Comparison of the FRM® and CFA® Designations
When candidates are trying to decide which designation they want to pursue, the comparison of the FRM vs CFA often comes to mind. The FRM is an excellent way for candidates to improve their knowledge of:
- market risk
- operational risk
- credit risk
- integrated risk management
- valuation and risk models, and
- risk management in investment management, among other topics.
Candidates can choose to take the FRM exam whether they are currently a CFA charterholder or if they plan on becoming one in the future.
Since the skills sets for the CFA and FRM complement each other very well, many CFA holders are also FRMs. For many finance professionals, it is not a case of FRM vs CFA, but instead FRM and CFA!
Demonstrating your competencies in financial risk via the FRM designation is a win-win for CFA charterholders, especially given the prominent role that CROs and risk managers are now taking in financial institutions in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The Bionic Turtle forum is an excellent place to discuss the benefits of becoming a certified FRM, and to speak with others who have chosen to pursue one or both of these designations. Our FRM study packages cover everything that you need to pass the FRM exam.
FRM® vs CFA® Comparison Chart
CFA® Exam | FRM® Exam |
---|---|
General investment knowledge (broader than deep) | Focus on risk management (deeper than broad) |
Ten Topics: Standards, Quantitative Methods, Economics, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Corporate Finance, Equities, Fixed Income, Derivatives, Alternative, Portfolio Management |
Ten Topics: Foundations of Risk Mgmt, Quantitative Analysis, Financial Markets & Products, Valuation and Risk Models, Market Risk, Credit Risk, Operational Risk, Liquidity & Treasury Risk, Investment Risk, Current Issues |
Available Jobs: Portfolio Management, Investment (Equities, Bonds) Research, and Alternatives (Hedge Funds) |
Available Jobs: Risk and risk-related at Banks, Insurance Firms, Assets Managers, Hedge Funds and Professional Services |
Global recognition as gold standard: over 90,000 CFA charter holders and 160,000 candidates per year | Rapidly growing at 16% per year since 2010: over 50,000 Certified FRMs and just breached 80,000 registered candidates per year |
3 exams in sequence (quickest path is 18 months): |
2 exams (is possible to sit both at once): |
Cost: See CFA website https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/register |
Cost: See GARP® FRM website https://www.garp.org/frm/fees-payments |
4 years of relevant work experience required | 2 years of relevant work experience required |
38 to 43% pass rate | 42% to 60% pass rate |
Multiple Choice, Item Set and Essay Questions | Multiple Choice Only (4 choices) |
Exam by CFA Institute | Exam by Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) |
For more information about the FRM exam, including how to register for the exam and important deadlines, read through our other informational articles: