CFA vs CPA: Choosing the right path in finance; prospects, roles

Indian Express

21-06-2025

('The Right Choice' is a series by The Indian Express that addresses common questions, misconceptions, and doubts surrounding undergraduate admissions. You can read the stories here.)
— Subhash Kumar Verma
The Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) are two of the most respected and well-known qualifications in the world for anyone who wants to work in finance. Even though both can lead to good jobs in the financial business, they are meant for different career paths and should be chosen based on your career ambitions.
Many people think that the CFA charter is the best standard for people who work in finance. Its full curriculum focuses on wealth planning, portfolio management, asset appraisal, and investment analysis. People who have a CFA charter often work as portfolio managers, research analysts, investment bankers, or risk analysts. There are three levels in the curriculum, and each one is hard and takes about 300 hours of study. It normally takes between two and four years to get the CFA credential. This includes the required 4,000 hours of relevant work experience. The tests are hard, but getting the charter shows that you know a lot about investing.
On the other hand, the CPA license is the highest level of certification in the accounting field. It is mostly about audits, taxes, corporate law, and financial reporting. CPAs are very important in jobs like being an auditor, a tax counsellor, a controller, or a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). There are four parts to the CPA exam, and most people can do it in 18 months to two years, which is shorter than the CFA exam. Candidates must also complete state-specific education requirements, which are usually 150 semester hours, and have 1 to 2 years of supervised work experience under a certified CPA.
CPAs are very important in many fields, such as public accounting, corporate finance, government, and non-profit. They make sure that rules are followed and that money is handled properly. People who work in investment-related sectors, including asset management, hedge funds, private equity, and financial advising businesses, admire CFA charter holders.
Pay for both jobs is competitive and depends on the industry, location, and level of expertise. Senior CFA experts who work in investments usually make more money, while CPAs who work as executives, like CFOs, also make a lot of money.
Your career goals should ultimately help you decide whether to get a CFA or a CPA. The CFA qualification is a good fit for you if you love analysing investments, making financial plans, and working in the capital markets. The CPA license is the best way to go if you want to work in accounting, auditing, taxes, or making sure that rules are followed. Both certifications are valuable tools that can help you get ahead in your career and get a lot of professional recognition. They will also show that you are an expert in the ever-changing world of finance.
The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation is ideal for individuals who are passionate about investment management, financial analysis, and capital markets. It is best suited for those who enjoy working with data, evaluating financial performance, and making strategic investment decisions. If you're analytical, detail-oriented, and interested in understanding how economies, industries, and companies operate financially, the CFA path is a strong fit.
You should consider the CFA if you aspire to roles such as:
– Portfolio Manager
– Research Analyst
– Equity or Credit Analyst
– Investment Banker
– Financial Strategist
– Risk Manager
– Wealth Manager or Private Banker
Candidates who thrive in finance-focused environments like investment banks, asset management firms, hedge funds, mutual funds, and private equity will find the CFA highly valuable. The program's global recognition also makes it particularly advantageous for those aiming for international finance roles.
The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) designation is tailored for individuals who have a strong interest in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial reporting. If you are detail-driven, have a strong ethical foundation, and enjoy working with compliance frameworks, legal standards, and organisational financial structures, the CPA is an excellent choice.
You should consider the CPA if you aim to become a:
– Public Accountant or Auditor
– Tax Advisor or Consultant
– Financial Controller
– Forensic Accountant
– Budget Analyst
– Internal Auditor
– Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The CPA license is especially valuable in public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, consulting firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. It is also a critical credential for professionals aspiring to senior leadership positions in finance and accounting.
CFA charter holders are in high demand in the global investment and financial services industries. The designation opens doors to advanced roles that involve managing investment portfolios, conducting complex financial analysis, and advising institutional or high-net-worth clients. Some of the top industries hiring CFAs include:
– Investment Banking
– Asset and Wealth Management
– Hedge Funds
– Private Equity and Venture Capital
– Financial Advisory and Consulting
– Corporate Finance and Strategy Teams
– Director of Investments
– Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
– Head of Research
– Risk Director
– Senior Analyst or Fund Manager
The CFA designation is also globally portable, allowing professionals to work across countries and financial hubs such as New York, London, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Singapore.
CPAs enjoy robust and stable career opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Their expertise in financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and tax planning makes them indispensable to organizations. CPAs often begin their careers in public accounting or auditing firms, and with experience, progress into higher management and executive roles.
Industries and sectors hiring CPAs include:
– Public Accounting Firms (Big Four and mid-sized firms)
– Corporations (especially in accounting, FP&A, and compliance teams)
– Government and Regulatory Bodies (e.g., IRS, State Audit Departments)
– Non-Profit and Educational Institutions
– Internal Audit and Risk Departments
With experience, CPAs can grow into roles such as:
– Finance Director
– Corporate Controller
– Vice President of Finance
– Partner in a Public Accounting Firm
– Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CPAs also have an edge in entrepreneurial ventures such as starting a tax consultancy, audit firm, or boutique advisory practice.
Both the CFA and CPA offer distinguished career paths, but they cater to different professional passions:
– Choose CFA if your goal is to build a career in investment analysis, portfolio management, or finance strategy on a global stage.
– Choose the CPA if you're inclined toward accounting, auditing, taxation, or corporate finance with a focus on compliance and financial reporting.
– Your choice should align with your interests, long-term goals, and the type of financial work you find most fulfilling. Both credentials are well-respected, offer excellent career advancement, and will significantly strengthen your professional profile.
(Dr Subhash Kumar Verma is Dean School of Business Management at Noida International University –Greater Noida, India)