The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation is one of the most valued among financial professionals all over the world. Candidates who take the CFA course receive expertise in the finance and investment industries, which helps them to contribute to their capabilities.
The CFA course prepares individuals for jobs like Financial Analysts or Financial Managers by providing a core curriculum that includes investment fund, corporate finance, contracts, financial analysis and reporting, and so on.
There is no entrance examination for the CFA programme as it is a self-study mode course. Before beginning the course, candidates must first register online. To finish the course, candidates must complete all three levels of CFA:
- CFA Level 1
- CFA Level 2
- CFA Level 3.
Candidates nowadays give the CFA course the same weightage as the Chartered Accountant (CA) or Company Secretary (CS) courses. CFA courses are in high demand as they provide candidates with the chance to work with the world’s leading financial firms.
CFA Course Highlights
| Course Name | Chartered Financial Analyst |
| Short Name | CFA |
| Duration | 18 months to 4-Years |
| Course Type | Certification Course |
| Mode | Self-study Mode |
| Minimum Qualifications | 10+2 and Graduation |
| Average Fees | INR 40,000 – INR 1 Lacs |
| Average Salary | INR 7 – 40 LPA |
CFA Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the CFA course, candidates must meet the following CFA requirements or eligibility criteria:
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent program from a recognized college/university.
- Applicants in the last year of their Bachelor degree may also apply for the CFA course but must complete their degree before applying for the CFA level 2 exam.
- Candidates must have a minimum of 4-years of work experience. Those who are undergoing an internship or articleship, or who operate their own business, will also be considered for work experience.
Other Requirements
- Candidates must hold an international passport.
- Candidates must be good at English because the study material and examinations will be in English.
Skills Required
| Self-Management Skills | Analytical Skills |
| Computer Skills | Decision Making Skills |
| Time Management | Hardworking |
| Communication skills | Professionalism |
| Discipline | Self-motivation |
Selection Process for CFA
- Candidates must create an account on the CFA website so that they can register for their examination.
- Candidates must fill the examination form by providing their details and documents for the respective level they want to appear for.
- Candidates can choose between multiple exam periods based on their preferences for the various levels of examination.
- Candidates can now only register for the following level after passing the previous one.
- Scholarships are available to candidates throughout the registration procedure.
CFA Examination Pattern
Level 1
- The exam would be split into two halves, each lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Each half would have 90 multiple-choice questions.
- The first half would go through topics like ethical and professional standards, mathematical methodologies, economics, and financial analysis and reporting.
- The second session comprises corporate finance, stock, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management questions.
Level 2
- The CFA Level 2 examination is intended to assess a candidate’s capacity to contribute investment valuation ideas.
- Candidates will face 10 topics in the CFA Level 2 examination, which have been divided into four categories: investment tools, ethical and professional standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning.
- The level 2 exam last for 4.5 hours in total.
Level 3
- The CFA Level 3 examination is the last level before candidates can be certified as CFA charterholders.
- The CFA Level 3 exam focuses on portfolio management and wealth planning.
- The CFA level 3 examination is worth 360 points.
- The level 3 exam lasts 4.5 hours and is divided into two sections.
CFA Syllabus
We have given the course content to give you an idea of what you will have to study if you pursue a CFA course.
| The Investment Industry | Performance Evaluation |
| Ethics and Regulation | Investment Industry Documentation |
| Investment Professionalism | Risk Management |
| Microeconomics | Investment Management |
| Macroeconomics | Needs of Investors |
| Economics of International Trade | Functioning of Financial Markets |
| Financial Statements | Investment Vehicles |
| Quantitative Concepts | Structure of the Investment Industry |
| Debt Securities | Alternative Investments |
| Equity Securities | Derivatives |
Career after CFA
Chartered Financial Analysts have a lot of career prospects because their qualifications are well-known all over the world. After completing the CFA certification course, applicants can work as Chartered Financial Analysts, Business Professionals, Investment Managers, Private Banking, Chief Financial Officers, Portfolio Managers and many other professions.
CFA qualified individuals can make average earnings ranging from INR 3 lakh to INR 12 lakh at the start of their career. Depending on their talent, their salary increases at a particular level of experience.
The following are some of the top job profiles and income packages available to CFA certification candidates:
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chartered Financial Analyst | INR 9.5 LPA |
| Portfolio Manager | INR 10 LPA |
| Investment Manager | INR 7.5 LPA |
| Credit Analyst | INR 6 LPA |
| Business Consultant | INR 9.7 LPA |
| Associate in Investment Banking | INR 10.64 LPA |
| Market Research Analyst | INR 3.77 LPA |
| Equity Analyst | INR 5.8 LPA |
| Chief Executive Officer | INR 20 – 40 LPA |
| CFO | INR 15 – 30 LPA |
CFA Course FAQ’s
Including Level I examinations in June and December, and Level II and III examinations in June, the CFA Program can be completed in two years. Usually, individuals take three to four years to finish the entire curriculum as it requires Internships and all.
No. Unlike CA which can be pursued after 12th with a foundation level exam, candidates who want to pursue CFA must complete their graduation or in the final year of graduation before applying for Level 1.
It is not a degree. It is a certification course that provides professional designation that displays proficiency in sophisticated investment analysis and corporate finance.
Only in exceptional circumstances, candidates can reschedule their CFA exam once they’ve registered. It is simpler to withdraw, but unless they do so within three days of registration, they will be required to pay the registration fees again and register again.
It is a computer-based online exam with MCQ type questions.
