What is CFA and how to become a CFA in India?

CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst®) is a post-graduate professional designation given to those who have completed the CFA program according to the CFA Institute in India. The CFA program certifies the competency and ethics of financial analysts and is one of the most respected and recognized investment management designations in the world.

It is a professional credential that demonstrates mastery of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management. It is also a globally recognized credential that helps students demonstrate mastery over advanced investment analysis & real-time portfolio management

There are several reasons to take up a CFA Charter

• The CFA charter is the gold standard for the investment industry
• For career advancement opportunities in investment firms
• For better ROI than MBA programs

Firms and professionals in the investment industry are stewards of capital — they help clients make investment decisions, invest their money, and provide services to enhance financial markets. The scope of these services can include trading, asset management — constructing and managing investment portfolios and funds — and regulation of these systems.

Enrolling in the CFA Program and earning the CFA charter prepares and positions you for a variety of career paths in the investment industry. Here are some of the career options and jobs for a CFA in India as well as abroad

Widely considered the apex for professional development in investment management, the CFA designation is valued by employers for roles and functions in every sector of the finance industry, including portfolio management, analysis, private wealth, and consulting. But the CFA charter also equips professionals with the versatility to take their career paths in different directions such as

• Portfolio management
• Research
• Consulting
• Risk analysis and risk management
• Investment strategy
• Financial Analyst

The full range of job functions includes relationship management and wealth management, data science, credit analysis, chief investment officer, trading, accounting and auditing, investment banking, financial planning, and sales and trading.

CFA Salary Scale in India

It is no secret that the banking industry pays well, it is one of the most lucrative industries. A CFA charter holder in India with 15+ years of experience usually makes INR 50,00,000 annually. Also, the best part about CFA is that recognition starts from level- 1 itself and you can start working while prepping for level 2 and level 3. As you progress up the ladder, your salary also increases.

In the US the average pay of a banker with a fair amount of work experience and with any big conglomerate firm is north of USD $ 200,000. Pay is comparable to that of other industries in the initial 3–4 years of your career, but it starts to grow exponentially once you reach a certain level.

Requirements to sit for CFA exam in India-

An individual wishing to enroll in the CFA Program and register for the Level I exam for the first time must possess

1. Have earned a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree, or select an exam window that is 11 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program- must complete your degree program prior to sitting for level II.
2. Have accumulated 4,000 hours of applicable professional work experience (not required to be investment-related). Candidates may also have a combination of full-time professional experience and education that totals a minimum of 4000 hours. Those hours of experience/education must be accrued prior to enrolment in the program.
3. An international travel passport. In addition, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

The exams dates for CFA candidates this year are as follows

a. Level 1–4 times per year — (February/May/August/November*)

b. Level 2–2 times per year — (November/February)

c. Level 3–2 times per year — (November/May)

The average pass rate for each level of exam appeared by CFA candidates are as follows:

a. Level 1- 22–25%, Level 2- 40%, Level 3–42%

Registration windows for CFA Candidates in 2022.

Why should you opt for a course with Miles & Schweser Kaplan?

CFA in 2021 has moved to online exam and is no longer a pen and paper exam therefore the curriculum and study material for CFA exams has also changed

Kaplan Schweser apart from being the original provider for the CFA Study material and exam prep has the latest and the updated study material and test prep to prepare for the online CFA exams. As a student cannot rely on old and photo-copied study material to prep for CFA exams, it is advisable to procure original Kaplan study material for the CFA Exam prep. The benefit of enrolling for a CFA Course in India with Miles is that Miles Education has a tie up with Kaplan Schweser prep provider and students who enroll in the Miles CFA course in India have the benefit of access to the latest curriculum and study material also access to the best CFA coaching in India with a 50% off on course fee and study materials provided by Kaplan Schweser

Below listed are some of the features of the Miles-Schweser CFA Course in India

1. Original materials with access to a full fledged state of the art Learning Management system ( LMS ) with access to study tools such as tutorial videos, practice quizzes, practise exams, question banks and notes.
2. Deep discounts for Miles students
3. One to One mentoring sessions
4. Blended model of live weekend master classes by Kaplan’s specialised Global instructors and weekend live concept classes by National instructors from Big 4s and industry with online live practise sessions during weekdays
5. Recorded class videos available
6. Performance tracking with reports from Schweser Kaplan

Other benefits include:

a. 100+ hours of Live virtual classes

b. 100+ hours of video lectures by expert instructors from Kaplan

c. 20+ hours of Masterclass by industry thought leaders

d. 30–45 minute bite-sized videos

e. 1000s of practice questions

f. Review mock exams

g. Print or eBook study guide covering every LOS

h. Printable formula reference sheets

i. Professional online mentoring

j. Exam planner & personalized study

k. Dashboard & performance metrics

l. Life-time access

Class Model :

a. 4 hour concept class on Saturdays/ Sundays

b. 2 practise sessions of 1.5 hours each during weekdays

c. Class Schedule January to April for May/August Exam For Level 1

CFA Exam Cost:

a. One time enrolment fees of $450

b. Early registration fees : $700, Standard Registration fees $1000 ( For each level)

CFA Course fees with Miles Education

a. Level 1: INR 39,000(incl GST) b. Level 2: INR 39,000(incl GST) c. Level 3: INR 39,000(incl GST)

Miles Education is India's #1 CPA, CMA & CFA with presence across India, Middle East & US. Miles Education up-skills students & professionals to be future-ready with a career progression in Accounting & Finance.