Exam Atlas

Finance & Accounting

Finance & Accounting certifications

Finance, accounting and investment qualifications such as CFA, CPA, ACCA and CMA - high-value, multi-year study paths.

Finance and accounting qualifications are not interchangeable - they lead to distinct careers. The CFA is for investment analysis and portfolio management; the US CPA is the licence for US public accounting; ACCA is the globally portable accounting route; the CMA targets corporate finance and management accounting. Choosing by career and geography, not prestige, is what saves years of effort.

This hub brings these qualifications together with comparisons (CFA vs CPA, ACCA vs CPA) and a career path, so you can match the qualification to the work you actually want and the country you want to work in.

11 exams in this field

Where to start

  1. Decide the career first

    Investing → CFA. US public accounting → CPA. Global accounting → ACCA. Corporate finance / FP&A → CMA.

  2. Check entry requirements early

    The US CPA needs ~150 credit hours; ACCA has open routes without a degree; the CMA needs a degree and experience.

  3. Study while you work

    All of these expect or require qualifying experience, and the material lands better alongside a real role.

  4. Qualify and specialise

    Then specialise - equities or fixed income (CFA); audit, tax or reporting (CPA/ACCA); FP&A or controllership (CMA).

Certification pathway

Associate / core
EA
Advanced / expert
ACCACAIACFA Level ICFPCFA Level IIICFA Level IICIACMACPAFRM

A rough progression by level, not a strict order - start where your experience fits.

All Finance & Accounting exams

ACCA

ACCA Qualification

ACCA qualification: the three levels, up to 13 exams, cost, entry routes and an honest take on whether becoming ACCA-qualified is worth it in 2026.

advanced

CAIA Association

CAIA (CAIA Association)

CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst): the two levels, cost, difficulty and how it compares with the CFA and FRM in 2026. Source-checked.

advanced

CFA Institute

CFA Level I (CFA Institute)

CFA Program Level I: exam format, the ten topics, cost, pass rates and an honest take on whether starting the CFA is worth it in 2026.

advanced

CFP Board

CFP (CFP Board)

CFP certification explained: the computer-based exam format, eight knowledge areas, cost, the education, experience and ethics requirements, and is it worth it.

advanced

CFA Institute

CFA Level III (CFA Institute)

CFA Level III: the essay (constructed-response) format, the 2025 specialised pathways, pass rates, and how passing it plus experience earns the CFA charter.

advanced

CFA Institute

CFA Level II (CFA Institute)

CFA Level 2 (CFA II) explained: the item-set format, syllabus and topic weights, difficulty, pass rate, and how to plan your study. Source-checked.

advanced

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)

CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) from The IIA: the three exam parts, the 600 passing score, cost, eligibility and whether it is worth it in 2026.

advanced

IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)

CMA (IMA)

CMA (IMA): the two parts, cost, requirements, difficulty and how the management-accounting certification compares to CPA and CFA in 2026.

advanced

AICPA & CIMA (NASBA)

US CPA (AICPA)

US CPA exam (AICPA): the four sections, the 150-hour requirement, cost, pass rates and an honest take on whether the CPA is worth it in 2026.

advanced

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Enrolled Agent (EA)

Enrolled Agent (EA): the three-part SEE exam, fee, PTIN requirement, 72-hour CPE renewal and an honest take on whether the EA is worth it in 2026.

intermediate

GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals)

FRM (GARP)

FRM (GARP): the two parts, cost, difficulty, pass rate and how the Financial Risk Manager certification compares with the CFA in 2026. Source-checked.

advanced

Compare these certifications

Related career paths

Frequently asked questions

CFA or CPA - which should I choose?
Different careers. CFA for investment analysis and portfolio management; CPA for accounting, audit and tax (especially in the US). Choose by the work you want, not prestige.
Which qualification is most internationally portable?
ACCA is the most portable across the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia. The CFA is also globally recognised; the US CPA is most powerful inside the US system.
Can I qualify without a degree?
ACCA often allows it via open entry routes. The US CPA and the CMA generally require a degree (and the CPA typically 150 credit hours).
Which is best for corporate finance rather than audit?
The CMA targets management accounting and corporate finance (FP&A) more directly than the CFA or CPA.