CMA vs CFA
- Thread starter Bilal
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #24
builders Wrote:
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> why even bother with an inferior credential. just
> focus on clearing level 2 and then level III of
> the CFAI.
>
> you’re really just wasting time
It’s not an inferior credential. It’s a total different topic and it focuses on budgeting/costing. It’s something to “do” if I fail .. It takes 2 months and it would keep me in the studying mood because im not planning to start studying for level 2 all over again starting august! .. so august would be for part 2 and then ill start in late october/ beg of november for level 2.
However I would not call it inferior, easier is the word to call it.
——————————————————-
> why even bother with an inferior credential. just
> focus on clearing level 2 and then level III of
> the CFAI.
>
> you’re really just wasting time
It’s not an inferior credential. It’s a total different topic and it focuses on budgeting/costing. It’s something to “do” if I fail .. It takes 2 months and it would keep me in the studying mood because im not planning to start studying for level 2 all over again starting august! .. so august would be for part 2 and then ill start in late october/ beg of november for level 2.
However I would not call it inferior, easier is the word to call it.
Guille_GE Wrote:
——————————————————-
> I myself am a Certified internal auditor and a
> certified financial services auditor,to have CFA
> charter and CMA will put the icing on the cake and
> i will never open a book with formulas ever again
> in my life
are you an internal auditor by trade? How would a CFA help you in this regard?
——————————————————-
> I myself am a Certified internal auditor and a
> certified financial services auditor,to have CFA
> charter and CMA will put the icing on the cake and
> i will never open a book with formulas ever again
> in my life
are you an internal auditor by trade? How would a CFA help you in this regard?
- Thread starter
- #29
Guille_GE Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Bilal Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > Guys how about CMA? lol ..
>
>
> Bilal whats your email
[email protected]
——————————————————-
> Bilal Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > Guys how about CMA? lol ..
>
>
> Bilal whats your email
[email protected]
shipley1001
New member
- Jun 18, 2026
- 0
- 0
I am a CPA, so I take offense to saying that CPA is a joke! I took the exam back when it was hand written exam - you had to take all 4 parts over a 2 day period and it was held only once a year. Even under the new format, it is not a joke. The CPA exam was extremely difficult but Level II was much more difficult for one main reason - I was less prepared for Level II than for the CPA exam. I got a masters in accounting and took accounting classes that dominated my schedule for the last 3 years of my 5 year program, so I was clearly better prepared for the CPA exam. If I studied as much for Level II, I bet I would have found it easier. The comparison between CPA and CFA exam should just end because it is truly like comparing apples to oranges. If you could sit for the CPA exam without having the prerequisite number of accounting and all-in hours, then it would be a better comparison.
Let me put it like this
CMA – Helpful for Accountants focus on Cost accounting managing a firm from the inside.
CPA – Audit related focus on tax Audit and Financial accounting plus general Business.
CFA – we all know by now
The CMA of today is a 2 part exam with a format closer to the CPA my days it was a 4 part multiple choice so guess it would be a little more challenging now.
All these qualifications have a great benefit depending on your carrier path. None is greater than the other per say. You should have the one that suits your Job the others as someone put it are icing on the cake.
The only reason the CFA is more challenging is due to the volume of material and the number of formulas required. Another added issue is that you have only one shot a year that builds up the pressure. I must say however the other 2 exams do not try to trick or curveball you. You know the matter or you do not.
Bilal 2 hours a day for two months may not be enough you might need a few more towards the last few weeks. I recollect having to solve lots of problems to get the neck of it. The Gleim questions were the most challenging.
CMA – Helpful for Accountants focus on Cost accounting managing a firm from the inside.
CPA – Audit related focus on tax Audit and Financial accounting plus general Business.
CFA – we all know by now
The CMA of today is a 2 part exam with a format closer to the CPA my days it was a 4 part multiple choice so guess it would be a little more challenging now.
All these qualifications have a great benefit depending on your carrier path. None is greater than the other per say. You should have the one that suits your Job the others as someone put it are icing on the cake.
The only reason the CFA is more challenging is due to the volume of material and the number of formulas required. Another added issue is that you have only one shot a year that builds up the pressure. I must say however the other 2 exams do not try to trick or curveball you. You know the matter or you do not.
Bilal 2 hours a day for two months may not be enough you might need a few more towards the last few weeks. I recollect having to solve lots of problems to get the neck of it. The Gleim questions were the most challenging.