Best Finance Certifications for Getting Hired: CFA, CPA, Series 7, and More
If you're trying to break into finance or level up your career on Wall Street, a credential on your resume can be the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over. But not all certifications are created equal — and the one you should pursue depends heavily on the type of role you're targeting.
This guide breaks down the most important finance certifications in the industry today: what they are, what they cost, who hires candidates who hold them, and what kind of salary you can realistically expect.
1. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
Best for: Investment management, portfolio management, equity research, risk
The CFA is widely considered the gold standard designation in investment management. Awarded by the CFA Institute, it's a globally recognized credential that signals mastery of portfolio analysis, asset valuation, ethics, and financial reporting.
What it takes
The CFA Program consists of three exam levels, each progressively more difficult. Beyond passing all three, candidates must also accumulate 4,000 hours of relevant work experience before receiving the charter. The full journey — from enrollment to charter — typically takes four to five years.
The exams cover a wide range of topics: ethics, quantitative methods, economics, financial statement analysis, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. Level III now includes specialized pathways in Private Wealth, Private Markets, and Portfolio Management.
Salary impact
According to the CFA Institute's career prospects page, the average total compensation across all charterholders globally is $267,000, and 90% of hiring managers report preferring CFA charterholders for executive-level positions. These figures come from the 2024 CFA Institute Compensation Study, which gathered data from more than 17,000 members across 132 global markets.
According to Kaplan Schweser's CFA salary analysis, the base salary range for a CFA is $128,000 to $196,000 — and when factoring in bonuses, profit sharing, and other incentives, total compensation ranges from $151,000 to $304,000.
Research published by 300hours.com's 2024 CFA salary study found that candidates who passed CFA Level I saw an average compensation increase of 32%, Level II saw 39%, and those who completed Level III and earned the charter saw a 57% increase over Level I candidates.
Who hires CFA charterholders?
Charterholders are found across buy-side and sell-side firms: asset managers, hedge funds, private equity shops, investment banks, insurance companies, and corporate treasury departments. Common job titles include portfolio manager, research analyst, risk manager, and chief investment officer. According to the CFA Institute, there are now 190,000+ charterholders worldwide. Almost half of all portfolio managers in the world hold the CFA charter.
Is it worth it?
For anyone pursuing investment-focused roles — buy-side analysis, portfolio management, or equity research — the CFA is essentially the price of admission at the senior level. If your goal is a CFO role or corporate finance rather than investment management, a CPA or MBA may serve you better.
2. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Best for: Accounting, audit, tax, corporate finance, CFO track
The CPA is the most recognized professional credential in accounting and is required — or strongly preferred — for anyone who wants to audit public companies, sign off on financial statements filed with the SEC, or represent clients before the IRS. It's less of a "Wall Street" credential than the CFA, but it's equally powerful — and in some career paths, more so.
What it takes
Becoming a CPA requires passing the Uniform CPA Examination, a four-part exam administered by the AICPA. Most states also require 150 credit hours of education plus one to two years of work experience under a licensed CPA. The four exam sections are: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). Candidates have 18 months to pass all four after passing the first section.
Salary impact
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for accountants and auditors at $81,680 as of May 2024 — but that figure covers the full spectrum of the profession, including non-CPAs in entry-level roles. Certified CPAs consistently earn significantly more.
According to 300hours.com citing AICPA compensation research, the average total pay for a CPA is $161,535, inclusive of bonuses, with 76% of CPAs receiving bonuses averaging around 12% of base salary. The AICPA's 2024 Salary Insights (via UWorld) puts the average CPA base at $122,000 per year, with the CPA license adding up to 15% annually over a graduate degree alone.
At the career ceiling — CFO, VP of Finance, or partner at a Big 4 firm — total compensation routinely exceeds $300,000. The AICPA's 2025 MAP Survey found that net remaining per partner climbed nearly 12% over two years to $252,663 in fiscal year 2024.
The CPA shortage is your opportunity
The CPA talent pipeline is shrinking. According to Talentfoot's 2025 hiring data, the number of people sitting for the CPA exam has declined by more than 30% since 2016, and finance roles requiring CPA credentials now take an average of 73 days to fill — 41% longer than comparable positions without the designation.
Fortune's 2025 reporting corroborates this: a survey of more than 250 finance and accounting leaders found that organizations had an average of five open finance or accounting positions — up from two the prior year — and that half of respondents said it takes 60 days or more to fill those roles.
The BLS projects approximately 124,200 accounting and auditing job openings per year from 2024 through 2034. For candidates who hold the CPA license, this supply-demand imbalance is a meaningful negotiating advantage.
Who hires CPAs?
CPAs are employed across virtually every sector: public accounting firms (Big 4 and regional), investment banks, private equity firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits. Common roles include staff accountant, tax manager, controller, internal auditor, and CFO. The credential is particularly powerful for those pursuing a CFO track at a public company, where CPA licensure is often a requirement to sign off on SEC filings.
3. Series 7 (General Securities Representative License)
Best for: Brokerage, wealth management, financial advising, trading support
The Series 7 is the gateway license for anyone who wants to buy and sell securities on behalf of clients. It's issued by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and legally required to work as a registered representative at a broker-dealer in the United States. Unlike the CFA or CPA, you must be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm to register — meaning you typically need a job offer first.
What it takes
The Series 7 exam consists of 135 questions — 125 of which count toward your score — covering equity securities, debt securities, options, investment companies, variable contracts, and regulatory requirements. The passing score is 72%. According to Career Employer's Series 7 guide, approximately 72% of candidates pass. Before sitting for the Series 7, candidates must also pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, which anyone can take without sponsorship.
Salary impact
According to StateRequirement's Series 7 salary data, entry-level registered representatives typically earn $50,000–$70,000 in base salary, with commissions stacking on top from day one. PayScale's survey data from 1,750 Series 7 holders shows the range spans $50,000 to $128,000, with top firms — Goldman Sachs ($95,532 average), Charles Schwab ($86,493), and Voya Financial ($86,358) — paying significantly above the midpoint.
According to BLS data cited by Coursera, personal financial advisors earn a median of $102,140 annually, with 10% job growth projected from 2024 to 2034 — roughly 24,100 new openings per year. Senior financial advisors and wealth managers with established client books often see total compensation of $125,000–$262,000, with a median of $163,000, according to FinancialPlannerWorld's compensation survey.
Career paths with a Series 7
The Series 7 unlocks roles including stockbroker and registered representative, financial advisor at wirehouses like Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley, wealth management associate at private banks or RIAs, compliance officer, and investment banking analyst at smaller firms. According to Achievable's finance career paths guide, the Series 7 is specifically required for roles executing transactions across corporate equity, government securities, mutual funds, and variable annuities.
Is it worth it?
If your goal is client-facing securities work, the Series 7 is non-negotiable and the fastest path to a licensed position. Many professionals add a Series 66, Series 24, or eventually pursue a CFP designation to expand their capabilities.
How Do They Stack Up? A Quick Comparison
Beyond the Big Three: Other Certifications Worth Knowing
CFP (Certified Financial Planner) — Often paired with the Series 7, the CFP is the leading credential for personal financial planning, covering retirement, taxes, estate planning, insurance, and investments. According to FinancialPlannerWorld's compensation data, roughly 60% of senior financial advisors hold the CFP, making it a standard credential at that career level.
FRM (Financial Risk Manager) — Administered by GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals), the FRM is the preferred credential for risk management roles at banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies. Often pursued by professionals focused specifically on market, credit, or operational risk.
CMA (Certified Management Accountant) — An excellent complement to the CPA for corporate finance professionals. The CMA signals expertise in financial planning, analysis, and decision support — particularly valuable for those targeting CFO, VP of Finance, or business controller roles.
Series 65 / Series 66 — Required for investment adviser representatives who provide fee-based financial advice. As Kaplan Financial notes, wealth managers providing investment advice need at minimum the Series 65 alongside the Series 7 to offer comprehensive services.
Which Certification Is Right for You?
Pursue the CFA if you want to work on the buy side — managing portfolios, conducting equity research, or running a hedge fund. The 57% salary premium documented by 300hours.com over Level I candidates makes the commitment worthwhile for the right career path.
Pursue the CPA if you want to build toward a CFO role, work in public accounting, or specialize in tax, audit, or financial reporting. With CPA-required roles taking 73 days to fill on average, now is an especially strong time to get licensed.
Pursue the Series 7 if you want to get into the securities industry quickly and are comfortable in a client-facing, commission-driven role. The BLS projects 10% growth in financial advisor roles through 2034.
Many professionals ultimately hold more than one of these credentials — a CFA charterholder at an asset manager may also be a registered representative, while a CFO who started in public accounting might hold both a CPA and an MBA.
Browse current openings at jobs.wallstreetcareers.com and filter by certification requirement to find roles where your CFA, CPA, or Series 7 gives you a competitive edge.