Career opportunities after acquiring CFA, CPA, CIMA qualifications

CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts) is a professional qualification offered by the CFA Institute to financial analysts. A CFA qualification validates your knowledge of security types and investment along with the knowledge of quantitative methodologies for analyzing securities that is assessing their value and identifying their underlying risks.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is the statutory title awarded to qualified accountants in the US who cleared the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. Candidates should meet additional state education and experience requirements to become a certified CPA. CPA programme deals with accounting and financial insights which are applicable in accounting and auditing services, taxation, consulting, research etc. In India, this is a relatively new qualification, however; ICFAI has established the CPA Council of India to develop and regulate the CPA profession on sound ethical lines.

CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is a leading institution that offers internationally recognized professional management accounting qualification. It is the largest professional body of management accountants offering relevant finance qualification.

Eligibility:

For CFA:

• One must have a bachelor's (or equivalent) degree or be in the final year of your bachelor's degree program at the time of registration.
• Or have four years of professional work experience (does not have to be investment related)
• Or have a combination of professional work and college experience that totals at least four years. Part-time positions do not qualify, and the four-year total must be accrued prior to enrollment.

For CPA: Any graduates with minimum 45% aggregate marks

For CIMA: Graduates with Degrees accredited by CIMA

Career Prospects:

Apart from Banking, Insurance, Corporate Sectors and Finance, Leasing Companies, CFA charter-holders have openings in sectors like Railways, Reserve Bank of India and Financial Institutions like ICICI, IDBI, IFCI and UTI, etc.

After completion of the CPA programme, you can find openings in Banking and Financial services sector and practice areas like finance, mergers & acquisitions, risk management and consulting.

A professional qualification from CIMA is one of the best options for a career in International business. Openings are available in sectors like Accounting, Banking, Education & Teaching, Finance. One can begin with a salary package ranging from Rs 5 to 10 lacs per annum.