The Investment vs Outcome Map
There are roughly 16 major finance credentials that US candidates pursue in 2026, with total investment ranging from under $1,000 for the cheapest to over $15,000 for the most expensive education path. This post maps every one of them on a single graph, with sourced numbers for what each costs, how long it takes, what it pays, and how much compensation it returns per dollar invested.
Three findings before the charts:
- The CFA Charter has the highest median total compensation in this analysis at $300,000, on roughly $5,000 to $10,000 of total investment, but only after four years of qualified investment work experience.
- The Enrolled Agent license is the cheapest finance credential that unlocks a distinct practice scope (unlimited IRS representation), at under $1,000 total fees, with no work experience requirement and a typical 6-to-12-month path.
- The Series 65 is functionally free if you already hold a CFA, CFP, ChFC, PFS, CIC, or CIMA designation. The NASAA model rule waives the exam entirely.
This is a sourced reference. Every numeric value resolves to its primary source via the Methodology section. If you cite this analysis elsewhere, cite the underlying body source rather than this URL. We re-verify the full dataset annually each January and spot-check quarterly for URL drift.
Reading the headline chart. Bubble size encodes total recommended study hours. Color encodes the credentialing family. Vertical position is median total compensation in USD. Horizontal position is total investment (exam fees plus the midpoint of commercial study materials cost). The upper-left zone is where high compensation meets low investment.
The Master Reference Table
The full credential by dimension table. Sorted by ROI (median total compensation per dollar of total investment, descending). Every cell links to a primary source via the Methodology section at the bottom of this post.
| Credential | Total Cost | Study Hrs | Exam Hrs | Months | Work Exp | Pass Rate | Median Comp | 90th %ile | ROI (comp / $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCAS (Fellow, Casualty Actuarial Society) | $3,850 ($1,650 fees + materials) |
1,075 hr | 14.0 hr | 84 | none | 49% | $225,000 | $425,000 | 58.4x |
| Series Registered Representative | $2,186 ($986 fees + materials) |
325 hr | 12.3 hr | 4 | none | 72% | $110,000 | $275,000 | 50.3x |
| FSA (Fellow, Society of Actuaries) | $5,715 ($2,315 fees + materials) |
1,775 hr | 20.0 hr | 84 | none | 49% | $220,000 | $400,000 | 38.5x |
| FRM Charter | $4,100 ($2,000 fees + materials) |
525 hr | 8.0 hr | 15 | 24 mo | 51% | $150,000 | $300,000 | 36.6x |
| CFA Charter | $9,470 ($4,570 fees + materials) |
1,000 hr | 13.5 hr | 36 | 48 mo | 46% | $300,000 | $500,000 | 31.7x |
| CMA (Certified Management Accountant) | $4,390 ($1,390 fees + materials) |
340 hr | 8.0 hr | 15 | 24 mo | 45% | $139,000 | $225,000 | 31.7x |
| Enrolled Agent (IRS) | $2,451 ($951 fees + materials) |
230 hr | 10.5 hr | 9 | none | 72% | $72,000 | $174,000 | 29.4x |
| ASA (Associate, Society of Actuaries) | $4,515 ($1,815 fees + materials) |
1,375 hr | 16.5 hr | 48 | none | 50% | $125,000 | $180,000 | 27.7x |
| CAIA Charter | $5,590 ($3,190 fees + materials) |
500 hr | 8.0 hr | 12 | 12 mo | 57% | $140,000 | $350,000 | 25.0x |
| CFP Mark | $13,425 ($1,175 fees + materials) |
300 hr | 6.0 hr | 18 | 36 mo | 65% | $209,000 | $400,000 | 15.6x |
| CPA License | $11,435 ($1,435 fees + materials) |
520 hr | 16.0 hr | 18 | 12 mo | 52% | $161,535 | $280,000 | 14.1x |
The Heatmap View
Same data, normalized to z-scores within each column. Green means the credential outperforms its peers on that dimension. Red means it underperforms. Lower-is-better dimensions (cost, study hours, exam hours, months, work experience) are inverted so green always favors the candidate.
Per-Dimension Breakouts
Total Investment
The most expensive credentials are the CFP mark (because of the required education program) and the CFA Charter (three exam levels at $1,140 to $1,590 each). The least expensive are the Series exams (under $500 each) and the Enrolled Agent license (under $1,000 total).
The commercial materials line is the largest variable. The exam fees themselves are mostly fixed. The CPA exam has roughly $1,500 in exam fees but commonly $1,500 to $3,500 in commercial review materials per section.
Typical Time to Completion
Fellowship-level actuarial credentials (FSA and FCAS) take the longest, typically 5 to 8 years across 8 to 10 exams plus modules. The CFA Charter sits in the middle at roughly 24 to 36 months across the three levels. The shortest paths are the Series exams (3 to 6 months for SIE plus Series 7) and the Enrolled Agent license (6 to 12 months for all three parts).
Time to completion does not include the post-exam work experience requirement. The CFA Charter, CFP mark, FRM Charter, CMA, CAIA Charter, and CPA license all require additional supervised experience before final certification.
Median Total Compensation
The CFA Charter leads at $300,000 in US median total compensation, followed by FCAS in P&C actuarial at $225,000, FSA in life actuarial at $220,000, and CFP at $209,000. The Enrolled Agent license sits at the lower end at $72,000 because the addressable market for IRS-only practice is smaller.
These are US figures. International compensation differs materially.
Pass Rate per Attempt
Higher pass rates do not mean easier credentials. They reflect cohort self-selection (how prepared candidates typically are) and recent-window publication patterns. The Enrolled Agent Part 3 (Representation) has one of the highest pass rates because candidates take it last, after Parts 1 and 2. The CFA Level I has the lowest at 41% because it sits at the entrance of a multi-year program with strong filter effect.
For cost planning, pass rate per attempt translates directly into expected total cost. A 50% pass rate doubles the expected exam-fee outlay. The methodology numbers assume first-attempt pass for the cost baseline.
The Commercial Materials Question
The gap between the two bars is the commercial study materials line. With FreeFellow free materials, total cost equals exam fees alone. With commercial providers (Kaplan Schweser, Becker, Bionic Turtle, AnalystPrep, Coaching Actuaries, Gleim, Hock), total cost adds the materials midpoint per credential.
We are self-interested in the choice between the two bars. We are the post author and the platform alternative. The fee math is what it is. Verify the commercial provider prices on each provider site if you intend to budget against this analysis.
The bars do not reflect opportunity cost of study hours. A candidate earning $50 per hour who studies 350 hours for CFA Level II is investing $17,500 in opportunity cost on top of fees and materials. The Methodology section addresses this.
Per-Family Analysis
CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst)
The CFA Charter is the heaviest investment-grade credential in finance. Three exam levels at $1,490 to $1,590 each (standard registration), plus four years of qualified investment work experience. Recommended study hours total roughly 1,000 across the three levels.
The payoff is the highest median total compensation in this analysis at $300,000, with 90th-percentile total compensation reaching $500,000 in Chief Investment Officer and senior portfolio management roles. The work experience requirement gates access; the exams alone do not produce the credential.
Pass rates over the last decade have averaged around 41% (Level I), 45% (Level II), and 52% (Level III). The Level I pass rate produces strong cohort filtering early in the program.
The 2026 fee schedule eliminated the $350 one-time enrollment fee that historically anchored first-level cost. Net effect: Level I is now slightly cheaper than in 2024.
AICPA / NASBA (Certified Public Accountant)
The CPA license requires four exam sections (three Core plus one Discipline of the candidate's choice from BAR, ISC, or TCP) plus state-board-administered work experience. The 150-credit-hour education requirement gates most candidates before the exam starts.
NASBA recommends roughly $358 per section (section fee plus application fee), though each state sets its own schedule. Most candidates spend $2,000 to $5,000 total when materials, retakes, and licensing fees are included.
Median total compensation is $161,535, with 90th percentile near $280,000 in audit and tax partner-track or industry CFO-track roles. The 2024 AICPA evolution split the test into 3 Core plus 1 Discipline rather than the prior 4 fixed sections.
CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner)
The CFP mark is the wealth-side analog to the CPA's accounting weight. The required education program is the largest hidden cost: $4,000 to $15,000 for an accredited curriculum at Boston University, Dalton, Bryant, or another approved program. The exam itself is $825 to $1,025 (early to late) plus a $250 application fee and a $575 annual certification fee post-pass.
Holders of CFA, CPA, JD, ChFC, CLU, or PFS qualify for the Accelerated Path that waives the education program. For those candidates, total cost drops to roughly $2,500 to $5,000.
Median total compensation is $209,000. Late-career medians reach the 90th-percentile zone of $400,000. The CFP Board 2025 Compensation Study shows CFP holders earn approximately 13% more than non-CFP financial planners.
GARP (Financial Risk Manager)
The FRM is a two-part exam from the Global Association of Risk Professionals. Total exam-fee floor is $1,400 (a one-time $400 enrollment plus two parts at $600 each at early registration). Standard registration shifts the total to $1,600 to $2,000.
The credential concentrates in bank risk management (market, credit, operational, regulatory capital), with growing applicability in asset management risk and treasury. Median total compensation is $150,000. Top-decile bank Chief Risk Officers and stress-testing leads reach $300,000.
Pass rates: 47% Part I, 55% Part II based on the GARP 15-year window. The two-year work experience requirement is satisfied post-exam and does not block sitting.
For a deeper FRM cost comparison versus prep providers, see our FRM Cost Comparison post.
CAIA Association (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst)
The CAIA Charter covers hedge funds, private equity, real assets, commodities, structured products, and other alternatives. Two-level exam: Level I at $995 to $1,395 (early to standard) plus a one-time $400 enrollment, Level II at $1,395.
CFA Charterholders skip Level I entirely through the CAIA Stackable Credential Program, entering directly at Level II. This is the strongest cross-credential waiver in this analysis.
Median total compensation is $140,000, with 90th percentile around $350,000 for top alternatives portfolio managers and fund-of-funds research leads. The credential concentrates in pension allocators, fund-of-funds, and alternative asset class research at larger asset managers.
FINRA / NASAA (Series Examinations)
The Series exams are bundled rather than stacked. The most common pairings: Series 7 plus Series 63 (full registered representative with state law), Series 7 plus Series 66 (dual registration with state and advisory law), SIE plus Series 65 (solo investment adviser representative without firm sponsorship).
Cost is the lowest in this analysis. SIE at $80, Series 7 at $395, Series 63 at $147, Series 65 at $187, Series 66 at $177. A complete SIE plus Series 7 plus Series 66 registration totals under $700 in exam fees.
The work experience expectation is built into firm sponsorship for Series 7 (a FINRA member broker-dealer must sponsor). Series 65 has no sponsorship requirement and is the entry point for solo Registered Investment Adviser practices.
Median total compensation reflects the breadth of roles, ranging widely by firm and book size. The Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents puts the median at $110,000 nationally.
Society of Actuaries (Life, Health, Retirement)
The actuarial credential path is the longest in this analysis. ASA designation typically requires 5 exams plus modules and VEE credits, totaling 36 to 60 months. FSA (Fellow) requires Fellowship-track exams and typically takes 60 to 96 months total.
Joint SOA / CAS Exams P and FM at $275 each are the entry exams. FAM, SRM, ALTAM, and ASTAM ladder from $357 to $500.
FSA median total compensation is $220,000. 90th percentile reaches $400,000 in Chief Actuary, Appointed Actuary, and Chief Risk Officer roles in life insurance.
Most employers pay study time, exam fees, raises per exam passed, and bonus on completion. The out-of-pocket cost to candidates at large employers is typically near zero. The opportunity cost in years is the binding constraint.
Casualty Actuarial Society (Property and Casualty)
The CAS path mirrors the SOA in structure but tilts toward property-and-casualty insurance. Shared joint exams P and FM at $275 each, then MAS-I and MAS-II at $550 each, then four Fellowship-track exams.
FCAS median total compensation is $225,000. 90th percentile lands at $425,000 in P&C Chief Actuary and reinsurance pricing leadership.
The path is roughly the same duration as the FSA, 60 to 96 months. Same employer-sponsorship norms apply.
IMA (Certified Management Accountant)
The CMA is the industry-side counterpart to the CPA. Two parts at $545 each (professional rate) plus a $300 one-time entrance fee and a $295 annual IMA membership. Total cost: roughly $1,685 in the first year (or $850 to $1,000 for active students).
The credential focuses on management accounting: FP&A, costing, internal controls, strategic financial management. Pass rates run around 45% per part.
Median total compensation is $139,000, with senior VP Finance and CFO-track candidates reaching $225,000. The CMA leans toward corporate finance and internal accounting roles rather than public accounting.
The two-year supervised work experience is required before certification but does not block the exam.
IRS (Enrolled Agent)
The Enrolled Agent license is the cheapest finance credential in this analysis that unlocks a distinct practice scope: unlimited representation rights before the IRS, with no state-by-state registration. Three exam parts at $317 each ($66 IRS user fee plus $251 PSI contractor fee).
The 2026 administration moved from Prometric to PSI Services effective March 2026. The current testing window runs July 2026 to February 2027. No work experience requirement; the IRS uses the exam plus background check via PTIN registration as the gating mechanism.
Median total compensation is $72,000, with 90th percentile around $174,000 for sole practitioners and senior tax controversy specialists. The Enrolled Agent license is the most efficient credential in this analysis for candidates whose goal is a solo tax preparation practice with IRS representation rights.
Wealth Designations (Sidebar)
These designations are typically stacked on top of a primary credential (CFP, CFA, or CPA) rather than pursued standalone. They specialize the practitioner toward a specific niche.
- ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), The American College. 8-course program, $5,000 to $6,500 total tuition. Broader than CFP (8 courses versus 6). ChFC alone does not waive the CFP education program.
- CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), The American College. Insurance-focused (life, estate, business succession). Pairs with CFP for wealth specialization. Waives Series 65 in NASAA model rule states.
- PFS (Personal Financial Specialist), AICPA. CPA-only credential for personal financial planning. Waives Series 65.
- CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst), Investments and Wealth Institute. Institutional and HNW portfolio construction. Executive education at Wharton, Yale SOM, or U Chicago at $6,000 to $12,000. Waives Series 65.
- RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional), The American College. Retirement-income specialist. Pairs with CFP for retiree practice.
- AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary), Fi360 / Broadridge. Fiduciary-process specialist for plan sponsors and 3(21) / 3(38) RIAs. Common in retirement plan advisory.
The Decision Matrix
If your goal is the role on the left, these are the top credentials by comp-per-dollar-invested, with role fit and credential-body recognition as the dominant criteria. The ratio is the tiebreaker. We do not recommend any credential as "best" anywhere in this analysis. Different credentials open different roles. This framing is candidate-side optimization, not body endorsement.
| If your goal is... | Highest comp per dollar invested |
|---|---|
| Buy-Side Portfolio Manager Equity / fixed income / multi-asset portfolio management at asset managers. |
|
| Sell-Side Equity Research Bank or independent research covering public equities. |
|
| Wealth Management HNW / UHNW advisory, multi-family office, private banking. |
|
| Independent Financial Planning Solo RIA, fee-only planning, retirement income specialization. |
|
| Tax / IRS Representation Tax preparation, IRS controversy, tax resolution practice. |
|
| Audit & Attestation Big-4 audit, internal audit, SOX compliance. |
|
| Risk Management (Bank / Hedge Fund) Market risk, credit risk, operational risk, regulatory capital. |
|
| Life Insurance Actuarial Life pricing, valuation, retirement consulting. |
|
| Property & Casualty Actuarial P&C pricing, reserving, catastrophe modeling, reinsurance. |
|
| Corporate Finance / FP&A Industry FP&A, controllership, treasury, VP Finance / CFO track. |
|
Methodology
Every number in this analysis resolves to a primary source. The full sources list follows; citations on individual values appear inline via the [unknown ref: ...] tokens in the master table.
Exam fees reflect 2026 published rates from each credentialing body. Where early-bird and standard registration windows exist (CFA, CFP, CAIA, FRM), the headline ROI ratios use standard registration. Early-bird discounts shift the ratios by 5% to 15% for those credentials.
Commercial study materials use midpoint pricing across the major prep providers for each credential. The low and high bands span basic packages versus premium tiers (live classes, on-demand video, mock-exam libraries).
Exam seat hours are official exam durations from each body's exam structure documentation. Multi-session formats sum per-session minutes.
Recommended study hours are body-published or top-provider-published recommendations. Ranges reflect candidate background variance (a quantitatively-strong candidate may need 70% of the high estimate; a career-changer may need the high estimate plus a 20% buffer).
Time to completion does not include post-exam work experience requirements. The CFA Charter (48 months), CFP mark (36 months / 6,000 hours), FRM Charter (24 months), CPA license (12 to 24 months), CMA (24 months), and CAIA Charter (12 months) all require additional supervised experience.
Pass rates are the published recent-window (typically 2024 to 2025) pass-per-attempt from each body. A 50% pass rate translates to roughly 1.5 expected attempts per part in cost planning.
Median compensation comes from each body's own compensation survey where available (CFA Institute Compensation Study, CFP Board Compensation Study, CAIA Compensation Survey, IMA Global Salary Survey), supplemented by DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey for SOA / CAS designations and PayScale / Robert Half for EA and CPA. All figures are US median total compensation (base plus bonus plus equity) at mid-career.
90th percentile compensation uses the same surveys' top-decile breakouts. These reflect realistic ceilings at senior levels (Portfolio Manager, Chief Actuary, CIO, CRO, Tax Partner).
ROI ratio is median total compensation divided by total investment. Total investment equals total exam fees (standard registration) plus the midpoint of commercial materials cost across all required exam parts. The ratio does not include opportunity cost of study hours or post-exam work-experience years.
For candidates with high hourly opportunity cost (existing analyst billing rates above $75 per hour), the opportunity-cost-inclusive ratio is materially different. A 1,000-study-hour credential at $75 per hour adds $75,000 to total investment, halving most of the ratios above. Run the math against your specific situation.
This page is not a ranking of credentials. Different credentials open different roles. The comp-per-dollar-invested ratio is one input among role fit, geography, employer expectations, and personal interest. Use the ratio as a sanity check on the investment side, not as a recommendation of one credential over another.
Sources
Every numeric value above resolves to one of these primary sources. URLs verified as of the post's modification date. If a body has moved a URL since verification, the canonical reference is the body's name (search for the page title).
- Achievable / Kaplan Series 63 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-63 - Achievable / Kaplan Series 65 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-65 - Achievable / Kaplan Series 66 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-66 - Achievable / Kaplan SIE 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/sie - AICPA / Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide (CPA total pay incl bonus) (2025)
https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting - AICPA candidate guidance (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources - AICPA candidate guidance / Becker recommendation (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources - AICPA candidate pipeline data (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/cpa-exam-resources - AICPA PFS credential exam (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/credentials/personal-financial-planning-pfs - AICPA PFS exam prep materials 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/credentials/personal-financial-planning-pfs - AICPA published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/cpa-exam-pass-rates - AICPA Uniform Accountancy Act / state board requirements (varies 1-2 years) (2026-05)
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/cpa-licensure - AnalystPrep CFA Premium / Kaplan Schweser Essential 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.schweser.com/cfa - Becker Premium / UWorld Elite 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.becker.com/cpa-review - Becker Premium / Wiley CPAexcel / UWorld Elite 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.becker.com/cpa-review - Becker Premium 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.becker.com/cpa-review - Bionic Turtle / AnalystPrep / Kaplan Schweser FRM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.bionicturtle.com - 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 - BLS OEWS May 2024 + Robert Half 2026 (top decile retail brokers + institutional sales) (2025)
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes413031.htm - CAIA Association 2026 fee schedule (2026-05)
https://caia.org/registration-and-fees - CAIA Association candidate guidance (2026-05)
https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter - CAIA Association Compensation Survey / PayScale 2025 (alternatives industry) (2025)
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Chartered_Alternative_Investment_Analyst_(CAIA)/Salary - CAIA Association guidance (2026-05)
https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter - CAIA Association industry data (top decile alternatives PMs / fund-of-funds analysts) (2025)
https://caia.org/career-center - CAIA Association membership requirements (2026-05)
https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter - CAIA Association published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
https://caia.org/programs/the-caia-charter - CAS candidate completion data (2026-05)
https://www.casact.org/credential-requirements - CAS exam fees (April 2025 administration) (2026-05)
https://www.casact.org/exams-admissions/exams/exam-fees - CAS FCAS requirements (2026-05)
https://www.casact.org/credential-requirements - CAS published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
https://www.casact.org/exam/exam-results - CFA Institute (10-year average 2016-2025) (2025-Q4)
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/candidate-resources/exam-results - CFA Institute charter requirements (2026-05)
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/charter - CFA Institute charter requirements (min 18 mo across L1-L3 sittings, typical 24-36 mo) (2026-05)
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program - CFA Institute Compensation Study 2024 (top decile US charterholders) (2025)
https://analystprep.com/blog/complete-cfa-salary-analysis/ - CFA Institute Compensation Study 2024 / AnalystPrep 2025 summary (US charterholders, all roles, base + bonus + equity) (2025)
https://analystprep.com/blog/complete-cfa-salary-analysis/ - CFA Institute fee schedule (2026) (2026-05)
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/dates-fees - CFP Board 2024-2025 published pass rates (2025-Q4)
https://www.cfp.net/certification-process/exam-requirement/exam-results - CFP Board 2025 Compensation Study (CFP professionals: $185k overall median + 13% CFP premium) (2025)
https://www.cfp.net/why-get-certified/financial-planner-salary-and-stats - CFP Board 2025 Compensation Study (late-career median $359k; top decile $400k+) (2025)
https://www.cfp.net/news/2025/09/certified-financial-planner-professionals-earn-higher-pay-and-enjoy-their-jobs - CFP Board annual certification fee (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/career-and-growth/continuing-education/renewal/renewal-policies - CFP Board approved education programs (Boston University, Dalton, Bryant, et al.) (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/education-requirement - CFP Board candidate guidance (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/certification-process - CFP Board exam registration (2026) (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/certification-process/exam-requirement/registration - CFP Board experience requirement (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/experience-requirement - CFP Board guidance (2026-05)
https://www.cfp.net/certification-process - Coaching Actuaries / ASM / TIA Exam FM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM / TIA Exam P 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam ALTAM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam ASTAM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam FAM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM Exam SRM 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM MAS-I 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries / ASM MAS-II 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Coaching Actuaries study-hour estimates (2026-05)
https://www.coachingactuaries.com - Dalton Review / Kaplan Live / Bryant Capstone 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/cfp - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (Chief Actuary, reinsurance pricing leads) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (Chief Actuary, valuation leads, life insurance CFOs) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (senior ASA pricing/reserving leads) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (US FCAS mid-career, P&C) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 (US FSA mid-career, all tracks) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - DW Simpson Actuarial Salary Survey 2025 / Salary.com (US ASA mid-career) (2025)
https://www.dwsimpson.com/salary - Fi360 AIF program 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.fi360.com/aif-designation - Fi360 AIF training program (2026-05)
https://www.fi360.com/aif-designation - FINRA / industry-published pass rates (recent) (2025-Q4)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams - FINRA registration requirements (2026-05)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce - FINRA Schedule of Registration and Exam Fees (2026) (2026-05)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/classic-crd/fee-schedule - GARP / industry data (top decile bank Chief Risk Officers, market-risk leads) (2025)
https://www.garp.org/career-center - GARP 15-year average pass rates (2024-2025 confirmed) (2025-Q4)
https://www.garp.org/frm/exam - GARP 2026 Candidate Guide (pages 9-12) (2026-05)
https://www.garp.org/frm - GARP candidate guidance (Part I + Part II sequentially) (2026-05)
https://www.garp.org/frm - GARP candidate survey / Bionic Turtle guidance (2026-05)
https://www.garp.org/frm - GARP FRM certification requirements (2026-05)
https://www.garp.org/frm/program-benefits - 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 - Gleim / Hock / Surgent EA 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.gleim.com/ea-review - Gleim / Hock / Wiley CMA 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.gleim.com/cma-review - Gleim / Hock EA candidate guidance (2026-05)
https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent - Gleim / Hock EA exam guidance (2026-05)
https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent - IMA 2023 Global Salary Survey (US median total comp) (2025)
https://www.imanet.org/career-resources/salary-information - IMA candidate guidance (2026-05)
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification - IMA candidate guidance / Gleim CMA (2026-05)
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification - IMA CMA fee schedule (2026) (2026-05)
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification/enroll-in-the-cma - IMA CMA requirements (2026-05)
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification - IMA Global Salary Survey (US CMA late-career VP Finance / CFO track) (2025)
https://www.imanet.org/career-resources/salary-information - IMA published global pass rates (recent) (2025-Q4)
https://www.imanet.org/ima-certifications/cma-certification - Industry guidance (SIE + 7 + 66 typical 3-6 month sequence) (2026-05)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams - Investments & Wealth Institute CIMA exam (2026-05)
https://investmentsandwealth.org/certifications/cima-certification - IRS / PSI Services fee (May 2026 - February 2027 window) (2026-05)
https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agents-frequently-asked-questions - IRS Enrolled Agent program (2026-05)
https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents - IRS Enrolled Agent SEE pass rate (Treasury data) (2025-Q4)
https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agent-news - IWI registered education provider (Wharton, Yale SOM, U Chicago) tuition 2026 (2026-05)
https://investmentsandwealth.org/certifications/cima-certification - Kaplan / Achievable Series 63 guidance (2026-05)
https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-63-exam/ - Kaplan / Achievable Series 65 guidance (2026-05)
https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-65-exam/ - Kaplan / Achievable Series 66 guidance (2026-05)
https://www.nasaa.org/exams/series-66-exam/ - Kaplan / STC / Achievable Series 7 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities-licensing/series-7 - Kaplan / STC Series 7 guidance (2026-05)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/series7 - Kaplan Securities / Achievable SIE guidance (2026-05)
https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/sie - NASAA Series 63/65/66 fee schedule (2026) (2026-05)
https://www.nasaa.org/exams/exam-faqs/ - NASBA 2026 recommended exam fees (varies by state) (2026-05)
https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/examfaq/ - PayScale / Becker EA salary data 2025 (2025)
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Enrolled_Agent_(EA)/Salary - PayScale EA salary data 2025 (top decile, sole practitioners + senior tax controversy) (2025)
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Enrolled_Agent_(EA)/Salary - Rising Fellow / Coaching Actuaries CAS guidance (2026-05)
https://www.casact.org/exams-admissions - 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 - SOA candidate completion data (2026-05)
https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-asa-req/ - SOA candidate completion data (2026-05)
https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-fsa-req/ - 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/ - Society of Actuaries ASA requirements (2026-05)
https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-asa-req/ - Society of Actuaries FSA requirements (2026-05)
https://www.soa.org/education/general-info/edu-fsa-req/ - Society of Actuaries published pass rates 2024-2025 (2025-Q4)
https://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/exam-day-info/edu-results-history/ - The American College ChFC program (8 courses, all-in) (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/ChFC - The American College ChFC program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/ChFC - The American College CLU program (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU - The American College CLU program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/CLU - The American College RICP program (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/RICP - The American College RICP program tuition 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/RICP - UpperMark / AnalystPrep CAIA 2026 (2026-05)
https://www.uppermark.com/caia
Last Verified
Last full verification: 2026-05-28. Quarterly URL-drift check scheduled for 2026-08-01. Annual full refresh scheduled for January 2027. If you cite a specific number from this analysis, please cite the primary source from the list above. The credentialing bodies update fee schedules annually; a number on this page was current at the verification date but may have drifted by the time you read it.
Change Log
| Version | Date | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 2026-05-28 | Initial publication. 16 credential outcomes across 32 exam parts plus 6 wealth designations. 5 charts plus a master data table plus a career-goal decision matrix plus a full methodology sources list. |