FMVA® vs CFA® Designation Comparison
For a comparison of the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® certification and the CFA designation, you can read our guide to the top finance certifications where there is a detailed table that breaks down all of the top accreditations for financial analysts. Some of the biggest differences that stand out are that the FMVA® is 100% online, doesn’t have multiple levels, focuses heavily on applications of finance (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and covers financial modeling and valuation extensively.
| CFA | CPA | CAIA | CFP | FRM | FMVA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Levels | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Costs | $2,550 to $3,450 | $1,000 to $3,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,500 | $497 |
| Exam Pass Rate | 30-50% | 40-50% | 70% | 67% | 40-50% | 70% |
| Content Focus | Portfolio Management, Investments | Financial Reporting, Audit | Real Assets, Alternative Investments | Financial Planning | Financial Risk Management | Financial Modeling, Valuation |
| Career Application | All Encompassing | Accounting and Finance | Asset Management | Retail and Wealth Management | Risk Management | All Encompassing |
| Study Time (hrs) | 300-350 per exam | Varies | 200 per exam | Varies | 200-300 per exam | 120-200 total |
| Completion Time | 3-5 years | 2.5 - 5 years | 1-2 years | 4 years | <1 year | <1 year |
| Work Experience | 4 years | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | 2 years | None |
