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CFA vs CFP
Posted on 3/2/26 at 12:37 pm
Posted on 3/2/26 at 12:37 pm
Curious everyone's opinion on professional credentials. CFA is obviously known to be the "most prestigious", but does anyone really care these days?
4
Posted on 3/2/26 at 12:54 pm to TigahsOnTop
Not sure it matters.
The only reason I have a CFP is that he is also my CPA. That’s the winning combo in my opinion.
The only reason I have a CFP is that he is also my CPA. That’s the winning combo in my opinion.
Posted on 3/2/26 at 1:01 pm to masoncj
Generally speaking, your CFP is going to be better for comprehensive financial planning that encompasses more than just your investments, where your CFA is going to be much more norrowly focused on investments and geared to more complex investment portfolios.
Not to say either one can't be good at either side of things and there are some that have both designations, but if what I am needing is moreso retirement planning including Insurance needs, estate planning, taxes, etc I'd defer more with a CFP. If I am looking for much more technical and complex asset management, CFA.
Not to say either one can't be good at either side of things and there are some that have both designations, but if what I am needing is moreso retirement planning including Insurance needs, estate planning, taxes, etc I'd defer more with a CFP. If I am looking for much more technical and complex asset management, CFA.
This post was edited on 3/2/26 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 3/2/26 at 1:10 pm to TigahsOnTop
I never cared.
Posted on 3/2/26 at 1:17 pm to TigahsOnTop
CFA is harder to obtain but ultimately CFA’s end up working for CFP’s.. and an analyst position is much more vulnerable to AI
Posted on 3/2/26 at 1:27 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
CFA is harder to obtain but ultimately CFA’s end up working for CFP’s
Not sure that is true... I looked up average salaries for each (which imo usually indicates which is better), and CFA seems to completely clear CFP.
I could be wrong though
Posted on 3/2/26 at 2:09 pm to TigahsOnTop
Eh, that's probably not the best way to look at what is "better". The designations relate to different practices and it would depend on what you need. By the same logic, you'd be arguing that a CFA is "better" than a CPA, but at no point would anyone defer to a CFA over a CPA for their taxes.
CFA is certainly a harder designation to earn than CFP, but it is also just a much narrower focused one. They do certainly usually earn more as they will generally be managing much larger investment portfolios than your typical CFP would be. I agree though, I don't know how often I'd say the CFA is working for the CFP, I'm sure it happens, I just don't know if i'd say it was the norm or not.
CFA is certainly a harder designation to earn than CFP, but it is also just a much narrower focused one. They do certainly usually earn more as they will generally be managing much larger investment portfolios than your typical CFP would be. I agree though, I don't know how often I'd say the CFA is working for the CFP, I'm sure it happens, I just don't know if i'd say it was the norm or not.
This post was edited on 3/2/26 at 2:17 pm
Posted on 3/2/26 at 2:14 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
quote:
Eh, that's probably not the best way to look at what is "better". The designations relate to different practices and it would depend on what you need. By the same logic, you'd be arguing that a CFA is "better" than a CPA, but at no point would anyone defer to a CFA over a CPA for their taxes.
CFA is certainly a harder designation to earn than CFP, but it is also just a much narrower focused one. They do certainly usually earn more as they will generally be managing much larger investment portfolios than your typical CFP would be. I agree though, I don't know how often I'd say the CFA is working for the CFP, sure it definitely happens, I just don't know if i'd say it was the norm or not.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I was not trying to say CFA is "better" (poor word choice by me), was just refuting the point that they work for CFPs.
Thanks for the breakdown, I totally agree.
This post was edited on 3/2/26 at 2:16 pm
Posted on 3/2/26 at 2:16 pm to TigahsOnTop
Posted on 3/2/26 at 2:54 pm to TigahsOnTop
If they’re employed by a wirehouse then yes ultimately it is true. The CFA will earn a salary and bonuses based on their “picks” but the main revenue source of the firm is a CFP. So the CFP keeps the back office employed.
Posted on 3/2/26 at 3:45 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
If they’re employed by a wirehouse then yes ultimately it is true. The CFA will earn a salary and bonuses based on their “picks” but the main revenue source of the firm is a CFP. So the CFP keeps the back office employed.
Yeah, I guess if you cherry pick the shittiest job that a CFA can have. I tend to think of a CFA as typically working at a large asset manager (e.g., BlackRock) or at an independent RIA.
Posted on 3/2/26 at 4:43 pm to TigahsOnTop
The CFA is a very impressive designation. Rigorous coursework and overall low pass rate. You don’t see any ole Joe Shmoe getting their CFA.
Hot take, the CFP is just a marketing designation for financial advisors to lure clients.
They have also watered down the CFP designation so that it’s a 6 hour fully computerized exam instead of a 2 day 10 hour exam with a written portion. This happened around 2014, and not coincidentally how many CFPs have popped up over the past 10-12 years. CFP designation has been around for about 35 years now. It’s all about the money though, there’s now over 100k people paying an annual fee of $575 to keep their CFP designation. I’d be curious to know how many individuals had their CFP prior to the testing change in 2014, solid ROI for the CFP Board
Hot take, the CFP is just a marketing designation for financial advisors to lure clients.
They have also watered down the CFP designation so that it’s a 6 hour fully computerized exam instead of a 2 day 10 hour exam with a written portion. This happened around 2014, and not coincidentally how many CFPs have popped up over the past 10-12 years. CFP designation has been around for about 35 years now. It’s all about the money though, there’s now over 100k people paying an annual fee of $575 to keep their CFP designation. I’d be curious to know how many individuals had their CFP prior to the testing change in 2014, solid ROI for the CFP Board
Posted on 3/2/26 at 5:13 pm to TigahsOnTop
You think BlackRock is going to keep CFA’s around when Alladin & Gemini can do all of that work at a cheaper rate?
Posted on 3/2/26 at 5:36 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
You think BlackRock is going to keep CFA’s around when Alladin & Gemini can do all of that work at a cheaper rate?
You are speaking to a much broader issue. Investment banking analysts, accountants, etc. will all be getting cut down a bit.
And no, CFP’s won’t be exempt from that either, so I’m not sure what you are getting at.
The great accountants and I-bankers will actually become even more of a commodity, because to control the tech you must first understand the concepts you are making the tech do. I’m sure the same can be said for a CFA (once again, depends on the job).
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