Confused! Heard of a new dual qualification? Every commerce student, at some point in life, must have thought of earning a CA title to his or her name. However, as some of the CA aspirants did accomplish their dreams, further also think about What after CA? Exploring options like CFA can be an excellent choice, and understanding the eligibility for CFA is the first step toward making this decision.
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CFA After CA Overview
Charter holders in general think of making money rather than adding one credential to their name so after CA what next? Earning a CFA after CA offers significant benefits, as Chartered Accountants are experts in controlling finance, auditing, and taxation but if they also want to build expertise in financial analysis, valuation, and investments, then they must enroll themselves in CFA after CA. Before proceeding, it’s important to assess CFA eligibility to ensure you meet the requirements.
Without a doubt, both CA and CFA are highly valued and their combination creates a powerful synergy for the professionals seeking careers in the finance industry. This synergy helps professionals in understanding a target company’s financial health and potential risks.
How Does CFA Complement CA?
CFA after CA complements each other really well as it enhances skills in investment management, equity research, portfolio management, and financial analysis. This knowledge gained by CAs can be applied to various finance roles, such as wealth management, private equity, and corporate finance. A CFA qualification is so valuable that it allows a CA to analyze financial statements, evaluate investment opportunities, assess risk, and construct optimal portfolios.
Doing CFA expands the ability of professionals to provide comprehensive financial advice and make informed investment decisions. The CFA course also covers topics like derivatives, alternative investments, and fixed-income securities, enhancing the understanding of complex financial instruments and their impact on investment portfolios. This <knowledge is particularly valuable in roles involving managing investment funds or advising clients on sophisticated investment strategies.
Reason to Pursue CFA After Completing CA
Frankly, every candidate will have his own reasons for applying for CFA after CA, so it is better to assess your career goals and aspirations before proceeding any further. Also, consider if the program aligns with your long-term objectives and offers career advancement.
The reason behind doing CFA after CA is that the program is rigorous, demanding, and requires a significant investment of time, effort, and financial resources. So, balancing personal and professional obligations is the answer to what after CA? Despite the challenges, the rewards of earning the CFA designation after CA make the journey worthwhile, offering both professional and personal benefits.
Top 7 Benefits of CFA After CA
After going through slight details of the CFA program, and doing CFA after CA difficulties, let us focus on the advantages of doing CFA.
Better Career Opportunities
The biggest advantage of doing CFA after CA is that it opens doors to wide career opportunities worldwide. Having the two most prestigious credentials sets you apart from your peers and makes you an attractive candidate for prestigious job opportunities at MNCs.
Having CFA after CA final offers expertise in mergers and acquisitions, along with equity research, corporate finance, and wealth management. Professionals with dual qualifications are preferred by MNCs like JP Morgan, Crisil, HSBC, and Citibank in India possessing a wide range of financial and accounting skills.
Increased CFA after CA Salary
CFA after CA salary is comparatively higher in the finance industry. Professionals with a deep understanding of accounting and investment management are valued by employers. Owning both certifications doubles the income to around 12 Lacs per annum while entry-level CA salaries are half of this package. With experience, pay packages skyrocket, with over a decade-old earning over Rs 50 Lacs. Also, CFA after CA salary depends on the company and location, but the combination of both qualifications provides a lucrative earning potential.
Global Recognition and Mobility
The CFA designation is a worldwide recognized credential that offers global opportunities for success. While CA is only valid in India, the CFA charter is recognized in over 160 countries, including the USA, Australia, Canada, and Singapore. CFA after CA salary in these countries are high and receive additional perks. Their CA proficiency also gives them an edge when applying for investment management jobs abroad. A CFA-certified resume can make a candidate a shoo-in for positions like equity analyst or credit research associate.
Knowledge Enhancement
The prime advantage of the CFA program among others is the comprehensive education that it offers in finance, covering economics, ethics, investment analysis, and portfolio management. It enables students to gain a deep understanding of the financial world and make informed investment decisions.
Professional Growth
Doing CFA after CA signifies your commitment to continuous professional development through rigorous coursework and comprehensive exams. It demonstrates a lifelong learning commitment to excel in one’s career and stay ahead of industry trends.
Networking Opportunities
The CFA program offers access to a global network of finance professionals. Networking fosters professional growth and career advancement through networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing with like-minded individuals, mentors, and industry leaders.
Personal Achievement
Obtaining CFA after CA clearly shows how dedicated you are and your excellence in the profession. It validates financial expertise and reinforces professional reputation. CFA Level 1 is challenging but not for those who have already cleared their CA levels, because a significant portion of the CA syllabus overlaps with the CFA examination. While practice is necessary, there is no need for strenuous preparation.
Is CFA After CA Right for You?
After completing CA final what’s next? The answer to this is CFA, the most promising elite educational qualification. But, before commencing your CFA journey assess your career goals and aspirations, ensuring the program’s knowledge. Whether it aligns with your long-term objectives and provides the desired career advancement.
If you are inclined to make a career in accounting and taxation, then you must suffice with CA. Moreover, to build a finance-centric career CFA program enhances your knowledge base to an advanced level that enables a professional to analyze financial data, evaluate investments, and manage risks for the growth of the businesses.
Conclusion
Selecting CFA after CA is a strategic move taken by financial professionals to improve expertise, enhance professional prospects, and gain global recognition. After completing CA what’s next is CFA, this combination allows you to work overseas from investment banking to wealth management. Doing CFA after CA brings significant financial rewards with an additional knowledge base, professional growth, and a strong global network. This dual combination complements each other by enabling professionals to reach new heights in their careers. Therefore, it is >important to commit to advancing your finance career and be ready to invest in your future.
FAQs
What is the CFA course duration after CA?
To gain a CFA, you must pass all exams in each three levels taking 6 to 9 months of preparation and gaining 4,000 hours of work experience. So, overall the CFA course duration after CA takes approximately 3 to 5 years to attain CFA certification as you do not get any exemption in CFA after CA.
Is there any exemption in CFA after CA?
CFA does not allow any exemptions neither after CA nor any other qualification. To attain CFA certification, you must go through the same rigorous process of passing the exam in all three levels and required work experience.
Can a CA final student do CFA?
The CA final students undertake practical training known as articleship, which allows them to appear for the CFA Level 1 exam but you must complete your training before registering for the exam.
Can a CA do CFA without graduation?
A Chartered Accountant (CA) or CA student without a degree can pursue the CFA program only if they have 4,000 hours of work experience (with their own or family business), complete their articleship, have English proficiency, and meet professional conduct admission requirements.
How much does CFA cost in India?
The cost of appearing for CFA exams per level remains the same but it differs depending on the time you select to sit in the CFA Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 exams. According to the CFA Institute, the early registration fee for the CFA exam is USD 940, applicable from February 8, 2024, through April 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. The standard registration fee is USD 1,250, and this rate applies from April 17, 2024, through August 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
