June. CFP consists of just one level with 3 years of professional experience.
5. CFA is considered as one of the most difficult exams in the finance sector. Getting a CFA degree is considered the same as doing a post-graduation in the finance and investing sectors. Comparatively CFP exam is easy to clear.
6. CFA Institute, US organize CFA examination. CFA is a global level designation. It also has offices in Europe and Asia. CFP Board, US organizes CFP examination. CFP Board is a non-profit organization
7. The duration of the exam for CFA is 6 hrs per level. 3hrs paper in the morning and remaining 3 hrs in the afternoon. Conducted in a single day. CFP, on the other hand, is 10 hrs conducted in two days of interval. CFP exam consists of 170 multiple choice questions which are conducted in two hrs three sessions. According to the CFA institute for every level 300 hrs study is required to clear. That is 900 of the study to clear the entire three exams. To earn CFA designation, you need 2.5-3 years and for CFP 1 year.
8. The passing percentage of the CFA exam is comparatively very low. The percentage of people who get cleared varies along with the three levels, around 45 percent is the average. CFP, on the other hand, has a passing percentage of around 70 percent. For June 2019 the passing percentage is level 1=41 percentage, level2=44 percentage, level 3=56 percentage. That simply means 50 percent of people who take their exams do not clear in their first attempt. For 2018 CFP pass rate was 60 percent. If you don’t clear CFP in the first attempt you have a lifetime of five attempts. You can retake the exam quickly unlike CFA where you have to wait till June.
9. CFA institute charges fees between $1950 to $4140 for all three levels assuming you clear the first time. The fee structure varies in three parts depending upon if you pay early, mediate or late. CFA Institute also sends a study material of 4000-5000 pages along with three mocks and practice questions on its official site when you log in. Depending upon the registration time early or regular CFP fees structure varies between $750 to $850.
10. There is the number of career paths a CFA can take but they are more focused on research and investment analysis fields. titles in future for CFA holders would be maximum(23percent) for portfolio managers, Research analyst (16 percent), Consultant and executive (7 percent each), Risk manager and Financial analyst (6 percent each), Financial advisor and relationship manager (5 percent each). These no’s are according to a survey conducted. For CFP employment could be as a financial manager or risk manager or retirement planner or estate planner. CFP can start their financial planning firm. They can work for a retail bank or a brokerage firm.
11. A candidate should have a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree with work experience and a passport is compulsory for an exam for the CFA exam. For CFP it should be necessary for doing a 10+2 degree. The benefits of pursuing CFA are real-world expertise, ethical grounding, in-depth knowledge, global community, and global recognition. Doing CFP when you don’t want to invest a lot of money and get knowledge of all the fields.

CFA vs CFP Comparison Table

Let’s discuss the top comparison between CFA vs CFP:

Conclusion

In choosing any career path you have to ask yourself where do you see yourself down the line? What kind of work you want to perform, where do you want to work and match according to the requirements? Both of these professions have ample opportunities in the future.

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