What is the difference between the CFP, CFA and CPA designations?

CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner. CFP Practitioners are financial planners and primarily advise individuals about a broad range of issues related to personal finances. This includes overall financial planning along with personal investment portfolio planning, insurance planning, retirement planning, tax and estate planning. CFP Practitioners offer a broad range of services directed at individuals and covering many areas related to personal finance.

CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA's are primarily investment professionals with a more narrow range of services as they are highly specialised investment professionals. In general, their activities are not geared toward providing advice to individuals. Instead, CFA's are employed as fund managers, research analysts, pension fund administrators, etc.

CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant. CPA's are primarily tax and audit professionals with a more narrow range of services as they are highly specialised tax and audit experts. In general, their activities are not geared toward providing advice to individuals. Instead, CPA's generally advise companies on tax and audit matters.