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Best finance executive certifications

Finance executive certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an finance executive to employers. However, not all finance executive certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a finance executive are Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Below is a list of the best finance executive certifications. Obtaining an finance executive certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

5 best certifications for finance executives

5 best finance executive certifications

1. Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global body for professional accountants with 219,000 members and 517,000 students in 179 countries. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1974 which commits it to acting in and upholding the public interest. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development. In addition to IFAC membership, ACCA is represented on key regional forums including the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), Accountancy Europe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and is a member of CCAB in the UK and Ireland. It undertakes wide-ranging capacity building work globally and has an extensive network of partnerships with other professional accountancy organizations.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

3. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The CFA charter is recognized as the definitive standard by which to measure the competence, integrity, and dedication of serious investment professionals.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Chartered Financial Analyst
Certifying organization
CFA Institute

4. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

The CGMA letters are worth having after your name. They stand for Chartered Global Management Accountant and they show employers that you mean business. The CGMA designation is the most widely held management accounting designation in the world. It boldly announces your commercial skills, strategic vision and transformational mindset. Employers, colleagues and stakeholders alike will recognize that you’ve got entrepreneurial and leadership acumen. That you’re in a pivotal position to analyze information, advise strategy and drive business success. And they’ll know all this just by looking at those four letters after your name.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? No

5. Certified in Financial Management

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

What is the best certification for a finance executive?

The best finance executive certification is Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). The Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) is awarded by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this finance executive certification:

  • To become a certified Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), you don't need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 1 year.
Best certifications

The most common combination of finance executive certifications include: Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Online courses for finance executives to earn certifications

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