Accounting Designation

Hey guys, I have been monitoring this site for the last few months in anticipation of enrolling for the CFA level 1 exam in December 2011. I was an Economics major in University and am currently in my last year of a Certified Management Accounting (CMA) designation. I was wondering if there is any accountants on this board who also are pursuing/completed the CFA to give some insight into the CFA from a different perspective. I keep hearing that the FRA is the most difficult and wonder if you found it to be not too bad. My goal is to be a financial analyst working within one of our asset class areas. Any insight would be appreciated!