CIMA vs CFA: Which is less difficult/cheaper/globally recognized?

Hi Everyone,

I am debating between the CFA and CIMA qualifications. I currently work at JPMorgan in the Product Control group within the Investment Bank.

I realize that these qualifications are very different, but I am basing my decision on the following factors: global recognition (including the US), degree of difficulty (which one is considered less difficult), and least expensive.

The CFA, I feel, is more globally recognized than the CIMA (I may consider moving back to the US in a few years). Would you say the CIMA is well recognized? Which one would you consider more difficult?

Also, I've been looking at the CIMA courses offered at LSBF, do you think it would be a waste of money to take the courses when (from my understanding) CIMA provides you with everything you need to study? And what exactly do they mean by tuition and revision courses? I'm assuming I'll get the revision material from CIMA itself...

I would definitely consider taking courses to help me study for the CFA because I feel that there are only 3 exams I need to pass, whereas for the CIMA, because there are 9+ papers, it will cost a fortune to study for each in part.

Thanks - appreciate your help.