Difference Between MBA and CFA

MBA vs CFA

MBA and CFA are two professional qualifications that offer wide scope in carrier. Professional courses prove to be an asset after graduation when a person is looking for career opportunities and chances of his absorption in the industry improve considerably. Two such professional courses are MBA and CFA. While MBA is masters in business administration degree, CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst which is a certification offered by CFA institute.

While both an MBA as well as CFA work in managerial positions in the industry, the difference between the two is quite clear and evident in the approach that is taken during study period.

While an MBA specializes in business administration which is a scientific process of tackling management, CFA is a financial analyst who is an expert with financial tools.

While finance is just a part of the curriculum during 2 year MBA program, finance is at the core of CFA certification.

While MBA is a degree course spanning two years, CFA is an international certification that a student gets after passing exams at regular intervals.

In an MBA course, students are taught various concepts relating to human resources, marketing, accounting and operational management. The course is designed to make a student industry ready in the sense that he becomes capable of handling all situations in a business. To be eligible to take CFA exams, a person must have at least four year work experience in a financial position in a company.

For regular students, MBA is a two year program divided into 4 semesters. CFA exams are held every year and take three years to complete (assuming a candidate passes all three in first attempts).

While there are many institutes offering MBA degree in all parts of the world, to become a CFA, a student has to pass an international exam after paying requisite fee.