Are you a financial aspirant or a recent graduate in business? Are you trying to find the best professional courses in finance and accounting for a flying career? Well, your search ends here because we’ve put together a list of the top 6 finance certifications for professionals and students.
Any business, whether it is an established corporation or a startup, depends on finance. The financial health of a firm affects every aspect of corporate operations, from investing in assets and raw materials to funding projects. For any organization, controlling finances becomes essential. Finance professionals are hired by companies worldwide, and this demand is only rising.
However, how can you train for a lucrative profession in finance? If you know what to do, how to do it, and where to do it, you can start a career in finance at any age. This guide will take you step-by-step through all of the best certifications and courses in finance and accounting.
Professional Courses in Finance and Accounting
- ACCA Certification
ACCA is another one of the top professional courses in finance and accounting. It is offered by the UK body ACCA and offers you 360-degree knowledge of the accounting domain that includes business accounting, Corporate Accounting, Financial Accounting and Management, Business Law, Taxation, Performance Management and Analysis, auditing, and Financial Reporting.
The unique part about this ACCA course is that it has the lowest eligibility criteria compared to others, which lets you pursue ACCA even before your Graduation. The duration of this certification course is 2 years, and the passing rate is more than 50%.
- CFA Certification
When it comes to the top professional courses in Finance and Accounting, CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, is one of the most sought-after finance certifications. This certification is a preferred choice, especially for those candidates who have successfully qualified for the CFA exam through the CFA Institute. What makes it unique is that CFA certification is globally recognized and accepted by the major MNCs and global investment firms.
CFA allows you to become a financial analyst and also go for the option of becoming an independent financial advisor. There is an extended scope for CFA; it covers all the major sectors, including banking, financial markets, IT, and more. If you wish to flourish in business, here is the 10-step guide to starting a business.
- Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® Certification
Getting a financial modeling certification from a company like aCFI is a brand-new and quickly becoming more popular alternative for corporate finance professionals. Using real-world Excel applications, the course covers everything from how to create a financial model to sophisticated valuation methods and sensitivity analysis. Starting at $497, the entire Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst Program (FMVA)® at CFI offers more than 24 courses and more than 100 hours of video training. The FMVATM test has a pass rate of roughly 70%. When it comes to the best Professional Courses in Finance and Accounting, this certification is a must.
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
Designation Professionals working in the asset management and hedge fund sectors are the target audience for the CAIA certification, which focuses on alternative investments. Ethics, hedge funds, private equity, real assets, structured products, asset allocation, and risk management are the key subjects covered in the CAIA. One of the best certifications in finance is CAIA.
There are two levels in the CAIA financial certification program. About 70% of students pass the exam. For specialized areas of finance, such as managing alternative investments (such as private equity, real assets, and hedge funds), the CAIA curriculum is excellent. On average, it only requires 12–18 months to finish.
- Certified Management Accounting (CMA)
A prestigious professional certification course in finance, CMA, is another option that has gained global acceptance. This is an ideal course option for students who have a deep interest in planning, budgeting, and forecasting decisions for enterprises.
CIMA is conducted by the UK-based Chartered Institute, while CMA is offered in the US. The total duration of the course is 6–9 months. The eligibility criteria for this financial certification are a bachelor’s degree from a renowned college or an IMA-approved professional certification.
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- Financial Risk Manager Certification
The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) administers the Financial Risk Manager (FRM®) exam. FRM Part 1 and FRM Part 2 are the two components that make up the entire exam. In May and November of each year, exams are given. Let’s talk about FRM Parts 1 and 2 individually now.
FRM Part 1 Basic risk management subjects are c overed in FRM Part 1 including quantitative principles, derivatives, value at risk (Vary), fundamentals of risk management, etc.
FRM Part 2 Advanced risk management subjects like Credit Risk, Market Risk, Operational Risk, Portfolio and Integrated Risk Management, and Current Issues are covered in FRM Part 2.
Last Verdict on Professional Courses in Finance and Accounting
It’s not a piece of cake to land your desired job at your dream firm. But if you have the necessary skill sets and the appropriate degree, certification, or recognition, it’s not that difficult either. Choose the best finance course from the above list, and you are all set to fly. For professional support, consider enrollin the Mirchawala’s Hub of Accountancy.
That’s it for now. What do you think? What are the top courses in finance and accounting you are interested in obtaining? Do you have any questions about any of the accounting or finance courses we’ve added to the list? Let us know in the comment section below.