Why Do CFA After CA: Top 7 Benefits To Do CFA

The competition in the job market is ever increasing. While the demand for finance professionals has never seen a low, the best and the most well-paying jobs are always occupied by highly qualified graduates. That’s why several finance students today prefer going for dual certification in order to increase their value globally and gain cutting-edge professional skills. 

We know that having a Chartered Accountancy degree in itself is a huge achievement. But sometimes it’s not the end; you can pursue another prestigious qualification to advance your career. If the combination of Chartered Financial Analyst after CA is currently making rounds at the top of your mind, then you’re about to get equipped with some interesting information on this duo.

Pursuing CFA after CA enhances your global value, widens your career opportunities, and strengthens your understanding of finance and investment, making you a complete finance professional.

CFA After CA Overview

Becoming a Chartered Accountant is no small feat; it demands discipline, focus, and an in-depth understanding of accounting, audit, taxation, and financial management. However, many CAs today are realising the importance of broadening their skill sets beyond national boundaries. That’s where the CFA program steps in.

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is internationally recognised and focuses heavily on investment management, portfolio analysis, and equity research. This course not only builds on your existing financial knowledge from CA but also opens new doors in areas like asset management, hedge funds, and global investment banking. With CFA, you transition from being a financial expert within your country to a globally equipped finance professional.

How Does CFA Complement CA?

CA and CFA are often seen as complementary qualifications because they cater to different, yet interconnected, segments of the finance domain. While CA focuses on financial reporting, tax planning, audit procedures, and Indian accounting laws, CFA is centred on investment strategies, equity research, ethics in global finance, and portfolio management.

This combination offers a significant advantage in the modern finance world, where employers increasingly value professionals who can handle both back-end financial controls and front-end market strategies. For example, a CA with a CFA charter is equipped to not only prepare financial statements but also interpret them for investment decisions—a critical skill in consulting and corporate finance roles.

Furthermore, CFA’s emphasis on ethics and global standards perfectly complements CA’s strong compliance background. Together, these two qualifications build a robust, future-ready finance profile that’s sought after across sectors—especially banking, asset management, private equity, and multinational corporations.

Reasons to Pursue CFA After Completing CA

There are multiple reasons why Chartered Accountants are choosing to pursue CFA post-qualification:

• Seamless Academic Transition: Many concepts in CFA Level 1 and even Level 2 overlap with the CA syllabus, especially topics like financial reporting, corporate finance, and quantitative methods. This makes preparation relatively easier for CAs.
• Career Diversification: While CA opens up traditional finance roles in auditing and taxation, CFA expands your career into areas such as investment banking, research analysis, and portfolio management.
• Global Recognition: Unlike CA, which is mostly recognised in specific countries, CFA has global recognition. For CAs looking to work abroad or in global firms, the CFA charter adds immense credibility.
• Better Strategic Roles: The CFA program emphasises decision-making in real market scenarios. This helps CAs grow into strategic roles, be it in corporate treasury, investment strategy, or risk assessment.
• Higher Earning Potential: With dual certification, professionals often witness a jump in salary packages. Companies are willing to pay a premium for candidates who bring both technical depth (CA) and market acumen (CFA) to the table.

In essence, pursuing CFA after CA is like sharpening your sword after having forged it. It builds on your existing strengths and gives you the ability to navigate and lead in complex global financial landscapes.

Top 7 benefits of pursuing CFA after CA

1. Clearing the CFA level 1 exam is a cakewalk for CAs

CFA Level 1 is tough to crack, but not for those who have already cleared their CA levels. A major chunk of the CA syllabus overlaps with Level 1 of the CFA examination. While you will need some practice on the concepts before you appear for the examination, you won’t need strenuous preparation for it. Additionally, if you’ve had a strong score in SFM, you surely have nothing to worry about. Ease in obtaining certification for other accounting courses is one of the major benefits of CA.

2. You’ll gain a vast amount of industry knowledge 

Chartered Financial Analyst is a professional certified course offered directly by the CFA Institute. This globally recognised certification provides a strong footing in the field of investment and trains you to effectively analyse portfolios, manage wealth and the stock market. The CFA course is very practical in nature, covering everything you need to know about the finance industry from a very practical view. The CA course, on the other hand, helps you understand complex accounting, taxation, law, and audit concepts. When you master both these courses, you acquire a gamut of financial knowledge that opens up a plethora of opportunities.

3. Having two prestigious accounting degrees creates a global value

While the CA course prepares you for the accounting challenges in India, Australia, the Middle East, Ireland, and some parts of Europe, the US CFA course prepares you for finance analysis challenges throughout the globe. After completing both these courses, you will gain a unique skill set that gives you a competitive edge over the professionals with a single degree. CFA after CA not only increases your demand but also your global value. Instead of one prestigious title, you would be holding two!

4. You could get a chance to work at a treasury or a multinational bank

If you wish to work at a prestigious global bank, a CFA after CA degree can get you there. And with your CA degree, you’ll be adding more value to your job profile. CFA charterholders are in great demand in both private and commercial banks. Other sectors that demand CFAs include consulting, investment banking, asset management, and broking. 

5. A CA degree will open doors, CFA will enable you to climb the corporate ladder

Once you’ve completed your CA, you can be sure of several opportunities flowing towards you. From small organisations to large corporations, every company needs the skills you possess. Though, while you start off your career as CA, you’ll also encounter many challenges that require an in-depth knowledge of financial markets to make the best decision. That’s when the CFA degree will come to your rescue and guide you in a better way.

6. You get to be complete finance professional 

Understanding the field of accounting and finance is a big plus point for your career growth. This not only helps you gain more skills but also broadens your scope as a job seeker. CFA opens gateways to some of the most desired and glamorous career pathways – one of these being investment banking. You can also apply for various positions in companies and for government institutions anywhere in the world. 

7. Your earning potential will increase drastically

CFA and CA are some of the most sought-after professional certifications in the finance and accounting industry. Due to this fact, individuals having either one of them take home handsome salaries and have great exposure in their respective professional domains. The average salary that a CA earns in India is around INR 8.24 lpa, while after completing all 3 CFA levels, they can expect to earn up to INR 15 lpa.

Source – CFA Salary – Naukri

Source – CA Salary – Indeed

Also Read: 6 Facts You Didn’t Know About The CFA Qualification

Curious Pursuing CFA after CA?

Inquire more about CFA after CA!

The Difficulty Level of CA vs CFA

Most finance and accounting students often wonder, ‘which course is more difficult to pursue, CA or CFA?’ Well, the answer to this question is ‘both‘. The Chartered Accountancy course, as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst course, are both tough to crack. However, if you’ve already managed to clear the first level of any one of these competitive exams, chances are, you can ace both these courses and gain a dual certification. All you’re going to need is patience, hard work, practice and consistency.

Completing CFA involves a total of three levels, which takes about two to three years. The CA course involves CPT, IPC and Finals with articleship training. Completing the levels and completing the articleship engagement requires about 5 years. If you also pursue other accounting-type courses such as M.Com, BBA or CFA, you’ll be solidifying your base knowledge and maximising your time to learn.

Coming back to the difficulty level of these exams, the CFA Level 1 has an average pass rate in 44%, Level 2 – 45%, and Level 3 – 55% over the decade. It covers some advanced finance concepts that can be tough to decode. CA has a total pass rate of about 15% in its final examination. Luckily, you don’t have to prepare for these courses all by yourself. For CFA, you can get expert guidance and knowledge by coaching with Zell Education, as we offer an interactive Chartered Financial Analyst course. 

The benefits of holding a dual degree that makes you a master of both finance and accounting are unmatched. Be it in terms of career growth, responsibility, prestige or pay scale, you’ll be a step ahead of other finance professionals in every way. As you embark on your journey towards becoming a successful Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, make sure to choose a learning partner that makes you industry-ready in every way. Zell Education is a new-age learning platform that ensures that you gain cutting-edge professional skills.

The Chartered Financial Analyst is a globally recognised qualification in the field of finance and investment. If you have recently completed your graduation or are appearing for your final semester, you may be eligible to become a CFA. Interested? We highly recommend checking out our Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course.

Conclusion

CFA after CA is not just a smart career move—it’s a transformative one. It takes you from being a regional finance expert to a global finance strategist. Whether you want to transition into high-paying investment roles, work with multinational firms, or simply stand out in the job market, the CFA charter helps you unlock opportunities that CA alone might not.

In today’s competitive financial world, having both these qualifications gives you the edge professionally, globally, and financially. If you’re looking to future-proof your career, the CFA after CA path is a clear winner.

FAQs on Why Do CFA After CA

Is it truly beneficial to pursue the CFA designation after completing my CA?

Yes, it is highly beneficial! Combining CA’s strong accounting base with CFA’s investment expertise makes you a well-rounded finance professional.

What is the difference in earning potential between a CA and a professional with both a CA and a CFA?

Professionals with a dual CA and CFA qualification typically command a much higher salary, especially in the competitive fields of investment banking and research.

Are there any exemptions in the CFA program if I am already a CA?

No, there are no exam exemptions for the CFA program based on your CA qualification. You will need to take all three levels of the exam.

Who earns more, a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?

Salary depends on the role and industry. However, a CFA charterholder’s salary is often higher globally due to the program’s specialisation in investment management.

How long does it take to complete the CFA program after becoming a CA?

The time commitment for the CFA is typically one to three years, depending on how quickly you can pass each of the three levels of the exam.

How is a CFA different from a CA?

A CA is focused on auditing, taxation, and accounting, while a CFA is centred on financial analysis, investment management, and portfolio strategy.

Current Role

Co-Founder & CEO at Zell Education

Education

• ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Finance (2011 – 2014)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Financial Markets from H.R. College Of Commerce & Economics (2010 – 2013)

Location

Mumbai, India

Expertise

ACCA Certified