Chartered Financial Analyst - Explained
What is a Chartered Financial Analyst?
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 22nd, 2024
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What is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a designation awarded by the American-based CFA Institute to finance professionals with careers in Investment Banking, Equity Research, Capital Market, Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance and others.
A CFA applicant must comply with one of the following requirements:
- Four years of professional work experience or a bachelor's degree or a combination of both in the final year of the bachelor's degree program.
- The bachelor's degree must be completed before qualifying for the level II test for undergraduate qualification.
- Have an international passport
- Complete assessment in English
- Live in a participating country.
The CFA exam consists of three exams:
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III
The Level I exam comprises of investment basic knowledge and comprehension questions.
Level II exam focuses on valuing assets.
The Level III exam combines both I and II for effective portfolio management and wealth planning.
Each exam level is taken annually in June at test centers all over the world.