CA vs CFA in 2025: Which is More Profitable Today?
CA vs CFA: Ever wondered which finance career pays more in 2025? With both professions holding prestige in the world of finance and accounting, choosing the right one can be a game-changer for your future.
When it comes to professional designation, Chartered Accountants (CA) and Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) stand out as two of the most respected and highly recommended titles in the industry. These are both fulfilling work modes, however they follow different routes and result in different types of work. If you’re trying to decide which route is more profitable in 2025, this blog breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.
🤔Who is a CA?
A Chartered Accountant (CA) is a professional who takes care of a company’s finances, audits, taxes, and the reporting of financial records. In India, the CA profession is managed by ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). They are employed in fields that include accounting, taxation, auditing, and finance.
Key responsibilities of a CA:
- Preparing financial statements
- Managing taxation and GST compliance
- Conducting audits
- Advising clients on financial matters
🤔Who is a CFA?
A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is an international certification offered by the CFA Institute (USA), signifying expertise in investment analysis and portfolio management. They are concentrated on investment management, portfolio analysis, equity analysis, asset management and financial analysis.
Key responsibilities of a CFA:
- Financial data analysis
- Management of investment portfolios
- Stocks, bonds and other securities research
- Counseling on investment strategy
CA vs CFA: Major Differences Explained
|
Factor
|
CA
|
CFA
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus Area
|
Accounting, Taxation, Auditing
|
Investment Management, Financial Analysis
|
|
Duration
|
3.5 - 4 years (including articleship)
|
2-4 years (optional internship)
|
|
Regulating Body
|
ICAI (India)
|
CFA Institute (USA)
|
|
Global Recognition
|
Mostly recognized in India
|
Globally recognized
|
💹 CFA vs CA Salary: Comparing Earning Potential in 2025
Let’s talk about the big question — money. Which career is more profitable in 2025?
CA Salary in 2025 💰
In India, a new pass out CA can earn between ₹8-15 LPA, mid level CAs (3-5 years experience) earning ₹15-25 LPA. After experience (6+ years), particularly in the large companies such as Deloitte, KPMG, or EY the pay could be 25-50 lakhs or above. One can earn even more ₹40 LPA to ₹1 Cr+, when working as a CA that begin his or her own practice or become a partner at firms.
CFA Salary in 2025 💰
In India, the starting salary as a CFA fresher earns between ₹ 10-15 LPA. But once they get into the best investment banks, mutual funds, or multinational companies, the potential reaches ₹12-25 LPA with 3-5 years of experience.
🌍Global Earning Potential
- CA: Highly rewarding in India, moderate opportunities abroad unless paired with CPA (USA) or ACCA (UK).
- CFA: Opportunities are great everywhere. Income in countries such as the US, Canada, and Singapore is way higher.
⏳ CA vs CFA: Which is Tougher in Terms of Course Duration & Exams?
CA Course Structure & Duration 🕒
The CA course is divided into three levels:
Foundation Course:
Paper 1: Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper 2: Business Laws (100 Marks)
Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude (100 Marks)
– Business Mathematics
– Logical Reasoning
– Statistics
Paper 4: Business Economics (100 Marks)
Intermediate Course:
Group I
Paper 1: Advanced Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper 2: Corporate and other Laws (100 Marks)
Paper 3: Taxation
Section A – Income-Tax Law (50 Marks)
Section B – Indirect Taxes (50 Marks)
Group II
Paper 4: Cost and Management Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper 5: Auditing and Ethics (100 Marks)
Paper 6A: Financial Management (50 Marks)
Paper 6B: Strategic Management (50 Marks)
Final Course:
Group I
Paper 1: Financial Reporting (100 Marks)
Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management (100 Marks)
Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics (100 Marks)
Group II
Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (100 Marks)
Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws (100 Marks)
Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions (100 Marks)
(MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CASE STUDY INVOLVING PAPERS 1 TO 5 AT THE FINAL LEVEL ALONG WITH SELF-PACED ONLINE MODULES SETS A AND B AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT)
The most important requirement of the CA course is 2 years of mandatory Articleship with a practicing CA. This makes the total duration of the CA course 3.5 – 4 years, depending on whether you pass all levels on the first attempt.
CFA Course Structure & Duration 🕒
The CFA course is also divided into three levels:
- CFA Level 1: Focuses on the basics of finance and investment.
- CFA Level 2: Deals with valuation and financial analysis.
- CFA Level 3: Focuses on portfolio management and wealth planning.
Syllabus Of CFA Level 1
|
Subject |
Weightage |
|
15-20% |
|
6-9% |
|
6-9% |
|
11-14% |
|
6-9% |
|
11-14% |
|
11-14% |
|
5–8% |
|
7-10% |
|
8-12% |
Syllabus Of CFA Level 2
|
Subject |
Weightage |
|
5–10% |
|
5–10% |
|
10–15% |
|
5–10% |
|
10–15% |
|
10–15% |
|
5–10% |
|
5–10% |
|
10–15% |
|
10–15% |
Syllabus Of CFA Level 3
|
Subject |
Weightage |
|---|---|
|
15–20% |
|
15–20% |
|
5–10% |
|
10–15% |
|
10–15% |
|
30–35% |
🔍 Which Career is in More Demand in 2025?
- CA: It is a high demand profession due to statutory requirements as every business needs a Chartered Accountant for audits, taxes, and compliance.
- CFA: High demand in finance sectors like investment banking, portfolio management, and equity research — especially with the growing fintech and investment scene.
If you’re aiming for corporate finance, taxation, or starting your own firm, CA is ideal for you. If you’re targeting investment banking, stock markets, or international finance, CFA is the better choice.
🤑 Which is More Profitable Today?
CA vs CFA: Prefer job security and Indian market respect? Pick CA. Want international finance exposure and market roles? Go with CFA
💪 CA vs CFA: Which is Tougher?
Both CA and CFA are difficult to crack. The syllabus, featuring taxation, audit, law and accounting, is wide-ranging. On top of it managing studies with articleship is tough.
The CFA program, on the other hand, is more investment and financial analysis based. But CFA aspirants are expected to be good in quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting, investment analysis, and portfolio management.
In a snap, CA is tough because of it’s time-length & academic centric approach whereas CFA is tough because of its depth and global competition. Your background and career aspirations should play a role in determining the correct course.
🤹 Can You Do Both?
Yes, a lot of guys are doing both CA and CFA. It’s a strong combination — You have the deep accounting understanding of a CA and the financial market knowledge of a CFA.
🔚 Final Hypothesis
CA and CFA are indeed great career choices in 2025. The CFA on the other hand may be more lucrative overseas; in India nothing beats a CA. The answer is individual and relies on your interest, career goals, and where you want to work.
Whether it’s CA vs CFA, don’t just choose what’s affordable — choose what you love, because passion leads to success.
How many years to complete CFA?
⏳ On average, it takes about 2 to 4 years to complete all three levels of the CFA program.
Here’s why:
✅ The CFA program consists of three levels (Level I, II, and III), each with its own exam.
✅ Most candidates take one exam per year, although it’s possible to go faster if you’re extremely committed and the exam dates align.
✅ Each level requires 300+ hours of study, so balancing study with work or other commitments usually means spacing it out.
📅 Fast-track scenario: Some super-dedicated candidates finish in 2 years, but that’s rare.
🧘♂️ More realistic: 3 to 4 years is typical for working professionals.
So, if you’re thinking long-term and want to earn one of the most respected designations in finance — plan for a 3 to 4-year journey.
Who is eligible for CFA?
You can pursue a CFA in the last year of your graduation, however, it is not possible to take the CFA course right after the 12th. The minimum eligibility for CFA is an undergraduate qualification or bachelor’s degree from a renowned university.