I’m about to finish my CPA exams soon. I’m starting at a Big4 firm this fall in audit, but my long-term goal is to move into FP&A and maybe become a CFO someday. I’m not interested in working with financial services clients.
I’m trying to figure out which certification to pursue next. Should I:
Go for the CFA? Is it worth the effort for my career path?
Look into the FMVA? Does anyone know if it’s well-regarded in the industry?
Just stick with getting the CMA?
I’d really appreciate any advice or insights from those who’ve been down similar paths. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hey Luke87! Congrats on almost finishing your CPA exams - that’s a huge accomplishment!
I’m actually really curious about your long-term goals. What draws you to FP&A and the CFO path? Have you had any exposure to those roles that’s sparked your interest?
As for certifications, have you considered talking to some FP&A professionals or CFOs to get their take? They might have some great insights on what’s valued in the industry.
I’m wondering if there might be some other ways to boost your skillset too. Like, have you thought about taking any data analytics or leadership courses? Those could be super useful for FP&A and CFO roles.
What’s your timeline looking like for making the move from audit to FP&A? It might influence which cert makes the most sense right now.
Keep us posted on what you decide! It’s always interesting to hear about different career paths in finance.
congrats on ur CPA progress! for FP&A n CFO path, CMA seems like the smartest move. CFA’s overkill unless u wanna switch to investments. FMVA’s cool but not as recognized yet.
i’d say focus on nailing the CMA and maybe pickup some advanced Excel or SQL skills on the side. those r gold in FP&A. good luck with ur journey dude!
As someone who’s been in your shoes, I’d say the CMA is your best bet given your career aspirations. It’s highly relevant for FP&A roles and aligns well with the CFO path. The CFA, while prestigious, is more geared towards investment management and might not be as directly applicable to your goals.
The FMVA is a newer certification and, while it covers useful skills, it doesn’t carry the same weight as the CMA in many corporate environments. Plus, the CMA’s focus on management accounting and financial planning dovetails nicely with your Big4 audit experience.
One piece of advice: start networking with FP&A professionals now. Those connections can be invaluable when you’re ready to make the switch from audit. And don’t underestimate the importance of developing strong data analysis skills alongside your certifications. They’re increasingly crucial in FP&A roles.
