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CFA Course / CFA Certification

CFA, full form Chartered Financial Analyst, is a globally recognized Postgraduate course offered by the CFA Institute, USA.
CFA Institute was established in 1947. Over these 70+ years, The CFA Program has emerged as the benchmark qualification for the investment industry.
CFA is considered to be one of the most respected degrees in Financial Services and Management and the pinnacle in Investment Management and Analysis.
CFA Program is recognized in more than 167 Countries.
The course curriculum includes Equity Investment, Corporate Finance, Derivatives, Financial Reporting and Analysis etc. It prepares the aspirants to be effective and ethical investment management working professionals.

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Scope of CFA Course in India

CFA is one of the most renowned commerce courses available in India. Students with CFA certificate earns almost the same money and respect as a CA or CS course.
CFA Program provides opportunities in various areas including asset management, portfolio management, investment banking, corporate finance, wealth management, research, and consulting.
As International financial firms are focusing on the reduction of the cost of labour, they are outsourcing the majority of the work in India due to cost advantage. All the international KPO ’s, investment banking and financial servicing firms are looking for the highest credential in investment finance industry like CFA charter, which is a great opportunity for the CFA charter holders in India.
CFA Candidates also get an opportunity to work at Buy-side Research, alternative Investments, risk management, financial planning, and private Equity.
Stock brokers in India which slowly reaching bigger scale of operations and international operations prefer candidates with the CFA® designation
CFA Charter gives you expertise in Asset valuation, Investment analysis, and portfolio management.

MBA Finance v/s CFA v/s FRM

The table below gives you a brief of the differences between MBA course and CFA course

Details	MBA	CFA	FRM
Focus Area	General Management and Broad Business Concepts	Core Finance including Investment tools and Valuations	Underlying concepts of Risk Management
Organizing Body	Depends on the Institute you enrol	CFA Institute (USA)	The Global Association of Risk Professionals (USA)
Examination Format	4 Semesters Exams	3 Level Examination	2 Level Examination
Average Course fees	6- 10 Lakhs	2-3 Lakhs	2 Lakhs
International recognition	Limited	Globally	Globally
Starting Salary	4-6 Lakhs	6-10 Lakhs	5-6 Lakhs

Why Study CFA?

The following are some of the perks of doing the CFA course:

A Global Certification: The certification offered by the CFA institute is accepted in over 167 countries around the world. The CFA institute is considered to be the golden standard of professional credential for investment professional
Huge Opportunities in the financial Market: Overall investment, mobile wallets, and mutual funds will expand job possibilities in the finance sector in the future. As a result, CFA charter holders will have a plethora of job options in the future.
Good compensation: After completing the course, a CFA graduate may expect to earn between INR 6,00,000 and INR 60,00,000 per year.
Scope of career advancement: CFA graduates are often hired in higher-level positions in the financial business. According to the CFA Institute, the majority of CFA Charter holders are hired by the world's leading financial institutions like JP Morgan Chase, UBS, RBC, Bank of America ML, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, and others. As a result, becoming a member of such an elite alumni network, involved in top firms mentioned above, would not only assist applicants to have a successful career, but also provide happiness in life.
Develop financial skill: The programme enables applicants to gain the abilities required to operate in the financial sector. Subjects in the CFA curriculum include portfolio management, wealth planning, derivatives, corporate finance, and alternative investments which helps students to have a better grasp of the financial sector and its services.
Entrepreneurship Option: Candidates after the completion of the CFA course can also use their certificate and the acquired skill sets to start their own consultancy firms. Investment management is a good entrepreneurial option because 71% of the Indian prefer to take financial advice from a qualified professional.

CFA Course Details / CFA Syllabus

CFA course is divided into 3 Levels i.e., Level I, Level II, and Level III

CFA Level I Focuses on 10 Subjects

The weightage of each subject is different in different levels

Topics	Level I	Level II	Level III
Ethical and Professional Standards	15-20%	10-15%	10-15%
Quantitative Methods	8-12%	5-10%	0
Economics	8-12%	5-10%	5-10%
Financial Reporting and Analysis	13-17%	10-15%	0
Corporate Finance	8-12%	5-10%	0
Portfolio Management	5-8%	5-15%	35-40%
Equity Investment	10-12%	10-15%	10-15%
Fixed Income Instruments	10-12%	10-15%	15-20%
Derivatives	5-8%	5-10%	5-10%
Alternative Investment	5-8%	5-10%	5-10%

Examination Cycle

Level I exams are conducted four times a year in the following months: February, May, August, and November
Level II and Level III examinations are conducted twice a year in February and August
Level III examinations are conducted in May and November.

CFA Level I Examination Format

CFA Level I is a computer-based examination and it consists of 180 Multiple-choice questions. Level I examination is split between two 135 minutes sessions.

CFA Level II Examination Format

The CFA Level II is a computer-based examination. Level II examination is split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes..

The CFA Level II exam consists of item sets comprised of vignettes (Case Study) consisting 88 multiple-choice questions.

CFA Level III examination Format

The CFA Level III is a computer-based examination. Level III examination is split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes.

The First session in Level III examination consists of 8 to 11 vignettes followed by questions that require written response (Also known as Constructed Response).

The Second session in Level III examination consists of item sets comprised of vignettes (Case Study) consisting 44 multiple-choice questions.

CFA Course Eligibility

A Valid International Passport
The candidates must pass their bachelor or equivalent programs from any stream from recognised universities or colleges.
Candidates who are in the last year of their Bachelor's degree program can also register for the CFA course. However, candidates must complete their Bachelor course prior to the date of registering for CFA level 2 exam

Candidates should have a minimum work experience of 4000 Hours or a combination of 4000 hours of work experience or higher education acquired over a minimum period of 3 sequential years before registering for level 1 exam.

CFA Course Work experience requirement

To become a CFA Charterholder Candidate should complete the work experience requirement by having at least 4,000 hours of relevant investment-related work experience, completed in a minimum of 3 years.
Full time, part-time or remote work arrangements completed before, during or after your CFA program can qualify to meet the work experience requirement.

Why FPA?

FPA - Top CFA institute in Mumbai, has a decade-plus of expertise in providing Banking & Financial Services related training having trained 6,00,000+ professionals across 58 countries.
We don’t hire part-time trainers. We have Full-time trainers to train students during the entire CFA Course. All trainers are qualified.
Comprehensive support until CFA exams are cleared.
Learning of Key Concepts using real-life examples and case studies.
World-Class Learning Management System to make online learning smooth and more effective.
Computer-based Mock papers & Test Series using our LMS.
100% Job placement assistance & support in CFA Exam Registration
Full-time Faculty support.
Unlimited Doubt Solving Sessions.
Weekend CFA Classes / Online CFA Classes.

FAQ

What is CFA?

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is one of the most sought-after designations for investment professionals across the globe.
CFA Program is recognized in more than 167 Countries
CFA Program is a professional certification offered by CFA Institute, USA.

How long does it take to clear CFA Exams?

On average students take 2-3 years to complete all the levels of the CFA examination

Yes, the CFA course is designed in a manner that students can prepare for CFA exams along with their Job. CFA course is well suited for professionals as well as graduate students who would like to propel their careers in the Finance and Investment world.

What is the starting salary I can Expect after completing CFA Course

The salary depends on professional capabilities and is therefore subjective, however, the average salary is between Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs as a Fresh graduate after completing the course.

I am from Non-Commerce Background. Will I face any difficulty in the CFA program?

No, we conduct basic sessions on accounting & Finance that can help non-commerce students and engineers to create a good foundation.

Is there any negative marking in the CFA examination?

No, CFA exams do not have any negative markings or any sectional cut-off.

Can I take CFA Exams along with my graduation?

Yes, you can attempt CFA Level 1 examination in the Final year of Graduation.

Can I get a job after passing the CFA level 1 examination?

Yes, there are enough opportunities available once you pass CFA Level 1 examination.

Can we get any scholarships for examination and registration?

Yes, CFA institutes offer various types of scholarships. Please reach out to us for more details regarding scholarship details and their applications.

What kind of Jobs does CFA Charterholder get?

CFA course offers enough opportunities in the field of portfolio management, asset management, Investment Banking and Wealth Management.

What is the passing percentage for CFA Level I examination?

The average Pass rate for CFA Level 1 is around 40-45%, however, with the help of proper guidance from FPA, your chances of clearing this exam can be a lot higher.

When are CFA exams conducted?

Level I examinations are conducted four times a year in February, May, August, and November. Level II and Level III examinations are conducted twice a year.

How to Become a CFA Charter holder?

To became a CFA Charter holder, you should complete all Levels of the CFA examination along with four years of Professional Work Experience.

What are the eligibility criteria for CFA Course?

The candidate should have completed a bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree.

Can I give CFA Level 1 examination in my first/ second year of college?

The candidate should be in the final year of graduation while giving CFA Level 1 examination. However, you can start preparing for the examination in the first/second year and appear in the final year.

What are the CFA registration and examination fees?

When you register for the CFA program, you will have to pay one-time enrolment fees of $450. You will have to pay additional registration fees to sit for the examinations. Depending on when you register, examination fees can vary.

The CFA course fees structure is explained below:

Registration	Early Bird	Standard	Late
Months Before Exam	8-9 Months	3-4 Months	2.5 Months
Enrolment	$450	$450	$450
CFA Level 1 Examination Fees	$700	$1000	$1450
CFA Level 2 Examination Fees $700 $1000 $1450	$700	$1000	$1450
CFA Level 3 Examination Fees $700 $1000 $1450	$700	$1000	$1450
Total	$2550	$3450	$4800

(The CFA exam fees changes from time to time, please contact FPA counsellor for more information)

Is there any internship required in CFA Program?

No, you can complete your CFA course fully without any internship and start to work full time post successfully clearing your CFA exams. However, there is a 3 year Practical Experience Requirement before you become a CFA Charterholder, this experience can be pre, during or after studies as well.