The Finance Credential ROI Map: Cost, Time, and Compensation Across Every Major Designation (2026)

This map covers 12 major US finance credentials, from the Enrolled Agent license, under $1,000 in exam fees for its three parts, to the CFP mark, the most expensive once you add its required education program. It shows what each one costs in exam fees and study materials, how long it takes and what holders (or people in the matching occupation) earn, using published sources and estimates identified below. The "ROI" in the title is a simple descriptive ratio, each credential's typical pay figure divided by exam fees plus study materials. It isn't a return on investment in the finance sense: it doesn't measure how much more a credential earns you, and it says nothing about payback time. If you cite a number, cite that source rather than this page.

The CFA charter has the highest median total compensation here at $300,000, on roughly $5,000 to $10,000 of total investment, and it also takes 4,000 hours of qualified investment work over at least 36 months, which can come before, during or after the exams. The Enrolled Agent license is the cheapest credential that comes with its own practice rights (unlimited IRS representation): under $1,000 in exam fees plus an IRS enrollment fee, no work experience requirement and usually a 6-to-12-month path. And if you already hold a CFA, CFP, ChFC, PFS, CIC or CIMA designation, the Series 65 costs you nothing, because the NASAA model rule waives the exam.

Each bubble is a credential. Left to right is total investment (exam fees plus the midpoint of paid study materials), bottom to top is typical pay, bubble size is total recommended study hours, and color is the credentialing family. The upper left is high pay for a low investment. The table below is sorted by that ratio: typical pay divided by exam fees plus the midpoint of paid study materials. The pay figures mix populations and pay bases (medians for holders, occupation-wide figures and average base salaries), so the ratios are rough. A higher ratio means the pay figure is large next to those costs. It doesn't mean the credential caused the pay or that it pays back faster.

If you know the role you want, the matrix lists the credentials that fit it. Role fit and recognition in the field set the order, and the pay-to-cost ratio only breaks ties. I don't call any credential the best one, since each leads to different jobs.

Cost, time, pay and pass rates

The heatmap scores each credential against the others in each column (z-scores). Green is better than its peers and red is worse. Where lower is better (cost, study hours, exam hours, months, work experience), the scale is flipped so green always favors you.

Total investment

The CFP mark is the most expensive because of its education program, and the CPA license and the CFA charter come next. CFA exam fees run from $1,140 (Level I, early registration) to $1,590 (Level III, standard registration) per level. The Series exams (under $500 each) and the Enrolled Agent license (under $1,000 in exam fees) are the cheapest. Exam fees are mostly fixed, so study materials are the big variable: the CPA exam has roughly $1,500 in exam fees, but candidates commonly spend $1,500 to $3,500 per section on review materials.

Time to completion

The actuarial fellowships (FSA and FCAS) take the longest, usually 5 to 8 years across 8 to 10 exams plus modules. The CFA charter takes roughly 24 to 36 months for the three levels. The shortest paths are the Series exams (3 to 6 months for the SIE plus Series 7) and the Enrolled Agent license (6 to 12 months for all three parts). None of these times include work experience, and the CFA charter, CFP mark, FRM charter, CMA, CAIA® charter and CPA license all require qualifying work experience before the credential is awarded.

Typical pay

FCAS (P&C actuarial) and FSA (life actuarial) come in at $225,000 and $220,000. The CFP figure, $195,000, is the 2025 median for all financial planners, with or without the mark, and the Enrolled Agent figure, $83,000, is PayScale's average base salary for EA holders, which leaves out bonuses. Because the figures measure different things, read the order of the bars as rough. These are US figures, and pay in other countries differs a lot.

Pass rate per attempt

A high pass rate doesn't make a credential easier. It mostly reflects how prepared the typical candidate is and which years the body published. EA Part 3 (Representation) has one of the highest rates because candidates usually take it last, and CFA Level I has the lowest at 41% because it's the entry point to a multi-year program. The cost figures here assume a first-time pass. To budget for retakes, choose a number of attempts per part and add the fee for each extra sitting, keeping one-time enrollment or application fees out of the repeat. As an illustration only: if every attempt were independent with a 50% chance of passing, you'd expect 2 attempts per part (1 divided by 0.5), which doubles the expected per-part exam fees. A published pass rate isn't your own chance of passing, though, and an expected count isn't a maximum.

Paid materials vs free

The gap between the bars is study materials. With FreeFellow's free materials, your total is the exam fees plus any required education program, which only the CFP has. With the paid providers (Kaplan Schweser, Becker, Bionic Turtle, AnalystPrep, Coaching Actuaries, Gleim, Hock), it adds the midpoint materials price for each credential. I run FreeFellow, so check the paid providers' prices on their own sites if you're budgeting from this. Neither bar counts your study time: a candidate earning $50 an hour who studies 350 hours for CFA Level II puts in $17,500 of time on top of fees and materials.

The degree next to the credential

The U.S. Department of Education publishes median earnings four years after completion and median federal debt for every degree program in the country. FreeFellow's program earnings lookup covers the 5,498 accounting, finance, economics and business programs in the 2026 federal file and puts each one next to the numbers on this page. Median debt for an accounting master's is about $21,800, so the CPA exam fees are a fraction of it, and most people need both anyway.

Each credential family

CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst)

The CFA charter is three exam levels at $1,490 to $1,590 each at standard registration, roughly 1,000 recommended study hours in total, and 4,000 hours of qualified investment work over at least 36 months, since passing the exams doesn't get you the charter on its own. Median total compensation is $300,000, the highest in this analysis, and the 90th percentile reaches $500,000 in Chief Investment Officer and senior portfolio management roles.

Pass rates over the last decade have averaged around 41% for Level I, 45% for Level II and 51% for Level III, so most of the filtering happens at Level I. The 2026 fee schedule dropped the $350 one-time enrollment fee, which makes Level I slightly cheaper than in 2024.

AICPA / NASBA (Certified Public Accountant)

The CPA license takes four exam sections, three Core plus one Discipline you choose from BAR, ISC or TCP. That format came in with the 2024 AICPA changes and replaced the old four fixed sections. You also need work experience administered by your state board, and the 150-credit-hour education requirement stops most candidates before the exam. NASBA's recommended fee is about $359 per section including the application fee, though each state sets its own, and most candidates spend $2,000 to $5,000 in total once materials, retakes and licensing fees are included.

Median total compensation is $161,535, and partner-track audit and tax roles or CFO-track industry roles pay around $280,000 (Robert Half).

CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner)

The CFP mark is to wealth management roughly what the CPA is to accounting. Its biggest hidden cost is the required education program, $4,000 to $15,000 at Boston University, Dalton, Bryant or another approved program. The exam is $825 to $1,025 (early to late registration), plus a $250 application fee and a $575 annual certification fee once you pass. Holders of a CFA, CPA, CIMA, ChFC, CLU, law license, DBA or qualifying PhD can take the Accelerated Path, which waives most of the education program (CIMA was added in April 2026) and brings the total down to roughly $2,500 to $5,000.

The CFP Board's 2026 Compensation Study puts 2025 median total compensation for all US financial planners, with or without the mark, at $195,000. That headline median isn't specific to CFP professionals, though the study found they earned 11% more than other planners after accounting for experience, company size and job role. It doesn't publish a 90th percentile either, so the upper marker, $452,135, is its 2025 median for planners who supervise five or more staff.

GARP (Financial Risk Manager)

The FRM is a two-part exam from the Global Association of Risk Professionals. The lowest total in exam fees is $1,600: a one-time $400 enrollment fee plus two parts at $600 each with early registration. Standard registration for both parts brings it to $2,000. Pass rates are about 47% for Part I and 55% for Part II, approximate long-run averages from GARP. The two years of work experience can come before or after the exams, and you submit them after passing Part II.

It's mainly a bank risk credential (market, credit and operational risk and regulatory capital), and it's used more and more in asset management risk and treasury. Median total compensation is $150,000. The upper marker in the table, $300,000, is an older estimate for senior bank risk roles that I haven't been able to check against a published survey. The FRM cost comparison breaks down costs by prep provider.

CAIA Association® (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst℠)

The CAIA charter covers hedge funds, private equity, real assets, commodities, structured products and other alternatives. Level I is $995 to $1,395 (early to standard) plus a one-time $400 enrollment fee, and Level II is $995 early or $1,395 standard. CFA charterholders skip Level I through the CAIA Stackable Credential Program and start at Level II, the biggest cross-credential waiver in this analysis. The credential stacking post covers the rest.

Median total compensation is $140,000, with the 90th percentile around $350,000 for top alternatives portfolio managers and fund-of-funds research leads. The charter concentrates at pension allocators, funds of funds and the alternatives research teams of larger asset managers.

FINRA / NASAA (Series exams)

The Series exams get bundled rather than stacked: Series 7 plus Series 63 for a full registered representative with state law, Series 7 plus Series 66 for dual registration with state and advisory law, or SIE plus Series 65 for a solo investment adviser representative without firm sponsorship. They're the cheapest credentials here, with the SIE at $100, Series 7 at $395, Series 63 at $147, Series 65 at $187 and Series 66 at $177, so the SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 together come to under $700.

The Series 7 needs a FINRA member broker-dealer to sponsor you, which builds in the work experience. The Series 65 needs no sponsor and is how solo Registered Investment Adviser practices get started. Pay varies widely with the firm and book size, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents puts the national median at $110,000.

Society of Actuaries (life, health, retirement)

This is the longest path in the analysis. The ASA usually takes 6 exams plus modules and VEE credits over 36 to 60 months, and the FSA adds the Fellowship-track exams for 60 to 96 months overall. The joint SOA and CAS Exams P and FM, at $275 each, are the entry exams. FAM, SRM, ALTAM and ASTAM run $357 to $500, and Exam PA (Predictive Analytics) is $1,234 because its registration includes the required e-Learning modules.

FSA median total compensation is $220,000, and Chief Actuary, Appointed Actuary and Chief Risk Officer roles at life insurers pay around $400,000. Most employers pay for study time and exam fees, give a raise for each exam passed and pay a bonus on completion, so candidates at large employers usually pay close to nothing out of pocket and the real cost is the years it takes.

Casualty Actuarial Society (property and casualty)

The CAS path has the same structure as the SOA's but focuses on property and casualty insurance: Exams P and FM shared with the SOA at $275 each, then MAS-I and MAS-II at $550 each, then Exams 5 through 9. It takes about as long as the FSA, 60 to 96 months, with the same employer support. FCAS median total compensation is $225,000, and P&C Chief Actuary and reinsurance pricing leadership roles pay around $425,000.

IMA (Certified Management Accountant)

The CMA is the industry-side counterpart to the CPA, focused on FP&A, costing, internal controls and strategic financial management. It's two parts at $545 each (professional rate), plus a $300 one-time entrance fee and a $295 annual IMA membership, for roughly $1,685 in the first year ($850 to $1,000 for active students). Pass rates run around 45% per part. The two years of supervised work experience come before certification but don't block the exam.

Median total compensation is $139,000, and senior VP Finance and CFO-track holders reach $225,000. It fits corporate finance and internal accounting better than public accounting.

IRS (Enrolled Agent)

The Enrolled Agent license gives you unlimited representation rights before the IRS, with no state-by-state registration. It's three exam parts at $317 each ($66 IRS user fee plus $251 PSI contractor fee), and there's no work experience requirement; the IRS relies on the exam plus a background check through PTIN registration. Testing moved from Prometric to PSI Services in March 2026, and the current window runs July 2026 to February 2027.

PayScale puts average base salary for EA holders at $83,000. The upper marker, $171,000, is Glassdoor's 75th-percentile total-pay estimate for people with the Enrolled Agent job title, a different population and pay basis. For a solo tax practice with IRS representation rights, the license is the cheapest route to those rights in this analysis.

Wealth designations

These usually go on top of a CFP, CFA or CPA to specialize in a niche rather than being earned on their own.

• ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), The American College: 8 courses, $5,000 to $6,500 in total tuition. It's broader than the CFP (8 courses versus 6) and counts toward the CFP Accelerated Path, but it doesn't replace the CFP exam.
• CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), The American College: life insurance, estate and business succession, often paired with the CFP. It waives the Series 65 in some states.
• PFS (Personal Financial Specialist), AICPA: a CPA-only credential for personal financial planning. It waives the Series 65.
• CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst), Investments and Wealth Institute: institutional and high-net-worth portfolio construction, with executive education at Wharton, Yale SOM or U Chicago for $6,000 to $12,000. It waives the Series 65.
• RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional), The American College: retirement income, often paired with the CFP for a retiree practice.
• AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary), Fi360 / Broadridge: fiduciary process for plan sponsors and 3(21) / 3(38) RIAs, common in retirement plan advisory.

Methodology and sources

Exam fees are each body's 2026 published rates. Where there are early and standard windows (CFA, CFP, CAIA, FRM), the pay-to-cost ratios use standard registration, and early-bird pricing would raise them, most for the CFA charter and the FRM, where the early discount is a bigger share of the total cost, and by less than 1% for the CFP, where the education program dwarfs the exam fee. Study materials use the midpoint price across the major prep providers, with the range running from basic packages to premium tiers with live classes, on-demand video and mock exam libraries.

Exam seat hours are the bodies' published durations, with multi-session formats added together. Recommended study hours come from the body or the biggest prep providers. A strong quant candidate might need 70% of the high estimate, and a career changer might need the high estimate plus 20%.

Time to completion leaves out the work experience each credential requires: 4,000 hours over at least 36 months for the CFA charter, 36 months or 6,000 hours for the CFP mark, 24 months for the FRM charter, 12 to 24 months for the CPA license, 24 months for the CMA and 12 months for the CAIA charter. Pass rates are each body's recent published pass rate per attempt, usually 2024 to 2025.

I use the bodies' own surveys for the CFA, CFP, CAIA and CMA, DW Simpson for actuaries, GARP and Kaplan Schweser for the FRM, PayScale and Glassdoor for the EA, Robert Half for the CPA, Indeed and Robert Half for the CIA and BLS data for the Series exams. A source's year isn't always the pay year. The CFP Board's 2026 study reports 2025 pay for all planners, CFP or not, and Robert Half's 2027 guide projects 2027 starting salaries. The EA and CIA figures are average base salaries, and the BLS figure covers everyone in the occupation and leaves out stock and year-end bonuses. The upper pay marker is a published 90th percentile for only some credentials, such as the CFA charter. Elsewhere it's a 75th percentile (EA), a top starting salary for internal audit managers (CIA), senior-role pay (Chief Actuary, partner-track CPA, VP Finance, planners supervising five or more staff for the CFP) or an older estimate I haven't verified (FRM). The sources don't all measure the same thing, so treat comparisons across credentials as rough.

The typical pay / prep cost ratio is each credential's typical pay figure divided by exam fees at standard registration plus the midpoint of study materials for every required part. It's descriptive. It compares a reported pay figure for holders, or for people in the matching job, with what the exams and materials cost, and it doesn't estimate how much more you'd earn with the credential than without it, over what period, or how long the costs take to pay back. It also leaves out your study time and the years of work experience. At $75 an hour, a 1,000-hour credential adds $75,000 in study time, several times what its fees and materials cost, so the ratios drop by far more than half. Run the math for your own situation.

If a source page below has moved, search the body's site for its title.

1. Achievable / Kaplan / STC Series 6 2026 (2026-05)
   https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-6
2. Achievable / Kaplan Series 63 2026 (2026-05)
   https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-63
3. Achievable / Kaplan Series 65 2026 (2026-05)
   https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-65
4. Achievable / Kaplan Series 66 2026 (2026-05)
   https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-66
5. Achievable / Kaplan SIE 2026 (2026-05)
   https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/sie
6. AICPA / Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide (CPA total pay incl bonus) (2025)
   https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting
7. AICPA candidate guidance (2026-05)
   https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources
8. AICPA candidate guidance / Becker recommendation (2026-05)
   https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources
9. AICPA candidate pipeline data (2026-05)
   https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources
10. AICPA PFS credential exam (2026-05)
    https://www.aicpa-cima.com/credentials/personal-financial-planning-pfs
11. AICPA PFS exam prep materials 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.aicpa-cima.com/credentials/personal-financial-planning-pfs
12. AICPA published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
    https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/cpa-exam-pass-rates
13. AICPA Uniform Accountancy Act / state board requirements (varies 1-2 years) (2026-05)
    https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/cpa-licensure
14. AnalystPrep CFA Premium / Kaplan Schweser Essential 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.schweser.com/cfa
15. Archived IIA pass rates (March 15, 2026 capture; results period unverified) (2025-Q4)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20260315105109/https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/new-to-certification/certification-program-pass-rates/
16. Becker Premium / UWorld Elite 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.becker.com/cpa-review
17. Becker Premium / Wiley CPAexcel / UWorld Elite 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.becker.com/cpa-review
18. Becker Premium 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.becker.com/cpa-review
19. Bionic Turtle / AnalystPrep / Kaplan Schweser FRM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.bionicturtle.com
20. BLS OEWS May 2024 - Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents (occ 41-3031, median + commissions) (2025)
    https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes413031.htm
21. BLS OEWS May 2024 + Robert Half 2026 (top decile retail brokers + institutional sales) (2025)
    https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes413031.htm
22. CAIA Association® 2026 fee schedule (2026-05)
    https://caia.org/registration-and-fees
23. CAIA Association® Compensation Survey / PayScale 2025 (alternatives industry) (2025)
    https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Chartered_Alternative_Investment_Analyst_(CAIA)/Salary
24. CAIA Association® guidance (2026-05)
    https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter
25. CAIA Association® industry data (top decile alternatives PMs / fund-of-funds analysts) (2025)
    https://caia.org/career-center
26. CAIA Association® membership requirements (2026-05)
    https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter
27. CAIA Association® published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
    https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter
28. CAS candidate completion data (2026-05)
    https://www.casact.org/credential-requirements
29. CAS exam fees (April 2025 administration) (2026-05)
    https://www.casact.org/exams-admissions/exams/exam-fees
30. CAS FCAS requirements (2026-05)
    https://www.casact.org/credential-requirements
31. CAS Summary of Examination Statistics (2011-Present, Summer 2026 edition), raw pass ratio over the six sittings S2025 through SU2026 (2026-Q3)
    https://www.casact.org/exams-admissions/exams-results-summary-exam-statistics
32. CFA Institute (10-year average 2016-2025, all tested candidates) (2025-Q4)
    https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/candidate-resources/exam-results
33. CFA Institute charter requirements (2026-05)
    https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/charter
34. CFA Institute charter requirements (min 18 mo across L1-L3 sittings, typical 24-36 mo) (2026-05)
    https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program
35. CFA Institute Compensation Study 2024 (top decile US charterholders) (2025)
    https://analystprep.com/blog/complete-cfa-salary-analysis/
36. CFA Institute Compensation Study 2024 / AnalystPrep 2025 summary (US charterholders, all roles, base + bonus + equity) (2025)
    https://analystprep.com/blog/complete-cfa-salary-analysis/
37. CFA Institute fee schedule (2026) (2026-05)
    https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/dates-fees
38. CFP Board 2026 Compensation Study (2025 median total compensation for US planners supervising five or more staff; role proxy, not a percentile) (2026)
    https://www.cfp.net/-/media/files/cfp-board/career-and-growth/2026-cfp-compensation-study-public.pdf
39. CFP Board 2026 Compensation Study (2025 US all-planner median total compensation; not a CFP-holder median) (2026)
    https://www.cfp.net/-/media/files/cfp-board/career-and-growth/2026-cfp-compensation-study-public.pdf
40. CFP Board annual certification fee (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/career-and-growth/continuing-education/renewal/renewal-policies
41. CFP Board approved education programs (Boston University, Dalton, Bryant, et al.) (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/education-requirement
42. CFP Board candidate guidance (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/certification-process
43. CFP Board exam registration (2026) (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/certification-process/exam-requirement/registration
44. CFP Board experience requirement (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/experience-requirement
45. CFP Board guidance (2026-05)
    https://www.cfp.net/certification-process
46. CFP Board July 2026 exam statistics, all candidates (2026-08)
    https://www.cfp.net/certification-process/exam-requirement/about-the-cfp-exam/scoring-and-results/exam-statistics
47. Coaching Actuaries / ACTEX Exam PA 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
48. Coaching Actuaries / ASM / TIA Exam FM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
49. Coaching Actuaries / ASM / TIA Exam P 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
50. Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam ALTAM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
51. Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam ASTAM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
52. Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam FAM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
53. Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam SRM 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
54. Coaching Actuaries / ASM MAS-I 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
55. Coaching Actuaries / ASM MAS-II 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
56. Coaching Actuaries study-hour estimates (2026-05)
    https://www.coachingactuaries.com
57. Dalton Review / Kaplan Live / Bryant Capstone 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/cfp
58. DW Simpson 2026 Actuarial Salary Survey (entry analyst, 1-2 exams) (2026-07)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/about/salary-survey/
59. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (Chief Actuary, reinsurance pricing leads) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
60. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (Chief Actuary, valuation leads, life insurance CFOs) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
61. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (senior ASA pricing/reserving leads) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
62. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (US FCAS mid-career, P&C) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
63. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (US FSA mid-career, all tracks) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
64. DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 / Salary.com (US ASA mid-career) (2025)
    https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary
65. Fi360 AIF program 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.fi360.com/aif-designation
66. Fi360 AIF training program (2026-05)
    https://www.fi360.com/aif-designation
67. FINRA 2019 ARM Educational Conference, slide 51 (2026-10)
    https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/2019-07/ARM_2019_Presentation.pdf
68. FINRA Qualification Exams fee table (2026) (2026-05)
    https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams
69. FINRA registration requirements (2026-05)
    https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce
70. FreeFellow estimate matched to Part 1 (Gleim suggests about 130 hours for Part 2) (2026-09)
    https://www.gleim.com/cma-review/blog/cma-suggested-study-schedule/
71. FreeFellow planning estimate (2026-05)
    https://freefellow.org/blog/finance-credential-roi-map/#methodology-and-sources
72. GARP 2026 Candidate Guide (pages 9-12) (2026-05)
    https://www.garp.org/frm
73. GARP candidate guidance (Part I + Part II sequentially) (2026-05)
    https://www.garp.org/frm
74. GARP FRM Exam FAQs (certification requirements) (2026-10)
    https://www.garp.org/frm/frequently-asked-questions
75. GARP global compensation data / Kaplan Schweser 2025 (mid-career risk managers) (2025)
    https://www.schweser.com/frm/blog/become-a-financial-risk-manager/frm-salary
76. GARP Risk Career Center (legacy senior-risk-role upper-pay estimate; amount and percentile unverified) (2025)
    https://www.garp.org/membership/risk-career-center
77. Glassdoor 2026 / NAEA (entry tax preparer, EA-track) (2026-07)
    https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/entry-level-tax-preparer-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm
78. Glassdoor, Enrolled Agent: Average Salary & Pay Trends 2026 (US 75th-percentile total-pay estimate; upper marker, not the 90th percentile) (2026)
    https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/enrolled-agent-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
79. Gleim / Hock / Surgent EA 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.gleim.com/ea-review
80. Gleim / Hock / Wiley CMA 2026 (2026-05)
    https://www.gleim.com/cma-review
81. Gleim / Hock EA exam guidance (2026-05)
    https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent
82. Gleim / UWorld CIA candidate guidance (2026-05)
    https://www.gleim.com/cia-review/
83. Gleim CIA Review 2026 (full 3-part sets; UWorld and Becker run higher) (2026-05)
    https://www.gleim.com/cia-review/
84. Gleim CIA Review 2026 (full 3-part sets) (2026-05)
    https://www.gleim.com/cia-review/
85. Gleim CMA suggested study schedule (about 170 hours for Part 1) (2026-09)
    https://www.gleim.com/cma-review/blog/cma-suggested-study-schedule/
86. Gleim, EA exam pass rates (provider-compiled 2024-2025; the IRS publishes none) (2026-09)
    https://www.gleim.com/enrolled-agent-review/enrolled-agent-exam-pass-rate/
87. Historical pass-rate estimate retained by FreeFellow (provenance unverified) (2025-Q4)
    https://freefellow.org/blog/finance-credential-roi-map/#methodology-and-sources
88. ICMA press release, May 21, 2020: January-February 2020 English-language exams worldwide (2026-10)
    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icma-releases-pass-rates-for-new-cma-exam-curriculum-offers-flexibility-in-2020-testing-schedule-301063008.html
89. IIA candidate guidance (3-year program window) (2026-05)
    https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/new-to-certification/eligibility-pricing/
90. IIA certification pricing (2026) (2026-05)
    https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/new-to-certification/pricing/
91. IIA CIA eligibility requirements (2026-05)
    https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/new-to-certification/eligibility-pricing/
92. IIA CIA exam syllabus (2026-05)
    https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/cia/exam-prep-resources/exam-syllabus/
93. IMA 2023 Global Salary Survey (US median total comp) (2025)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250912174334/https://www.imanet.org/career-resources/salary-information
94. IMA candidate guidance (2026-05)
    https://www.imaglobal.org/certifications/cma/how-to
95. IMA CMA program fees (2026; imanet.org page retired in the 2026-08 move to imaglobal.org, archived capture) (2026-05)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20260521150647/https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification/enroll-in-the-cma/
96. IMA CMA requirements (2026-09)
    https://www.imaglobal.org/certifications/cma/how-to
97. IMA Global Salary Survey (US CMA late-career VP Finance / CFO track) (2025)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250912174334/https://www.imanet.org/career-resources/salary-information
98. IMA Salary Survey / Robert Half 2026 (entry staff / cost accountant) (2026-07)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250912174334/https://www.imanet.org/career-resources/salary-information
99. Indeed internal auditor salaries (US average base salary from job postings, updated 2026-09; not a median, not total compensation, not CIA-specific) (2026-07)
    https://www.indeed.com/career/internal-auditor/salaries
100. Industry guidance (SIE + 7 + 66 typical 3-6 month sequence) (2026-05)
     https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams
101. Industry pass-rate estimate retained by FreeFellow (publisher unverified) (2025-Q4)
     https://freefellow.org/blog/finance-credential-roi-map/#methodology-and-sources
102. Investments & Wealth Institute CIMA exam (2026-05)
     https://investmentsandwealth.org/certifications/cima-certification
103. IRS / PSI Services fee (July 2026 - February 2027 window) (2026-05)
     https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agents-frequently-asked-questions
104. IRS Enrolled Agent program (2026-05)
     https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents
105. IWI registered education provider (Wharton, Yale SOM, U Chicago) tuition 2026 (2026-05)
     https://investmentsandwealth.org/certifications/cima-certification
106. Kaplan / Achievable Series 6 guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/series6
107. Kaplan / Achievable Series 63 guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-63-exam/
108. Kaplan / Achievable Series 65 guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-65-exam/
109. Kaplan / Achievable Series 66 guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-66-exam/
110. Kaplan / STC / Achievable Series 7 2026 (2026-05)
     https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-7
111. Kaplan / STC Series 7 guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/series7
112. Kaplan Schweser / Glassdoor 2026 (entry financial risk analyst, 0-2 yr) (2026-07)
     https://www.schweser.com/frm/blog/become-a-financial-risk-manager/frm-salary
113. Kaplan Securities / Achievable SIE guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/sie
114. NASAA Series 63/65/66 fee schedule (2026) (2026-05)
     https://www.nasaa.org/exams/exam-faqs/
115. NASBA 2026 recommended exam fees (varies by state) (2026-05)
     https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/examfaq/
116. PayScale 2026 (CAIA® / entry alternatives analyst) (2026-07)
     https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Chartered_Alternative_Investment_Analyst_(CAIA)/Salary
117. PayScale 2026 (early-career CFA-track analyst, under 2 yr) (2026-07)
     https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chartered_Financial_Analyst_(CFA)/Salary
118. PayScale 2026 (FINRA Series 7 registered rep, early career base) (2026-07)
     https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=General_Securities_Representative_-_(FINRA_Series_7)/Salary
119. PayScale 2026 (paraplanner / associate financial planner, entry) (2026-07)
     https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Paraplanner/Salary
120. PayScale, Salary for Certification: Enrolled Agent (EA) (US average base salary, updated July 10, 2026; not a median or total compensation) (2026)
     https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Enrolled_Agent_(EA)/Salary
121. Rising Fellow / Coaching Actuaries CAS guidance (2026-05)
     https://www.casact.org/exams-admissions
122. Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide (audit / tax partner-track + industry CFO-track) (2025)
     https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting
123. Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide / PayScale (entry staff accountant, CPA-track) (2026-07)
     https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting
124. Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide, Internal Audit Manager (US high starting base-salary benchmark; role proxy, not a percentile or CIA-specific) (2026)
     https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/internal-audit-manager
125. Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide, Internal Auditor (US low starting base-salary benchmark; limited experience, not CIA-specific) (2026)
     https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/internal-auditor
126. SOA candidate completion data (2026-05)
     https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-asa-req/
127. SOA candidate completion data (2026-05)
     https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-fsa-req/
128. SOA exam and module fees (as of December 2025) (2026-05)
     https://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/syllabus-study-materials/exam-and-module-fees/
129. Society of Actuaries ASA requirements (2026-05)
     https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-asa-req/
130. Society of Actuaries FSA requirements (2026-05)
     https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-fsa-req/
131. Society of Actuaries published percentage results by sitting, 2025-2026 (2026-08)
     https://www.soa.org/education/exam-results/
132. Society of Actuaries results; estimate with no verified sitting (2025-Q4)
     https://www.soa.org/education/exam-results/
133. Society of Actuaries, July 2026 Exam FAM percentage results, published September 11, 2026 (2026-10)
     https://www.soa.org/education/exam-results/
134. Society of Actuaries, July 2026 Exam P percentage results (2026-10)
     https://www.soa.org/education/exam-results/
135. The American College ChFC program (8 courses, all-in) (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/ChFC
136. The American College ChFC program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/ChFC
137. The American College CLU program (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU
138. The American College CLU program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU
139. The American College RICP program (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/RICP
140. The American College RICP program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
     https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/RICP
141. UpperMark / AnalystPrep CAIA® 2026 (2026-05)
     https://www.uppermark.com/caia

The last full verification was 2026-05-28. A quarterly URL check was scheduled for 2026-08-01, and the next full refresh is due in January 2027. Bodies change their fees every year, so check the source before you rely on a number.

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