Professional Designations
What is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed professional who has passed an examination administered by a state's Board of Accountancy.
State CPA exams are created under guidelines issued by The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The Uniform CPA Exam can only be taken by accountants who already have professional experience in the field and a bachelor's degree.
- The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation given to qualified accountants.
- To become a CPA, you must pass a rigorous exam, known as the Uniform CPA Exam.
- Certified Public Accountants must meet education, work, and examination requirements—including holding a bachelor’s degree typically, but not required to be, in business administration, finance, or accounting, and completing 150 hours of education.
What is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)?
Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) are trained professionals who possess a unique set of diverse skills in preventing, detecting and investigating fraud. Skills such as:
- Knowledge of complex financial transactions
- Understanding of investigative techniques and legal issues
- The ability to resolve allegations of fraud
- Designing effective anti-fraud programs
What is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)?
Certified management accountant (CMA) is an accounting designation that signifies expertise in financial accounting and strategic management. The professionals who obtain this designation are colloquially known as CMAs and are qualified for a variety of roles ranging from financial controller to chief financial officer (CFO).
- The certified management accountant (CMA) designation indicates expertise in financial accounting and decision-making.
- This certification prepares professionals for a wide variety of careers.
- CMAs are required to adhere to a strict set of professional standards, in addition to passing a rigorous two-part exam.
What is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder?
The chartered financial analyst (CFA) charter is a globally-recognized professional designation offered by the CFA Institute, an organization that measures and certifies the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Candidates are required to pass three levels of exams covering areas such as accounting, economics, ethics, money management, and security analysis.
- The CFA charter is one of the most respected designations in finance and is widely considered to be the gold standard in the field of investment analysis.
- To become a charter holder, candidates must pass three difficult exams, have a bachelors degree, and have at least 4,000 hours of relevant professional experience over a minimum of three years. Passing the CFA Program exams requires strong discipline and an extensive amount of studying.