Chartered Financial Analyst is an abbreviation for CFA. The CFA is a globally recognised course given by the CFA Institute in the United States. The CFA is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious degrees in financial services and management, as well as the pinnacle of investment management and analysis. CFA admission 2022 is based on a merit list that is created based on the candidates' graduation and work experience scores.

A Chartered Financial Analyst charter is a credential granted to persons who have completed the CFA Program as well as the required job experience. Those with backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, or business are more likely to finish the CFA Program.

What is the CFA Course?

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is the world's most popular finance education for investment management! It is a globally recognised qualification provided by the CFA Institute in the United States. CFA examinations are divided into three tiers (Level 1, 2 & 3). Level 1 is held in June and December, and Levels 2 and 3 are held in June. The curriculum covers all aspects of investment management, from equity to derivatives to portfolio management. CFA tests would be held quarterly beginning in 2021 — in February, May, August, and November for Level 1.

Why Study CFA Course?

Obtaining a CFA charter enables you to develop analytical skills and knowledge in quantitative methodologies, economics, financial reporting, investment analysis, and portfolio management. This combination of skills and information you will gain as a CFA charter holder will benefit you throughout your career.

Who should study CFA?

• Candidates who want to work in the financial services industry should take the course.
• Candidates who want to work as Portfolio Managers, Risk Managers, Financial Advisors, and so on should take the CFA certification course.
• The CFA certification course also helps applicants to transition from traditional courses such as BCom, MCom, and so on to a professional education that provides for improved career opportunities.
• Candidates who aspire to become entrepreneurs and start their careers as financial advisors can also enrol in CFA certification courses.
• Candidates with prior finance work experience might enrol in this course to increase their career prospects

CFA Course Details

Skills Required for CFA

The CFA exam is difficult, and the path to becoming a CFA charter holder challenges one's understanding of the topic as well as one's dedication, willpower, and endurance. Because CFA is a holistic career, passing all levels of tests will only offer certification and not the skill set. To be a professional Chartered Financial Analyst, one must have the following skillset:

CFA Skill Set

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Economics
• Corporate Issuers
• Fixed Income
• Alternative Investments
• Quantitative Methods
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Equity Investments
• Derivatives
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

CFA Subjects

The following subjects are included in the general CFA syllabus:

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Economics
• Corporate Issuers
• Fixed Income
• Alternative Investments
• Quantitative Methods
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Equity Investments
• Derivatives
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

CFA Course Syllabus

As previously indicated, the courses stay consistent throughout the whole curriculum of the CFA Certification course. The weightage of the core curriculum, on the other hand, differs depending on the level of the CFA course.

CFA Recommended Books 2022

While studying for the CFA certification course, students can consult a variety of reference materials.

• Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers & Acquisitions
• The Handbook of Fixed Income Securities
• Strategic Value Investing: Practical Techniques of Leading Value Investors
• 2021 CFA Level I
• CFA Level I
• When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long Term Capital Management
• The Cartoon Guide to Statistics

CFA Course Eligibility Criteria

Aspirants who want to pursue CFA must first complete certain qualifying requirements. The CFA qualifying criteria are mentioned in the space below.

• Because the CFA is a postgraduate credential, applicants must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent (regardless of subject) before enrolling in a CFA programme.
• Candidates who are in their last year of their bachelor's degree programme at the time of CFA registration are also eligible for the course.
• Candidates must have at least four years of relevant work experience at the time of registration.

CFA Entrance Exam

To get a CFA certification, candidates must pass all three levels of the CFA Institute's Chartered Financial Analyst Exam. Candidates who meet the institute's qualifying requirements can register for level 1 of the CFA test. In contrast, only candidates who pass the CFA level 1 test are eligible for the CFA level 2 exam, and only candidates who pass the CFA level 2 exam are eligible for the CFA level 3 exam. 

Every year in June, the CFA Level 2 and Level 3 tests are held. The CFA level 1 test is given twice a year, in June and December. The CFA level 1 test consists of 180 multiple-choice questions administered on a computer. Within 60-90 days of the test date, the CFA exam results are made accessible online.

CFA Registration Process

The CFA exams for the various levels are held throughout the year. The registration of the course content differs depending on the level of the test.

CFA Level 1: Registration Process

• To begin, applicants should create an account on the CFA Institute website, providing the essential information and selecting their desired test centre.
• If the candidates are qualified and want to apply for a scholarship, they must register as soon as possible and submit their scholarship application.
• If candidates are not given a scholarship, the next step is to pay their application and exam cost, which may be done through credit card, wire transfer, etc., and the amount depends on when the candidates register.
• There are three registration fee deadlines, the first of which is the lowest and the final of which is the most expensive.
• Candidates who are registering for CFA Level 1 for the first time must pay an extra one-time registration fee of USD 450.
• Candidates must read and agree on the Candidate Agreement while registering.
• Candidates must additionally submit a Professional Conduct Statement (disclosing relevant reprimands, litigations, investigations, and so on) at the time of their initial CFA test registration, as well as yearly and before each subsequent exam registration.
• The results are released 60 days after the exam date.

CFA Level 2: Registration Process 

• The procedure for CFA Level 2 is almost identical to that of CFA Level 1.
• Candidates that meet the eligibility requirements can apply for the scholarship programmes. If not, candidates must make the test fee payment before the deadline after selecting an exam centre. This time, there will be no enrolment charge.
• As with Level 1, candidates must read and accept the Candidate Agreement and submit a Professional Conduct Statement.
• The results are released 60 days after the exam date.

CFA Level 3: Registration Process

• To register for the CFA Level 3 test, applicants must complete the registration form online on the CFA Institute's official website with the essential information and choose their desired exam centre.
• The next step would be to choose the best qualifying criterion from the available possibilities. Candidates must provide information about their occupation, employer, employer location, and education level.
• After thoroughly reading the Candidate Agreement, accept it.
• Candidates must choose the format of the CFA study material they desire to obtain.
• Candidates must pay the fees by credit card, wire transfer, or other means.

Top CFA Institutions in Abroad

USA 

The following are the many courses offered by various colleges that have included a large component of the CFA programme into its curriculum to assist students in preparing for CFA tests.

• Anderson University
• Arizona State University
• Arkansas Tech University
• Babson College
• Ball State University
• Barry University
• Seattle University
• Northern Illinois University
• Ohio University
• University of Washington

Australia 

The following is a list of different courses from various institutions in Australia that have included a large element of the CFA programme into their curriculum to assist their students in preparing for CFA tests.

• Australian National University
• Bond University
• Griffith University
• Monash University
• Queensland University of Technology
• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
• University of Adelaide
• University of Melbourne
• University of Sydney
• University of Wollongong

Canada 

The following are the different Canadian institutions that have incorporated a portion of the CFA programme into their normal courses so that students can prepare for the CFA programme tests.

• Carleton University
• Dalhousie University
• Laval University
• McMaster University
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
• Okanagan College
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Waterloo
• York University

 UK 

The following are the many institutions in the United Kingdom that have included a portion of the CFA programme into their normal courses so that students can prepare for the CFA programme tests.

• Aston University
• Coventry University
• Cranfield University
• Durham University Business School
• Imperial College Business School
• King's College London
• Lancaster University
• Newcastle University
• Swansea University
• University of Cambridge

Career Prospects after CFA

A CFA charter holder has access to a myriad of professional opportunities. A Chartered Financial Analyst has the advantage of working in a variety of sectors, like as

CFA Job Fields

• Corporate banking
• Quantitative Analytics
• Asset Management
• Investment banking M&A
• Derivatives
• Wealth management
• Private equity
• Equities
• Research
• Trading
• Risk management
• Capital Markets

CFA Job & Salary  

The following are some of the job profiles available to a Chartered Financial Analyst. Find out what the beginning pay is for these job types.

 FAQ

Contact AECC for additional information on the courses available to overseas students in a number of places. It is vital to consider all of the benefits and drawbacks of a country where you wish to enhance your career. We realise how intimidating it might be, which is why we are here to help you pick your study location and give course information.