Professionals often look for those types of certifications that enhance their credibility and expertise. Among the most valuable certifications are the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Certified Management Accountant. Although both of the certifications are recognised globally, there are some distinctions that are the big differences. Continue reading below if you want to know the difference between them.
What is CFA?
The full form of CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA® is a globally recognised credential that helps you demonstrate mastery over advanced investment analysis & real-time portfolio management. If you are an investment professional and want to take your studies further to get a designated job, CFA course is at your doorstep. Chartered Financial Analyst is the most enviable choice for investment and financial professionals. CFA course is a postgraduate professional programme that is offered internationally by the CFA Institute.
Completing the three levels of the CFA increases the Probability of landing a high-paying, reputable job in finance and investment management. The CFA course encompasses a wide range of subjects, including advanced investment probability theory, analysis, fixed income, derivatives, corporate finance, statistics, alternative investments, and portfolio management.
What is CMA?
US CMA course stands for Certified Management Accountant. It is the highest level of certification for management accountants awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA has 140000+ members spread across 150+ countries and 300 chapters.
This certification is for those who wish to work in the accounting and finance related sector. It prepares you for decision-making roles so that you can lead and guide the organisation/team members. This certification is the ultimate goal for those who are working in the accounting and finance-related sector and wish to expand their careers globally in as little as 6 to 9 months.
Difference Between CMA vs CFA
- CFA vs CMA Eligibility
CFA:
- To fulfil the CFA eligibility requirement, you must have a bachelor’s or equivalent degree. If you are not sure that your degree is equivalent to a bachelor’s, you can contact your college or university. Candidates who are undergraduates but have enrolled for graduation can take the CFA Level 1 exam. If you are within 11 months of graduation, you can sit for the Level 2 exam. You need a graduation degree in finance, banking, or a related field to take the CFA Level 3 exam.
- Working professionals must complete 4000 working hours in 36 months to be eligible to apply for the CFA exam. Qualified hours should be directly related to the investment decision-making process. Any full-time, part-time or remote work will also act as work experience. Candidates must also meet the professional conduct admission requirements. Candidates who wish to apply must also have a passport.
CMA:
- You will have to see if you are eligible for the exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Either that or you must hold a related professional certification. You will have to register for the exams and successfully clear both part 1 and part 2.
- Then, you will have to fulfil the 2 years of experience in management accounting or financial management. This requirement may be completed prior to or within seven years of passing the examination. After completing the exams and experience, you can apply for your CMA Certificate.
- CMA vs CFA Time Duration
CMA:
The US CMA course duration depends on your own dedication and pace. It can be completed in as little as 6 months or even within a maximum time limit of 3 years from the date of registration. To earn the certification, you will have to clear 2 papers (Part 1 and Part 2) that can be given in any order that you like.
CFA:
The duration of the CFA course is between 1.5 and 4 years. On average, a student takes approximately 2 years to pass the exams. Candidates must also meet the professional conduct admission requirements to sit for the exam.
- CFA vs CMA salary in India
- The average salary of CFA is up to 10 LPA. On completion of the CFA course, the probability of getting a job with a higher salary increases. Sectors such as Risk Analysis and Risk Management, portfolio management, investment strategy, consulting and research ensure the highest salaries.
- A US CMA earns upto 20 lakhs per year and an entry-level US CMA with less than 3 years of experience can earn an average income of 7.6 lakhs per year. Earning a US CMA certification can increase your salary by 58% than a non-CMA, according to industry research.
- CFA vs CMA job opportunities
CMA:
- Chief Financial Controller
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Financial Manager
- Risk Manager
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst
- Management Accountant
- Cost Accountant
CFA:
- Private Wealth Management
- Commercial Banking
- Insurance
- Asset Management
- Investment Strategy
- Consulting
- Research
- Risk analysis and Risk management
Conclusion
Both the CFA and CMA courses are globally recognised certifications that can boost your career. The CFA course is ideal for those who want to go into more quantitative fields and have deep expertise in finance and quantitative analysis. The CMA on the other hand is for professionals who want to have a leadership role and have a shorter duration. The major difference between the two is the syllabus and the duration to complete each course. Choosing between CMA vs CFA completely depends on which field you want to go for and the skill set you want to have.
Going for CMA or CFA is completely your choice but the right institution is what matters the most! VG Learning Destination is one of the best CFA course institutions in India in 2026. They also provide live + recorded lectures, weekend and weekday classes and doubt-clearing sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
- Is CFA harder than CMA?
Yes. The CFA certification is more difficult to pursue than the CMA. It is considered harder because it has a more quantitative syllabus and it covers broader and deeper finance topics. It takes longer to complete and pass the exams whereas CMA is more focused on management accounting and it can be finished faster.
- Which is better CFA or CMA?
The “better” depends on you. If you want a career in investment management, equity research and portfolio analysis etc, you can go for CFA. But if you are looking forward to management accounting, corporate finance and decision making roles, you should go for CMA.
- Is US CMA easy to pass?
Since the average rate of passing aspirants is 45% which is less than half the total aspirants appearing for the exam, the difficulty of the US CMA examination is quite hard but with the best US CMA course institution in India, one can definitely be able to crack it in months.
