Difference Between CPA & CFA

Making money is hard, managing properly the money you made proves to be harder. Few of us can flex with high levels of financial literacy, especially when it comes to saving or investing. While some may underestimate the importance to manage financial resources, most people will look for ways to manage their money in a better way. This is where professionals like CPA and CFA come into the game. The CPA WHO? Okay, let’s see who is who in the world of accounting, and then you will decide which one is better for you. 


Certified Public Accountant: 

A CPA is an accountant who’s trained to offer different types of accounting services. Preparing and finalizing taxes for individuals and companies is basically what a CPA does. CPA professionals can choose from different career prospects such as tax advising, tax auditing, accounting jobs, and many more. If a person needs assistance in preparing their taxes, CPA is the person to go to. CPAs can also offer their services to the people who seek advice on matters such as business organization partnerships. People who’re looking to minimize taxes and maximize profitability, they should consult a CPA. 

 

A certified public accountant (CPA) is a person who has completed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, developed and administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and who meets their state’s requirements for membership into the institute’s ranks. There are also minimum education requirements.


Certified Financial Analyst:

A CFA is a professional financial analyst who’s trained to properly analyze several types of financial options and provide investment prospects to financial planners and investment companies. Some of the positions that CFAs usually work as are, portfolio managers, research analysts, risk managers, financial advisers, and many more. Basically, you go to a CFA if you have decent amounts of money and are thinking of making investments with it. CFAs also perform the growth analysis of companies and provide profitability reports about firms. A CFA can also offer you their in-depth analysis of your company’s creditworthiness.  

A certified financial analyst (CFA) is a person who has completed the requirements of the program set out by the CFA Institute. This includes having a bachelor’s degree, completing three six-hour tests, and gaining the necessary experience (currently four years) in the investment industry. People with these designations are expected to maintain strict codes of conduct and high standards of ethics and integrity.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Both the CFA and CPA designations require passing examinations and meeting educational requirements.

A CFA generally analyzes financial reports—notably financial statements, while a CPA is most often the one that puts together or audits those reports.

CFAs are best known for investment analysis and wealth planning, and CPAs tend to be associated with taxes, audits, and accounting.