A Chartered Financial Analyst or CFA is a leading professional in the field of investments and financial management. This is an excellent career opportunity for candidates interested in investments and finance. The CFA Institute offers a CFA course to train students in this area. This position is recognized worldwide and offers a lucrative career for candidates taking a CFA course. In addition, the CFA degree is one of the most recognized degree programs in the field of investment management.
The course provides students with a thorough knowledge of the investment industry so that they can get well-paying jobs in the same field. Candidates can also find work in the international market. The CFA course in India consists of three levels and to become a CFA you need to pass all three levels.
Candidates taking CFA courses develop investment and financial management skills. It provides students with a practical overview of the investment market so that they can gain a good understanding of the subject. On the other hand, it is considered by many to be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. However, we have listed here all the aspects of a DWI course that you need to know.
CFA course Scope:
A Chartered Financial Analyst degree has many benefits for candidates. After successfully completing the CFA course, students can apply for a variety of jobs in finance and investment management.
Upon completion of the CFA program, graduates can go to work in the professions of their choice. The main areas in which CFA graduates can work are auditing, taxation, accounting, financial services, etc. As a result, it is easy to find a job in the financial sector after successfully completing the CFA course. In addition, candidates can earn a higher salary after completing the CFA program.
Skills required for the CFA course:
The CFA course is one of the most demanding in India. Therefore, merely passing the exams in this course is not enough to become a CFA professional. To properly perform the duties of a particular job profile, certain additional qualifications are required, which are described below.
- Integrity
- attention to detail
- Self-motivation
- Communication skills
- Agility
- Discipline
- Time Management
- Curiosity
CFA Course fee:
The cost of this course varies from institute to institute. The average cost of the course is between 30,000 rupees and 1.5 lakh.
Eligibility criteria for CFA courses
Individuals wishing to take the CFA course must meet the qualification criteria for this course. Admission requirements for CFA courses are as follows:
- Candidates wishing to pursue the CFA program must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field of study. Nevertheless, students with a finance degree have a very good understanding of the subject.
- In addition, individuals in the final year of an undergraduate program may apply for a DWI course. However, candidates must complete the undergraduate program before taking the CFA Level 2 exam.
- Candidates must also have at least four years of professional experience to qualify for this course.
Certified Financial Analyst Exam Course:
Those wishing to take the CFA course must pass all three levels of the exam administered by the CFA Institute. These exams are usually held in June and December at various exam centers across the country. The exams must be taken consecutively in order to complete the Chartered Financial Analyst course. Level 1 and 2 exam results will be announced within 60 days of the exam. The result of the Level 3 exam will be announced within 90 days of the exam.
Level 1 CFA Exam:
First, students must follow the registration process for the Level 1 exam by going to the official CFA Institute website. Here you can enter the necessary information and choose the test center. If you are entitled to a scholarship, you can apply for it and take advantage of this benefit. Otherwise, you must pay for the exam online by choosing the appropriate payment method.
The Level 1 exam contains 240 multiple-choice questions on a variety of topics, including professional ethical standards, fixed income derivatives, quantitative techniques, equity investing and more. This exam consists of two parts: morning and afternoon. Each session consists of 120 questions and takes 3 hours. This exam is usually administered in the first week of June and in December. The success rate for this test is 43%.
Level 2 CFA exam :
The registration procedure for the AFC Level 2 exam is similar to that for the AFC Level 1 exam. Candidates must therefore follow the instructions and complete the registration procedure as for the Level 1 examination.
The Chartered Financial Analyst Course Level 2 exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering the same topics as Level 1. The exam is administered in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. Each session lasts three hours and includes 60 multiple-choice questions. The level 2 exam will take place in the first week of June. You must score at least 45% on this exam to pass.
Level 3 CFA exam :
There are several steps in the registration process for the Level 3 exam. You need to go to the official website of the CFA Institute and fill out the online application form. When you register, you must also select your selection criteria, your profession, your employer and your level of education. Please read carefully and accept the agreement with the candidate. Finally, you need to pay the fee online by choosing the right payment method.
The CFA Level 3 exams are different from the Level 1 and 2 exams. The testing includes questions on essays and case studies, in the morning and afternoon respectively. The morning course consists of 8 to 12 open-ended questions with a maximum score of 180. In the afternoon session, 60 questions were asked in 10 case studies. Each exam session lasts 3 hours. The CFA Level 3 exam is usually administered in the first week of June. A minimum score of 56% is required for the Level 3 Certified Financial Analyst exam.
CFA Examination Centres:
There are many DWI exam centers in India. You can choose one of the following testing centers to take the CFA exam.
The examination centres for the June exams are Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata, Lucknow and Pune.
The examination centres for the December exams are Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bangalore and New Delhi.
Curriculum for the CFA program
The CFA Level 1, 2 and 3 exams generally cover the most important topics. To succeed and get good grades at any level, you need to know the detailed syllabus of the CFA course. Moreover, the curriculum for this subject is designed so that the level of difficulty increases with the level of the exam. Below are the topics you will learn in the CFA courses.
CFA Level 1 Program :
The Level 1 programme covers topics related to various financial management and investment concepts. The topics covered at this level are as follows:
- Ethics
- Quantitative Analysis
- Fixed Income Analysis
- Economy
- Derived products
- Analysis of financial statements
- Equity investments
- Corporate finance
- Alternative investments
- Portfolio management and asset planning
CFA Level 2 Training Program :
The topics covered in the Chartered Financial Analyst Course Level 2 exam are as follows:
- Quantitative methods
- Equity investments
- Fixed income
- Ethical and professional standards
- Corporate finance
- Alternative investments
- Economy
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Portfolio management
- Derived products
CFA Level 3 Program :
The Level 3 programme focuses primarily on wealth planning and portfolio management. In addition, the programme covers many other topics, which are listed below.
- Investment instruments
- Asset classes
- Ethical and professional standards
- Portfolio management and asset planning
Career opportunities for CFAC graduates :
Upon successful completion of the CFA course, candidates can obtain employment with various agencies in the public and private sectors. Below are some of the best job profiles for CFA candidates.
The management consultant of a company analyzes the financial statements of the company and makes recommendations to achieve future goals. The person in this position handles a variety of business issues and suggests possible solutions to specific problems. The average salary of a management consultant is 9.6 lakh per annum.
The main task of the portfolio manager is to monitor the investments and the financial situation of private clients. Portfolio managers typically follow predetermined investment strategies and work with both individuals and families. Some managers also work with financial institutions and corporate investors. The average annual salary of a portfolio manager is 8 lakh rupees.
The risk manager usually analyses the market risk and draws up a specific plan. It also implements a plan to mitigate the risks. They also focus on the development of risk models and provide clients with research and analysis support. This position requires certain specialized skills such as quantitative and analytical skills to ensure smooth operations. A risk manager can earn an average of 10 lakh per year.
- Sworn financial analyst:
This is the most popular professional profile for CFA graduates. The role of the Chartered Financial Analyst is to analyze financial portfolios and make recommendations in accordance with the analyst’s report. Individuals in this position also set financial goals and plan a phased process to achieve those goals.
Private bankers generally provide banking services to banking customers and ensure that their needs are met. They offer their clients various banking solutions and manage their money. They also work with the client’s condition management team. A private banker can earn an average of 8.6 lakh per year.
CFA courses in India:
Below is a list of the best CFA institutions in the country.
- International College of Financial Planning, [ICFP], New Delhi
- Sri Chimanbhai Patel Vocational Training Institute, [KPPT] Ahmedabad
- Sri Ram College, Delhi
- HR College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai
- Central India Institute of Management, [CIIMS] Jabalpur
- Narayan Business School, Ahmedabad
frequently asked questions
What are the costs of CFA courses?
The cost of the CFA® program starts at $2,550, which includes a one-time registration fee and a discount for early registration. But that may not be enough to get a CFA charter.
What are the admission criteria for CFA courses?
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Course details, admission …
What is CFA and what is its scope?
CFA, short for Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA guarantees you the highest recognition in the fund management profession. The programme enjoys a high degree of global recognition for its activities in the financial field. This is a qualification at postgraduate level.
