00:00You know CA is very tough. The passing rate is only 10% and you have to study for over
00:0514 hours a day.
00:07And during R-ticket shape, they make you do a job worth 50,000 rupees for 5,000 rupees typing.
00:14And CFA is just MCQs anyway.
00:17MCQs? You think it's just MCQs? Try analysing a 50-page case study.
00:22Then make the $1 million investment decision. Then you will know that CFA is much harder.
00:26Guys, guys, I have done both CA and CH and trust me, your comparison isn't right.
00:32That guy who has done both, he is absolutely right.
00:36Asking which is tougher, CA or CFA, is like asking what's harder, being a surgeon or being a pilot.
00:44They're completely different skills, completely different paths and lives.
00:49But nobody tells you. There's one factor that determines whether CA or CFA will be torture for you
00:56or something you are interested in.
00:58I'm going to show you exactly what they both are and what they offer.
01:02This video could save you years of struggle and lakhs and lakhs of rupees.
01:07First, let's get this straight.
01:09The CA credential works only in India.
01:11It's all about the Indian tax system, Indian accounting standards and Indian company regulations
01:17where you become an expert in the Indian financial ecosystem.
01:20Perfect if you're building a career in India, but your expertise is limited.
01:26CFA, on the other hand, specializes in investment decisions and wealth growth.
01:31You're the strategist who makes money multiply.
01:34Equity analysis, portfolio management, valuation, deciding where to invest crores to maximize returns.
01:43You're analyzing which stocks to buy, building portfolios, and you're managing risk at the same time.
01:49CFA is a global certification with recognition in over 120 countries.
01:54You can work in India, Singapore, Dubai, London, New York, Hong Kong, any place where financial markets exist.
02:01The skills are universally applicable.
02:04One certification and worldwide opportunities.
02:07You see the difference?
02:08Both are crucial.
02:10Both are very respected.
02:12But they serve completely different purposes in finance.
02:15So, which is tougher is the wrong question.
02:19Now, everyone obsesses over passing rates.
02:23CA pass rate is 10-12%, whereas CFA passing rate is 40-45%.
02:29But here's what actually breaks people, and it is not the exams.
02:33When the CA articleship begins, you'll be working 10-12 hours a day in a CA firm for 3 long
02:40years.
02:40And your stipend will be mere 5,000-7,000 rupees.
02:44While your other friends might be earning 35,000-50,000 rupees in regular jobs, going on trips, buying gadgets,
02:52and living their lives in their 20s.
02:54One CA student told me personally, the toughest part isn't the syllabus.
02:58It's watching everyone else live their life while you're just surviving.
03:02On top of that, what if you fail an exam?
03:04You have to wait 6 more months to retake that exam.
03:07If that's not testing enough, hear this.
03:115 years is the bare minimum time needed to become a CA.
03:14CFA, on the other hand, is extremely different.
03:17Because it has 3 levels.
03:19And clearing every level unlocks different career opportunities, which CA doesn't.
03:23You start working after graduation.
03:25You get a normal job, bank, NBFC, or a financial firm.
03:29You start earning 40,000-80,000 rupees monthly from day 1.
03:33Your lifestyle is completely normal.
03:35You can have Friday plans and weekend trips.
03:38If you're doing a job and pursuing CFA while working, you can study after work as well.
03:43If you want to know more about the earning potential after each CFA level, we have made a dedicated video
03:49on that.
03:49You can watch that video by clicking on the i button above.
03:52In CFA, if you fail a level, you can attempt level 1 again in 2-3 months.
03:58The CFA level 1 exam is offered 4 times in a year.
04:01Level 2 is offered 3 times, so there is no 6-month punishment like CA.
04:07Most people complete CFA in 2-3 years while earning well and living normally throughout.
04:13One of our Amarticus alumni, who is a CFA charterholder, told me that he cleared CFA while traveling to 3
04:19countries, maintaining his relationships and hitting the gym.
04:23The exams were tough for him, but his life was balanced.
04:27Think about this.
04:28When you're financially stable and mentally at peace, studying becomes easier.
04:33Still, there are a lot of myths that revolve around CFA, which are not true at all.
04:37We have busted all those myths in a separate video.
04:40You can watch that video by clicking on the i button.
04:43In CA exams, you're writing for hours, long, detailed answers.
04:49You're memorizing text provisions word for word, accounting formats exactly, audit steps in sequence, company law sections and case laws.
04:59Intense memory work plus understanding plus writing stamina.
05:03In the CFA exam, on the other hand, levels 1 and 2 consist entirely of multiple choice questions.
05:10Level 3 is half MCQ and half SA.
05:13A level 2 candidate was sharing their experience with me in the exam and they said that they gave a
05:19case, XYZ Pharma launching new drug.
05:22Here's 5-year financials, competitors, market data, risks.
05:25What's the fair value?
05:27Buy, sell or hold?
05:28I have 3 minutes to analyze and answer.
05:30No memorizing sections, pure application.
05:34You're assessed on whether you can analyze data and make smart decisions fast enough or not.
05:40So after watching the video till here, here's a short essence of it.
05:44CA feels tougher if you're not strong at memorizing large amounts of information,
05:50if you can't work on low articleship stipend for 12 to 14 hours for 3 years straight,
05:55if you find taxation and compliance boring,
05:57if you value social life and financial independence during studies.
06:01CFA might feel tougher if
06:03math and statistics intimidate you,
06:06if you need external pressure to study independently because CFA needs self-discipline,
06:12if you're not interested in investments or markets,
06:14if you're someone who prefers memorization over application and understanding.
06:18Over the years, I personally have realized that the qualification you're not interested in
06:23will always feel tougher.
06:25I talked to our learners who enjoy CFA.
06:28One of them said that I'm learning how Warren Buffet values companies,
06:31how hedge funds work and portfolio construction.
06:34The math is complex but fascinating.
06:37When you're engaged, complexity becomes an exciting challenge.
06:41The real question isn't which is tougher.
06:44It's which matches my interest and gives me the life I want during the journey.
06:49So if you're drawn to investment analysis, equity research, portfolio management,
06:54if strategic decisions excite you, CFA is realistically your better path.
06:59If you love audit, taxation, compliance and want a traditional practice in India specifically,
07:05then CA is a better choice.
07:06Now that you've listened to all of this, if you're inclined to pursue the CFA certification,
07:11why not do it the best?
07:12Other prep providers might just teach you.
07:14But our Amarticus CFA certification preparation program in collaboration with KPMG in India
07:19gives you industry-aligned training through real-world scenarios,
07:23something which employees essentially require in today's employees.
07:27Don't wait.
07:28Click the form in the description, pick the CFA certification
07:31and connect with our expert counselors for further guidance.
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