INTRODUCTION

 

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program is a professional credential offered internationally by the U.S based CFA Institute (formerly the Association for Investment Management and Research, or AIMR). The CFA charter is a qualification for finance and investment professionals, particularly in the fields of investment management and financial analysis of stocks, bonds and their derivative assets.

The program focuses on portfolio management and financial analysis, and provides generalist knowledge of finance.

“Among the countless finance degrees around the world, the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification has become the gold standard.”

 

SKILL SET

 

• Discipline
• Time Management
• Integrity
• Diligence
• Focus
• Attention to Detail
• Curiosity

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CFA EXAM

 

You can take the exam as long as you:

 

• Have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree, or be in the final year of your bachelor’s degree at the time of registration, or have four years of qualified, professional work experience or a combination of work/college experience that totals four years
• Meet the professional conduct admission criteria
• Can take the exams in English
• Have a valid international travel passport

 

How to Become a CFA Charter holder:

 

Pass CFA Exams

 

CFA Program contains three levels of curriculum, each with its own exam. Passing the exam for all three levels is a requirement to obtain the CFA charter.

 

Level Advancement

 

LEVEL I

 

Knowledge and Comprehension

 

• Topic Focus: Investment Tools
• Tests your knowledge of ethical and professional standards

 

LEVEL II

 

Application and Analysis

 

• Topic Focus: Asset Valuation
• Tests how you apply standards to situations analysts face

 

LEVEL III

 

Synthesis and Evaluation

 

• Topic Focus: Portfolio Management
• Tests how you apply the standards in a portfolio management and compliance context

 

CFA Level 1 topics and their weightage

 

The Level I study program emphasizes tools, inputs and includes an introduction to asset valuation, financial reporting and analysis, and portfolio management techniques.

 

Ethical and Professional Standards-15%, Quantitative Methods-12%, Economics-10%, Financial Reporting and Anlaysis-20%, Corporate Finance-8%, Portfolio Management-5%, Equity-10%, Fixed Income-12%, Derivatives-5%, Alternative Investments- 3%.

 

CFA Level 1 Exam Format

 

• Level 1 Exam is 3 hours long and is divided into morning and afternoon sessions
• 240 total multiple choice questions, 120 in the morning session of the exam and 120 in the afternoon session. Each multiple choice question is free-standing (not dependent on other questions) and has three possible answers: A, B, and C. All questions are equally weighted and there is no penalty for guessing
• Level 1 can be taken in June and December

 

Achieve Qualified Work Experience

 

Complete work experience requirements before, during, or after participation in CFA Program. Your experience must be directly involved with the investment decision-making process or producing a work product that informs or adds value to that process.

 

Submit Reference Letters

 

In support of your membership application, you will need to provide 2-3 professional references. References will be asked to comment on your work experience and professional character.

 

Apply to Become a Charter holder

 

Apply to become a regular member of CFA Institute. Once your application is approved and you have joined CFA Institute, you will have earned the CFA charter.

 

JOB PROSPECTS

 

• Investment Banking Analysts / Bankers
• Financial advisers
• Corporate Financial Analysts
• Risk Managers
• Consultants
• Portfolio Manager
• Chief Executives
• Research Analysts

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is best to our knowledge. It is highly recommended that you should cross-check the source of information through the specific Colleges and Institutes. WonderSkool (WS Education Pvt Ltd) is in no way responsible for the decisions made solely on the basis of this document.