THE CFA PROGRAM

Achieve the highest distinction in the investment The Value of the Charter
management profession—the CFA® designation
A powerful global
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program helps you capitalize network of top industry
on your strengths, supercharging your education and work professionals
experience into a charter that will tell the world you have the skills A recognized commitment
necessary to compete and excel in today’s complex and evolving to ethics and
investment industry. The CFA charter is the gold standard for the professionalism

investment industry. Charterholders enjoy a mark of distinction Real-world skills for

throughout the world. making complex
investment decisions
The CFA Program provides the strongest foundation in advanced
investment, analysis, and real-world portfolio management skills
for a career advantage that you will use at all stages of your career.
“You can hire people with an
This globally recognized, graduate-level credential is held by over
MBA, but you don’t necessarily
150,000 professionals across 163 countries. know that one MBA is the same
as another MBA, whereas if you
hire investment professionals
Top Five Global Charterholder Roles with a CFA [designation], you
absolutely have confidence
at the level of qualification.”
Job Titles
1) Portfolio Manager Jenny Johnson
Franklin Templeton COO/President
2) Research Analyst
3) Chief Level Executive
4) Consultant Recognized and
5) Risk Manager welcomed by markets
and employers globally
Practice Types
1) Equities Fluency in both practical
2) Fixed Income investment analysis and
management skills
3) Private Equity
4) Derivatives Access to career
5) Real Estate advancing tools and
education
HOW TO EARN THE CFA CHARTER
COMPLETE THREE LEVELS OF THE CFA PROGRAM EXAM
Focus areas vary by exam level, increasing in complexity and difficulty with a core of ethics and
professional standards across all levels.

LEVEL I LEVEL II LEVEL III

(Offered every June (Offered every June) (Offered every June)
and December)

Ethics Ethics Ethics

KEY

Ethics and Professional Investment Tools Asset Classes Portfolio Management

Standards • Quantitative Methods • Equity Investments and Wealth Planning
• Economics • Fixed Income • Portfolio Management
• Financial Reporting • Derivatives • Wealth Planning
and Analysis • Alternative Investments
• Corporate Finance

The Path to Becoming a Charterholder

Success
Requires
year commitment to
4+
complete the full program

Pass CFA Program 4 Years Qualified Work 2–3 Letters of Reference New Charterholder

300+
hours of study
Exams Experience

per exam level Next Steps Undergraduate education: A bachelor’s (or equivalent)
degree or be in the final year of your bachelor’s degree
To enroll in the program; or
Comprehension CFA Program and
register for your
Work experience: Four years of professional work
all exam questions experience (does not have to be investment related); or
are based on the first Level I exam,
you must have an A combination of professional work experience and
CFA Program curriculum
education that totals at least four years (part-time
international travel
positions do not qualify, and the four-year total must be
passport and one accrued prior to enrollment).
Study Tools provided:
of the following:
Ebook
2,700+ Practice Questions
Mock Exams
List of Approved Prep Providers
For more information on the CFA Program visit www.cfainstitute.org/programs
© 2018 CFA Institute. All rights reserved.