Which finance qualification is best?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The best finance qualification is having globally recognized certifications. These qualifications can unlock many opportunities but are not for the faint of heart. It takes hundreds of hours of formal training and studying to pass these examinations. Therefore, it's important to pinpoint a track you want to focus on and then pick a finance qualification that best aligns with your goals.

Five globally recognized certifications for financial professionals:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA): ideal certification for professionals aiming to have a career in accounting or auditing. The course is much more focused, emphasizing corporate finance, making it unfit for those considering careers outside of the accounting field.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is one of the most highly regarded and challenging designations many financial professionals take up. CFA is also a truly versatile financial certificate. It allows you to pursue different economic career paths, including investment banking and portfolio management.
Certified Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) is a very concentrated qualification that focuses on alternative investments, unlike CFA, which also leans toward other investment assets like equity, fixed income, and derivatives.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a specialized designation for anyone seeking to make a career out of financial planning or wealth management. Financial professionals in this category usually handle the entire portfolios of their clients and make major financial decisions for them.
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is another broad-based financial designation with numerous careers not limited to banks and financial institutions. CMA license holders may work for a wide range of enterprises and companies, taking major roles in economic decision making