CFA Course

What is CFA Course?

The CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst is a known certification in investment management and financial analysis. It is offered by the CFA Institute.

The CFA is considered one of the prestigious qualifications for careers in finance, investment banking and portfolio management.

Eligibility Criteria

To register for the CFA course:

• You need a Bachelor’s degree. Students in their year can also apply.

• OR You need 4,000 hours of work experience. This can be a combination of study and work.

• You need an international passport.

• You need to understand English.

CFA Course Structure

The CFA program has three levels:

Level 1: Foundation Level

• Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Quantitative Methods

• Economics

• Corporate Finance

• Equity & Fixed Income

• Ethics

👉 Focus: The focus here is on basic knowledge of finance and investment tools.

Level 2: Intermediate Level

• Financial Statement Analysis

• Equity Valuation

• Fixed Income

• Portfolio Management

• Ethics

👉 Focus: The focus here is on applying concepts and valuation.

Level 3: Advanced Level

• Portfolio Management

• Wealth Planning

• Risk Management

• Ethics

👉 Focus: The focus here is on portfolio management and decision-making.

Exam Details

• CFA exams are conducted multiple times a year. 

• They are computer-based.

Format:

• Level 1: Multiple-choice questions (MCQ’s)

• Level 2: Case-study based questions

• Level 3: Essays and case studies.

Duration:

• The exams last around 4.5 to 5 hours. (split into sessions)

CFA Course Fees (Approx.)

• The enrollment fee is $350. This is a one-time fee.

• The exam fee is between $900 and $1,200 per level.

👉 The total cost is ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4 lakh. (approx.)

Duration of CFA Course

• The minimum duration is 1.5 to 2 years.

• The average duration is 2.5 to 4 years.

👉 You must clear all three levels one after the other.

Career Opportunities After CFA

Some popular job roles are:

• Investment Banker

• Financial Analyst

• Portfolio Manager

• Equity Research Analyst

• Risk Analyst

Top Companies Hiring CFA

• Investment Banks

• Asset Management Companies

• Hedge Funds

• Consulting Firms

• MNCs

Salary After CFA

• Freshers can earn between ₹6 and ₹12 lakh per annum.

• Experienced professionals can earn between ₹15 and ₹40 lakh per annum.

👉Salaries are higher in roles like investment banking and portfolio management.

Why Choose CFA?

• The CFA is a globally respected certification.

• It has a strong focus on investment and finance.

• It offers high paying career opportunities.

• It is recognized in financial markets.

• It provides expertise in portfolio and asset management.

Exam Pattern Summary

Who Should Do CFA?

• B.Com / BBA / Finance students

• MBA (Finance) students

• Aspiring Investment Bankers

• People interested in stock market & investments

Quick Comparison (CFA vs US CMA)