CFA Vs MBA: Top 6 Differences You Must Know Sections Covered CFA CFA vs MBA Eligibility CFA Vs MBA Qualifying Examination CFA vs. MBA Exam Structure CFA Vs MBA Exam Dates CFA Vs MBA Job Opportunities CFA Vs MBA Employers and Salary Wrapping Up Schedule a call The higher education world for commerce students is evolving quickly. Today, it presents several options. However, the higher number of choices also leads to great confusion. Students usually find themselves stuck between two or more choices. One such case is CFA vs MBA. CFA and MBA will be two of the best courses for you when looking forward to advancing your career in the finance field. Both of these courses offer some great advantages for your career. Therefore, you might get confused about which one to choose. Stuck between two options while choosing a higher education course is nothing new. Every student faces this dilemma at a certain point in their life. So, do not worry. Getting out of this confusion cloud is easy. All you need is a thorough CFA vs MBA comparison. There are several differences between these two options. It is crucial for you to know about all of them. A thorough differentiation will assist you with making an informed choice. Although both offer a career in investment, finance, and business management fields, they highly differ based on numerous factors. This post will provide a detailed look into the CFA vs MBA comparison. It differentiates the two based on various factors. This thorough differentiation will significantly help you decide the right path for you. But, before starting with the differentiation, it will introduce you to each course in detail. CFA The CFA Institute offers the CFA certification that establishes you as a Chartered Financial Analyst. It is a professional certification program recognized globally. The CFA Institute designed it to help investment professionals and aspiring candidates advance their skills and knowledge. It primarily focuses on investment knowledge, advanced concepts, professional and ethical standards, and practical skills. The global investment industry highly values the CFA certification. Professionals with this qualification are in high demand because of their unparalleled expertise. Its course curriculum includes several advanced topics. Some of these topics are financial reporting, fixed income, alternative investments, equity investments, economics, derivatives, and portfolio management.MBAMBA is another contender in the CFA vs MBA comparison. An MBA is a postgraduate degree. It is for individuals aiming to get into the business management world. It covers various aspects like marketing, management, accounting, and finance. It offers the best knowledge and skills to get leading designations in various industries. The MBA program is for two years. It deals with coursework, real-world scenarios, and case studies. This program also trains students in work ethics. Do you want to gain practical knowledge and build connections with industry leaders? MBA courses can be the go-to answer!CFA vs. MBAChoosing between two courses makes all the difference for your future. There is no universal best among these two courses. Hence, you must evaluate them both and find the most suitable one for you. Below is a detailed comparison of CFA vs MBA to help you make an informed choice. CFA vs MBA Eligibility CFA Undergraduate degree, or in the final year4 years of relevant work experience or moreMBAAn undergraduate degree in any disciplineMinimum aggregate percentages differ from one institute to another. CFA Vs MBA Qualifying Examination CFA The CFA course includes a three-level examination. Below are the subjects included in this examination:Ethical and Professional StandardsQuantitative MethodsEconomicsFinancial Statement AnalysisCorporate IssuersEquity InvestmentsFixed IncomeDerivativesAlternative InvestmentsPortfolio Management and Wealth PlanningCFA Level 1 and 2 exams consist of all the above-listed 10 subjects. However, the Level 3 exam does not have quantitative methods, financial statement analysis, or corporate issuers. The weight of each subject at each level is different. MBAMBA has several entrance examinations for varying institutions. CAT, XAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, and NMAT are several of the countless MBA entrance examinations. In general, the exam curriculum for an MBA is often as follows:Reading Comprehension and Verbal AbilityQuantitative Ability Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation CFA vs. MBA Exam Structure CFA The exam structure for each CFA exam level is different. CFA Level 1CFA Level 1 gets divided into two sessions:First Session: 90 MCQs (2 hours and 15 minutes)Second Session: 90 MCQs (2 hours and 15 minutes)You get an optional break between these two sessions. CFA Level 2Level 2 of the CFA exam is also a two-session examination. First Session: 11 Vignettes supporting 44 MCQs (2 hours and 12 minutes)Second Session: 11 Vignettes supporting 44 MCQs (2 hours and 12 minutes)The break between the two sessions is optional. CFA Level 3The two sessions of Level 3 are as follows:First Session: 6 Vignette sets and 5 Essay sets, or 5 Vignette sets and 6 Essay setsSecond Session: 6 Vignette sets and 5 Essay sets, or 5 Vignette sets and 6 Essay sets Both sessions last for 2 hours and 12 minutes. The break between the two sessions is optional. MBACAT is regarded as the most esteemed among the different MBA entrance examinations. It's a 3-hour web-based assessment. Candidates should pass the sectional along with the general cut-off for this particular examination. CFA Vs MBA Exam Dates Following are the MBA and CFA exam dates for 2024: CFA CFA Level 115–21 May 202420–26 August 202413–19 November 2024 CFA Level 222-26 May 202427–31 August 202420–24 November 2024 CFA Level 316–19 August 2024 MBACAT is usually conducted between August and November every year. The dates of other MBA entrance exams vary. CFA Vs MBA Job Opportunities CFAEquity Research AnalystCredit AnalystFinancial AnalystEquity Research AssociateCorporate Financial AnalystAuditorConsultantPortfolio ManagerSenior Financial AnalystMBACash ManagerAccounts ManagerConsulting ManagerFinance Officers and TreasurersInvestment ManagerRisk ManagerBusiness Intelligence AnalystCorporate Controllers CFA Vs MBA Employers and Salary Top employers and salary are other crucial differences you must know between a CFA and an MBA. CFATop employers, including the Big 4, hire CFAs. This qualification empowers you to enter the global job market. Also, it offers you quick career advancement. On average, freshers with CFA certification earn around INR 6 LPA. The salary range goes much higher with increasing experience. MBAMBA graduates are also hired by reputable companies. But you receive preference only if you graduate from the best MBA colleges. The typical income for MBA graduates is INR 8 LPA in India. Wrapping Up CFA vs MBA is a long-running debate. However, your confusion is justified. Both courses offer the most lucrative career opportunities. But you will find a number of benefits to selecting a CFA over an MBA. The typical program duration for CFA is 1.5 to 2 years. Having said that, for an MBA, it's two years or even more. Also, CFA is your direct pass to entering the global investment job market. So, if the investment field is your dream working field, CFA is your path to success. But if you wish to gain general knowledge in the finance field, you can choose an MBA. The examination for CFA certification needs you to be thorough and well-prepared. So, choose NorthStar Academy’s expert-guided CFA course to achieve success. As a leading coaching institute for professional certification course preparation in the investment field, we offer the best study material. Also, our accredited teachers will stay by your side throughout the preparation and selection process. So, do not wait any longer, and start your CFA preparation today with NorthStar Academy. Contact us on WhatsApp to learn more about our CFA course. Frequently Asked Questions Is CFA Level 1 equivalent to an MBA? The CFA and MBA are both prestigious qualifications. Employers continuously look forward to adding professionals with these degrees to their teams. Is a CFA worth more than a Masters? The worth of both qualifications cannot be compared. If you wish to specialize in the investment domain, CFA will be a more worthy choice for you. On the other hand, choose a Masters degree if you wish to gain general knowledge of the finance field. What is the salary of a CFA or MBA? Both courses are great and offer high packages. However, several factors influence one’s salary. These factors include experience level, location, and company. On average, CFAs earn around INR 6 LPA at entry level in India. For MBA graduates, the average salary in India is around INR 8 LPA.
