Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

What Do They Do?

  • Have you heard of the share market?
  • In the share market, people buy shares of companies.
  • If the company grows, the value of the shares they bought also increase.
  • But how do you know which company you should invest in?
  • This is where a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)can help.
  • A CFA studies company’s financial information, how the company is performing, its future plans, and what is happening in the market.
  • They use this information to understand whether the company could be a good investment.
  • 👉 In simple words: A CFA helps people and organisations invest their money wisely.

🎓 How to Become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

STEP 1

Complete a bachelor's degree in any field.

Note: Students can also start the CFA Program while doing their bachelor's degree if they meet the eligibility requirement.

STEP 2

Register for the CFA Level I exam through the CFA Institute website.

CFA Institute Official Website
STEP 3

Pass the CFA Level I examination and complete the required Practical Skills Module. CFA Level 1 Examination

STEP 4

Pass the CFA Level II examination and complete the required Practical Skills Module. CFA Level II examination

STEP 5

Pass the CFA Level III examination and complete the required Practical Skills Module. CFA Level III examination

STEP 6

Gain 4,000 hours of relevant professional work experience over at least 36 months.

STEP 7

Apply for CFA Institute membership and become a CFA charterholder.

STEP 1

Imagine you are working as a CFA in an investment company.

STEP 2

You study information about different companies and their financial performance.

STEP 3

You check how the companies are performing and what is happening in the market.

STEP 4

You compare different companies to find good ones to invest in.

STEP 5

You give advice to people about where they could invest their money.

STEP 6

If studying companies, understanding the market, and helping people make investment decisions interests you, this career may suit you.

Investment Management Companies

Analyse investments and manage people's money.

Banks & Financial Institutions

Work with investments, financial research, and markets.

Asset Management Companies

Manage investment portfolios for individuals and organisations.

Investment Banking Firms

Help companies raise money and make business deals.

Mutual Fund Companies

Research and manage investments in mutual funds.

Stock Broking & Securities Firms

Study companies and financial markets.

Insurance Companies

Analyse investments and financial risks.

Wealth Management Firms

Help people plan and manage their investments.

Pension & Retirement Funds

Manage investments for people's retirement.

Research & Consulting Firms

Study companies, industries, and financial markets.

Private Equity & Venture Capital Firms

Find and study companies worth investing in.

International Finance Companies

Work with global investment firms and financial institutions.

(Click Yes or No for each question)

1. Are you interested in finance?

2. Do you like learning how companies make money?

3. Are you interested in learning about the share market?

4. Imagine you are working as a Financial Analyst for an investment company. Your company is thinking of investing money in another company. Before investing, they want to know more about that other company. They ask you to find out more. You study its financial information and check how well its business is doing. You then share all the information you collected with your company. Finally, the company decides whether to invest in that business based on your findings. Do you like this type of work?

5. Imagine you are working as a Financial Analyst for a mutual fund company. The company wants to invest its customers' money in different businesses. You study different companies and find out which companies are good to invest in. You share your findings with the investment team. Finally, the team decides where to invest the customers' money. Do you like this type of work?