Chartered Financial Analyst
The CFA curriculum covers academic theory, current industry practice, and ethical and professional standards to provide a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. Clearing all three levels along with relevant work experience ensures professional excellence for those who have earned the charter. The topics covered by the CFA curriculum are:
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Quantitative Methods
- Economics
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Portfolio Management
- Equity
- Fixed Income
- Derivatives
- Alternative Investments
The CFA program consists of a series of three exams: Level1, 2 and 3 conducted every year, each culminating in a six-hour exam. All three levels require dedicated six months of preparation. The program progresses in complexity as you move through the three levels. Clearing all three levels lead to award of prestigious CFA designation.
At Level I, you will be asked basic knowledge and comprehension questions focusing on asset valuation. Some questions will require that you perform analysis. Level II further emphasizes analysis along with application, while Level III focuses on synthesizing basic knowledge with evaluation tools and analytical methods for effective portfolio management.
LEVEL I: TOOLS
- Tools and concepts that apply to investment valuation and portfolio management
- Basic concepts regarding asset classes, securities, and markets
- CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
LEVEL II: ASSET VALUATION
- Application of tools and concepts of investment valuation
- Industry and company analysis
- Analysis of investment vehicles and instruments
- CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
LEVEL III: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
- Management of institutional and individual portfolios
- Management of specific asset class portfolios
- CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
Top Occupations of CFAs Globally
CFAs globally are working in number of areas of finance. The CFAs are hired by all global companies in the finance domain. Top ten companies that usually favor CFAs for investment profile include:- JP Morgan Chase
- PwC
- HSBC
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- UBS
- Ernst & Young
- RBC
- Citigroup
- Morgan Stanley
- Wells Fargo
CFA Program Candidates
In FY14, the CFA Institute received over 210,000 exam registrations across three levels.
- CFA charter shows mastery of the skills much needed in investment analysis and decision making in today’s fast evolving global financial industry.
- CFA program is a cost-effective way to gain skills in today’s global investment profession and make transition to a career change in investment profession.
- CFA program helps to make a wide variety of career choices in investment profession owing to its complete knowledge base in finance.
- CFA helps you make sound investment decisions in ever changing world of finance.
- The CFA Program curriculum is based on an extensive and ongoing global practice-analysis process that relies on input, discussions, surveys, and review from thousands of active practitioners and CFA charterholders.
- The CFA Program is designed for self-study, which helps you to gain charter while working.
- CFA institute also conducts eductaional and nertworking events for its members around the world.
- CFA institute conducts research and provide webcasts, and article abstracts on timely topics prepared by thoughtleaders and academic experts from around the world.
CFA course details
CFA Program is a professional credential offered by CFA Institute to Investment and Financial professionals. After completing and passing the CFA Program one will bridge academic theory,assess current industry practice, and learn ethical and professional standards to provide a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.
You are eligible if you are in the final year of your bachelor’s program or already have a bachelor’s degree, or have professional working experience that totals up to 4 years. Below is the CFA eligibilitycriteria course in India.
- Current MBA students/MBA aspirants
- B Com / M Com students
- CA aspirants
- IT professionals
This program helps you specialize in a broad range of investment specialties that can be applied in any market worldwide. CFA Program is wide-ranging curriculum that will expose you to investment principles for you to meet the professional requirements of any work place. The level of competence and integrity of a Finance professional today is measurable by a definitive standard like CFA Program.
To earn a CFA charter, one has to give a series of sequential exams Level I, Level II, and Level III. The minimum duration to clear all three exams takes about 2 years.
Today CFA® Level 1 course in India is considered as the highest standard of professional excellence. If you are someone who wishes to get placed in elite company like Big Fours, then all it would take is passing the rigorous exams and confirming your mastery. This certification ensures that you are equipped with hands-on knowledge in the investment industry. To build remarkable reputation among your clients, employers or colleagues, you have to commit to ethical behavior and proficiency at work. Therefore, being a CFA charter will uplift your credibility in the eyes of clients and colleagues.
Companies are on the lookout for people who are infused with asset-management skills, can formulate investment strategies and perform investment analysis. No wonder why CFA course in India is in demand. Since MBA’s are only exposed to non-financial subjects like marketing, human resources, organizational behavior and others, lack of financial planning has become a great concern. In order to fill that gap, CFA Program came up with comprehensive and exhaustive exams dedicated to prepare individuals entirely to carve a Finance Career path.
Credibility:
- There is nothing like being highly regarded as expert in the world of Finance. Get recognized throughout the world while you join a network of 100,000 investment professionals.
Global Recognition:
- CFA Program has a six-decade history which is why they are accepted globally. CFA charterholder can look for jobs across markets, for example, a CFA charter earned in Asia can be recognized by employers in Europe.
Respect:
- Chartered Financial Analyst designation is touted as one of the most respected certification amongst the employers in India.
Everyone who is already in Finance field or wishing to switch their careers can choose from a myriad of job roles like as follows:
- Portfolio managers
- Private bankers
- Fund of fund managers
- Financial advisor
- Relationship manager
- Financial strategists.