CA vs CFA: Which is Better?, Salary, Eligibility, Scope

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What is a Chartered Accountant(CA)?

Chartered Accountancy is a professional qualification in accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance management. It is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India(ICAI) and is the ultimate goal for commerce students and they are highly preferred by Indian businesses.

Key Focus Areas for CA Aspirants

The key focus for a CA aspirant is accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance management. The focus can be on conducting internal and external auditing, maintaining financial records and ledgers, tax planning, and advisory for individuals and businesses, and also on identifying financial risk and advising on corporate governance.

Eligibility for CA Examinations:

Students graduating from 12th and 10th with at least 50% can pursue entry-level CA exams, while graduates with a bachelor’s degree can directly take the CA exam. Candidates with a commerce background during their 12th are comparatively preferred over other candidates.

Exams Structure:

The exam is conducted in three levels, foundation, intermediate, and final, and it is conducted on a subjective basis. On completing all three levels, candidates have to complete a mandatory 3-year articleship training to receive the CA certification.

Career Scope of CA Aspirants:

The CA aspirants have opportunities in various industries, offering high salaries, and global recognition. Some of the career options are:

  • Internal auditor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Corporate finance
  • Management Consulting
  • Tax Consultant
  • Business Consultant

Chartered Accountants Salary in India:

The salary for a CA candidate will vary depending on the role, industry, and experience level, while most of the variation will be due to the skills and experience of the candidate.

  • Freshers: the average salary is 6 – 12 lakhs per annum
  • Mid-Experienced: The mid-experienced salary would range from 12 lakhs to 24 lakhs.
  • Senior level: A Senior executive will gain a salary of 70 lakhs per annum which can vary spending the industry they are working.

What is Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?

The Chartered Financial Analyst(CFA) is a globally recognized prestigious certification in finance, with knowledge in investment and financial management. The program trains you in finance analysis and modeling skills that are required for the finance job market.

Key Focus Areas for CA Aspirants:

The Chartered Financial Analyst(CFA) is a globally recognized prestigious certification in finance, with knowledge in investment and financial management. The program trains you in finance analysis and modeling skills that are required for the finance job market.

Key Focus Areas for CA Aspirants:

The eligibility criteria for a CFA exam is that the candidate should have a bachelor’s degree or have 4000+ hours of working experience to qualify for the exam. The program duration can be completed in 3-4 years based on students ability.

Exams Structure:

The exams for CFA certification are authorized by the CFA institute, while the exams are conducted in three levels I, II, and III, and it is objective and essay-oriented.

Career Scope for CFA Aspirants:

The CFA certificants choose careers in high-paying with global recognition. Some of the career options include:

  • Equity research analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Investment consultant
  • Financial statement analyzer
  • Management consulting
  • Quantitative analyst

CFAs Salary in India:

The salary for the CFA candidates varies depending on the role they opt for and the professional experience they have.

  • Level 1: The level CFA candidates get a salary of 6 – 10 lakhs per annum.
  • Level 2: With the level 2 certification, the candidates gain a salary of about 13 lakhs per annum.
  • Level 3: On gaining the level 3 certification, they can get a salary from 17 lakhs to about 45 lakhs per annum.

Which is better: CA or CFA?

When choosing between a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), it’s important to consider your career goals in India. CA aspirants are in high demand by business organizations in the country and are often offered competitive salaries. In contrast, while CFA has global recognition, its curriculum does not fully align with Indian business standards. As a result, most finance professionals in India prefer pursuing the CA designation. If you aspire to work in finance and choose to pursue the CA program, enrolling in a BCom with CA program is an excellent option.

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