Your Complete Guide to the CFA Course in 2024

Chartered Financial Analyst is a valuable finance certification. After successfully meeting all of the requirements, students receive this certification from the CFA Institute. This certification validates their eligibility and provides access to global recognition for jobs related to finance. Do you want to pursue future jobs in finance or management? Doing a CFA course can be the key. This article will let you know all the essential things you need to know regarding this certification, including its cost, course details, eligibility, study resources, and so on. Let's delve in!

Key Takeaways

• CFA Course in 2024

• CFA Eligibility

• CFA Exam Course

CFA Syllabus

CFA is a finance course that trains students in various areas. Below are the subjects you’ll need to study for this course for the best CFA mastery in ethical and professional standards:

• Finance
• Financial statement analysis
• Portfolio Management
• Ethics
• Derivative
• Economics
• Fixed Income
• Quantitative Methods
• Corporate Issuers
• Asset Allocation
• Corporate Finance
• Equity Investments
• Alternative Investments

You must study all of these topics as part of the extensive CFA syllabus. So, make sure you choose the right course and study resources to better understand them.

CFA Eligibility: What Are the Requirements You Must Know

To gain this prominent designation, candidates need to pass the CFA exam. This exam has three levels. These are:

• CFA Level 1
• CFA Level 2
• CFA Level 3

To successfully complete the course and become a CFA, you must pass all three levels. The CFA course duration is approximately 1.5 years, during which time you must complete the course and obtain the certification.

The following are the students' CFA eligibility criteria

• Candidates must have their graduation degree in hand or be in their last year.
• Four years of minimum working experience are mandatory.
• Students must have a minimum of four years of professional and knowledge experience.

The CFA Examination has three levels and study hours.

The CFA examination has three levels. The subjects get more critical and advanced with each passing level

Below is a table that clearly breaks down the differences between all three levels and what they comprise:

Points of Distinction	Level I	Level II	Level III
Level Requirement	Meet the CFA course enrollment requirements.	Pass level 1 and meet CFA course enrollment requirements.	Clear the level II CFA exam and fulfill the CFA course enrollment requirements.
Questions Format	Multiple-choice questions	Vignette-supported multiple-choice questions	Vignette-supported essay questions and multiple-choice questions
Exam Results Availability	Once you've taken the exam and completed the Practical Skills Module,	After 5-7 weeks of taking the exam and completing your Practical Skills Module,	After 6–8 weeks from the exam
Approximate Duration	2 135-minute sessions.	4 hours, 24 minutes. It consists of two different sections lasting 2 hours and 12 minutes.	4 hours, 24 minutes. It consists of two different sections lasting 2 hours and 12 minutes.

The CFA Institute recommends an average of 300 hours of study per exam level for the CFA program.

How much are the CFA exam course fees?

The CFA course fees can vary depending on when you register. You must make all fee payments in US dollars. Here is an approximate range of CFA course fees: 

• Early registration fee

If you register early, you will have to pay USD 940. This fee is applicable for all three examination levels.

• Standard registration fee

The standard registration fee will be around USD 1250. It also applies to all three levels of the exam.

• One-Time Enrollment Fee

Excluding the above costs, you need to pay USD 350 to enroll in the program and its first level. This fee will not be applicable to the other two consecutive levels.

• Rescheduling Fee

If the exam is rescheduled within the exam window, you will be required to pay a sum of USD 250.

You can check out the different payment methods the CFA Institute offers.

Taking up best CFA Course in India: What You Need to Know

Below are the steps to becoming a CFA chartholder:

• Clear CFA Exams: To obtain the CFA charter, you must pass a three-part examination. In addition, you should qualify and understand the practical skills module in order to become a CFA.
• Achieve Work Experience: You need to complete the work experience requirements before, during, or after the CFA curriculum. Your work experience needs to be relevant to your field.
• Provide Reference Letters: You need to provide two or more references that comment on your work performance or skills. They must also reveal your professional characteristics.
• Apply to Become a Chartholder: After passing the exam, gaining the necessary work experience, and submitting reference letters, you have to apply to become a chartholder at CFA Institute. Once the institute approves your application, you will become a member.

Chartered Financial Analyst: Tools, Resources, Study Materials & Mock test

If you want to study well, measure your performance, and improve your weaker areas before you sit for the CFA exams, creating a study plan and having access to the best study materials are essential. You can prepare for the CFA exams through various methods.

• The CFA Institute Website is the most valid resource from which you can get CFA course details, practice questions, mock papers, registration tools, and study materials to get ready for the CFA exams. All students who have registered for the CFA course can access these offerings for free.
• Kaplan Schweser: Kaplan Schweser offers core study tools for students, helping them to prepare for the CFA exams. They offer question banks, quizzes, a resource library, and e-books that cover all three levels of the exam. You can also analyze your performance and compare it with that of other candidates on the platform.
• 300 Hours: You can get access to the CFA mock exams and online practice questions for all 3 levels that are similar to the actual examination. To can check out the top tips for passing all three exam levels to maximize your chances of passing the exams on the first attempt.
• UWorld is a digital learning platform that provides practice questions to help you pass the CFA exam. The practice questions contain detailed explanations to help you prepare well for the exams. You can also make notes on the well-reviewed study materials.
• Salt Solutions: Salt Solutions offers students free access to mock papers for all three levels of the CFA exam. Their detailed videos, recorded lectures, and study notes allow you to learn and study at your convenience during flexible hours.
• Digital Communities and Forums: Look for online communities or forums where you can communicate with other CFA candidates. These online groups offer a convenient way to clarify your doubts, seek support, and share your experiences with different people.

You can find CFA exam mock tests and practice papers on the CFA Institute's official website, various prep providers like Kaplan Schweser and Wiley, and forums like Analyst Forum.

CFA Program Jobs

Numerous sectors value the expertise of CFA professionals. After obtaining this certification, you can gain employment in:

• Trade
• Hedge Funds
• Capital Markets
• Risk Management
• Wealth Management
• Assets Management
• Portfolio Management
• Quantitative analytics
• Investment banking M&A
• Corporate Banking Company
• Financial Planning

Conclusion

The CFA course is indeed tough. But, with the right approach and support from experienced mentors, you can crack this complex examination. This will streamline your preparation process. There are many free CFA courses out there that you can use to study for the course. 

However, these materials might be inaccurate or outdated. So, make sure you choose the right course provider to help you become an expert in the course, gain the essential skillset, and land high-paying jobs.

NorthStar Academy could be your best bet. We offer best-in-class study materials to help you prepare, and qualified mentors are by your side to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to pass the CFA course.

 You can study online from anywhere depending on your availability, record our training sessions, and interact with peers and mentors to receive assistance at every stage. So, enroll in our course to take the first step towards boosting your career globally. For more information, feel free to contact us directly on WhatsApp!