is a cfa better than a cfp 
if you re headed for a career in the financial services industry which is better depends on where you want to go a chartered financial analyst cfa is skilled in investment analysis and portfolio management they often work at big investment firms mutual funds or hedge funds as they are qualified to research potential investments recommend them buy and sell them and manage them cfa certification is awarded by the cfa institute to those who pass three six hour exams renowned for their difficulty a certified financial planner cfp has an in depth knowledge of personal and family financial matters such as budgeting investing retirement planning and insurance the cfp is most often found working with individuals helping them create a long term financial plan and manage their money cfp certification is awarded by the cfp board based on a test that is taken in two sessions lasting three hours each it has 170 questions on a wide range of personal financial planning topics the bottom linethe crpc program was initially designed with the needs of baby boomers in mind that is the college of financial planning recognized the need for this generation to prepare for an increasingly complex set of concerns about retirement savings estate planning and taxes now it s gen x s turn to worry about retirement or if they re wise the generations represented by letters at the end of the alphabet might be wise to look down the road americans of whatever age may need some sound advice about retirement planning a financial advisor with a crpc designation has the right skill set 