CFP – Certified Financial Planner
CFP – Certified Financial Planner vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| CFP – Certified Financial Planner | CFA Level I – Investment Analysis | CISI – Wealth & Investment Management | ACIB – Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CFP Board | CFA Institute | CISI | LIBF |
| Level | Advanced | Beginner | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam fee | $825–$925 | $940–$1,250 | £190–£350 | £400–£900 |
| Duration | — | Two 135‑minute sessions | — | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $75K–$130K | $80K–$120K | £45K–£80K | £35K–£60K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take CFP – Certified Financial Planner or CFA Level I – Investment Analysis first?
CFA Level I – Investment Analysis is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CFP – Certified Financial Planner or CISI – Wealth & Investment Management first?
CISI – Wealth & Investment Management is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CFP – Certified Financial Planner or ACIB – Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers first?
ACIB – Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.