FINRA Exams vs ACAMS Certifcation

Hi,

I recently passed the Series 57 exam and previously passed the Series 7 and 63 exams. I told my manager that was next interested in taking the Series 4 exam. I think I would eventually also like to have the Series 3 and Series 24.

I work in compliance and my manager suggested going for the ACAMS certification (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists). Although I am not in the AML space, I am in compliance, dealing primarily with equities, although some fixed income matters are within my purview.

What are people's thoughts on what is more valuable to obtain? My manager would support and sponsor me in either case. I had my mind set on getting the rest of the series licenses I previously mentioned. But, now I am not so sure.

I am also concerned about the time and study commitment involved. I felt I studied pretty hard for the 7 and 57 (less so for the 63), but didn't mind doing so. However, if getting the ACAMS certification is tantamount to the CFA, I am not so certain that I am want to commit to that kind of study regimen.

Any informed insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

1 Comments
 

Ipsum voluptates deleniti a facere vel quisquam repellendus molestias. Magnam qui nesciunt magni dolorem recusandae ex autem.

Distinctio iure quia explicabo tempore vel voluptate. In omnis ducimus eos dicta ipsam qui. Odit dicta soluta odio aut. Iusto laborum harum vero ea libero. Nobis sint eos laborum incidunt.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”