Difference Between CPA, CMA, and CFA

The primary difference in professionals with a CPA, CMA, or CFA certification lies in their area of expertise. While a CPA specializes in general accounting and finance, a CMA is an expert in management accounting and a CFA in finance and investment services. In the context of CPA vs CMA vs CFA, although these professionals function in the finance domain, each possesses a different skill set.

CPAs mainly provide taxation, auditing, and accounting services. CFA charterholders deal with investment management, hedge fundsHedge FundsA hedge fund is an aggressively invested portfolio made through pooling of various investors and institutional investor’s fund. It supports various assets providing high returns in exchange for higher risk through multiple risk management and hedging techniques.read more, and equity researchEquity ResearchEquity Research refers to the study of a business, i.e., analyzing a company’s financials, performing Ratio Analysis, Financial forecasting in Excel (Financial Modeling), & exploring scenarios to make insightful BUY/HOLD/SELL stock investment recommendations. Moreover, the Equity Research Analysts discuss their findings & details in the Equity Research Reports. read more, while CMAs handle cost and inventory accounting and strategic planning. Kindly note that CPA is a U.S.-recognized credential, whereas the others are globally recognized ones.

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CPA vs CMA vs CFA – Comparative Table

What is a CPA?

CPA, CMA, and CFA are the most sought-after professional credentials in the business world. The professionals with these credentials command a higher salary, better career prospects, and a professional edge over others in the accounting and finance domain. To gain a better understanding, let’s discuss each term individually. Let’s start with CPA.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed accounting professional who has passed the Uniform CPA examCPA ExamA Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a US state board-issued license to practice the accounting professionread more and met the state boards’ necessary education and experience requirements. The American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) coordinates with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to conduct this exam and issue the license. 

You can consider CPAs as the cream of the crop in the accounting profession. A CPA license ensures credibility and expertise in the practice of the profession. Getting the CPA certification paves the road to a rewarding finance career in any industry.

CPAs, unlike other certified professionals, offer a wide range of other services apart from financial consulting. It includes accounting, auditing, tax preparation, and tax filing. Hence, they can act as accountants, auditorsAuditorsAn auditor is a professional appointed by an enterprise for an independent analysis of their accounting records and financial statements. An auditor issues a report about the accuracy and reliability of financial statements based on the country’s local operating laws.read more, tax professionals, forensic accountants, financial advisors, business consultants, or chief financial officers (CFOs).

To get the CPA license, you must:

  • Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.Meet educational standards specified by your State Board of AccountancyFulfill professional experience requirement set by your State Board of AccountancyPass the Ethics exam (depending on your state board)

The CPA exam consists of four sections. You have to clear all the four sections within 18 months. With the continuous testing model, you can take the exam anytime during the year. To apply for the CPA exam, check the NASBA website. 

The CPA exam content covers all aspects of accounting and finance to ensure licensed CPAs have extensive knowledge to conduct their duties. For details related to the exam’s content, structure, and format, check the AICPA website and go through the CPA Exam Blueprints.

After attaining your CPA license, ensure its renewal every 1-3 years (as per the state board requirement) by fulfilling the Continuing Professional Education (CPE). Kindly keep yourself updated since the requirements keep changing as per the State Board’s amendments to its regulations and policies.

What is a CMA?

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an internationally recognized credential for finance professionals specializing in management accounting. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) confers the CMA certification.

The primary role of a CMA is to prepare business reports to assist management in decision making. A CMA specializes in financial planningFinancial PlanningFinancial planning is a structured approach to understanding your current and future financial goals and then taking the necessary measures to accomplish them. Because this does not begin and end in a specific time frame, it is referred to as an ongoing process.read more, budgeting, business analysis, cost controllingCost ControllingCost control is a tool used by an organization in regulating and controlling the functioning of a manufacturing concern by limiting the costs within a planned level. It begins with preparing a budget, evaluating the actual performance, and implementing the necessary actions required to rectify any discrepancies.read more, and strategic decision-making.

A CMA has the right blend of business and accounting expertise to evaluate a firm’s financial situation and make well-informed business decisions. This strategic decision-making ability empowers the CMA to take up leadership positions effortlessly.

To become a CMA, you have to do the following:

  • Enroll as a member in IMASubmit the CMA entrance feesMeet the educational requirementsFulfill the work experience requirementsPass the CMA examCMA ExamChartered Management Accountant (CMA) is an important credential to accountants and financial professionals by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to validate their capabilities in management accounting. Its exam dates and notifications are readily available on the IMA website.read moreFinish 30 hours of CPE, including two hours of ethics.Abide by the IMA’s ethical professional practice policy

To take the CMA exam, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a professional accounting certification along with two continuous years of work experience in the field of financial or management accounting.

The CMA exam consists of two parts. It takes 12-18 months on average to pass both the parts. However, you are allowed a maximum of three years to finish it. While comparing the difficulty of CPA vs CMA vs CFA exams, the CMA exams are considered to be easier than the others. This is because the CMA curriculum is more limited as compared to that of CPA and CFA.

For more information on the CMA exam syllabus, please check the IMA’s Learning Outcome Statements webpage.

What is a CFA?

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a certified professional specializing in finance and investment management services. The CFA Institute grants this certification only after completing the CFA program and fulfilling the necessary work experience requirements.

CFA charterholders can work as investment managers, money managers, asset managers, portfolio managersPortfolio ManagersA portfolio manager is a financial market expert who strategically designs investment portfolios.read more, research analysts, risk managers, or entrepreneurs. They can also expand their career horizon by holding executive or senior-level positions.

With their niche financial analysisFinancial AnalysisFinancial analysis is an analysis of finance-related projects/activities, company’s financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and notes to accounts) or financial ratios to evaluate the company’s results, performance, and trends, which is useful for making significant decisions such as investment, project planning and financing activities.read more skills, CFAs primarily cater to the investment industry. They work in different sectors like asset or risk management firms, commercial banksCommercial BanksA commercial bank refers to a financial institution that provides various financial solutions to the individual customers or small business clients. It facilitates bank deposits, locker service, loans, checking accounts, and different financial products like savings accounts, bank overdrafts, and certificates of deposits.read more, audit firms, consulting firms, investment houses, insurance companies, etc.

To become a CFA charterholder, you must:

  • Enroll in the CFA programClear the CFA ExamCFA ExamThe Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program offers a graduate-level curriculum and examination program designed to expand your working knowledge and practical skills related to investment decision-making. read moreMeet the work experience requirementsApply to enroll as a regular member in the CFA InstituteSubmit professional reference letters along with the applicationBecome a CFA on acceptance of the application

To enroll for the CFA program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any stream or 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education over a minimum period of 3 successive years. For more information on requirements for the CFA program, check the CFA Institute website.

The CFA exam consists of three levels. You can take each level twice a year with a maximum of six attempts for each level. There is no time limit to complete the CFA program.

The CFA Institute also offers study tools, scholarships, and prep providers to assist you in learning. Furthermore, you can interpret your exam result, look at the historical pass rates, and know more about the syllabus and scoring criteria of the CFA exam from the CFA website. 

CPA vs CMA vs CFA Infographics

This has been a guide to CPA vs CMA vs CFA. Here we discuss the key differences between the 3 certification exams along with comparision table and infographics. You may also have a look at the following CPA articles to learn more –

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