FAQs

About CFA

If you are looking for a passport to a competitive career in the fast-evolving world of investment and global finance, you should know about the CFA® charter.

The Chartered Financial Analyst® designation (or CFA charter) is a globally recognized, graduate-level investment credential awarded by CFA Institute. Earning it demonstrates mastery of a broad range of investment skills that will open door for you anywhere.

To earn the CFA charter you must complete the three challenging levels of the CFA Program.

Benefits of the CFA Charter

Global Recognition

With a five-decade history of maintaining a rigorous focus on globally relevant investment knowledge, the CFA charter is the most widely known and respected investment credential in the world. You will get global credibility on earning the CFA charter.

Career Advantage

Employers recognize the CFA charter as the definitive standard by which to measure the competence, integrity, and dedication of serious investment professionals. That’s why they are increasingly making it a prerequisite for many positions.

Community

On earning the CFA charter, you will join more than 90,000 respected investment professionals working in over 130 countries. Access to their collective expertise, networks, and resources is an invaluable asset.

Convenience

The CFA Program is a self-study program, which means you can continue working while completing it and you can fit it into your personal and professional life-no matter where you live.

Practical Skills

The CFA Program curriculum focuses on the practical knowledge and current skills necessary in the global investment management profession. From the very start of your studies, you will be gaining knowledge that is immediately useful on the job.

Jobs after the CFA Program

The CFA Program equips you with the comprehensive practical knowledge you need for a wide variety of career choices in the investment profession. Many CFA charter holders find that earning the CFA charter provides them with a passport for working within numerous investment specialties and markets around the globe. It also better equips them to change specialties as their careers evolve.

Basic Entrance Requirements for CFA Program Candidacy

·         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

·         Be prepared to take the exams in English language

·         Have a valid international travel passport

CFA Program Curriculum

Through a practice-analysis process that leverages the broad expertise and specialized knowledge and input of our global membership, panels of industry experts, and employers, the CFA Program curriculum is designed to deliver the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills most needed by those working in the investment profession.

Each of the three levels covers a full range of topics but with a different focus. The topic focus for Level I is on investment tools; Level II is on asset valuation; Level III is on portfolio management. The learning focus also changes with each exam, from knowledge and comprehension (Level I) to application and analysis (Level II) and to synthesis and evaluation (Level III). The curriculum is organized into 10 general topic areas that provide a framework for making investment decision.

                                                                                               CFA Exam Topic Area Weights