CPA – Certified Public Accountant
CPA – Certified Public Accountant vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| CPA – Certified Public Accountant | CFA Level I – Chartered Financial Analyst | CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst | CFA Level III – Chartered Financial Analyst | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | AICPA / NASBA | CFA Institute | CFA Institute | CFA Institute |
| Level | Advanced | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Exam fee | $1,000–$2,000 | USD 3,520 | $940–$1,250 | USD 3,520 |
| Duration | — | — | Two 132‑minute sessions | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $70K–$130K | $80K–$120K | $100K–$150K | $130K–$200K |
| Prerequisites | — | Pass all three CFA exams and document 4,000 hours of relevant work experience | — | Pass all three CFA exams, complete 4,000 hours of relevant work experience, and become a … |
Which should you choose?
Should I take CPA – Certified Public Accountant or CFA Level I – Chartered Financial Analyst first?
CFA Level I – Chartered Financial Analyst is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CPA – Certified Public Accountant or CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst first?
CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst is the lower-level certification (Intermediate vs Advanced), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take CPA – Certified Public Accountant or CFA Level III – Chartered Financial Analyst first?
Both are rated Advanced. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.