Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Course Overview:

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program is a globally recognized professional qualification for finance and investment professionals. It covers key topics such as ethics, portfolio management, equity, fixed income, and financial analysis across three levels of rigorous exams.

Syllabus (Semester-wise):

The CFA program is structured across three levels rather than semesters, and each level has its own syllabus.

Level 1: CFA Level I

  • Ethical and Professional Standards

  • Quantitative Methods

  • Economics

  • Financial Reporting and Analysis

  • Corporate Finance

  • Equity Investments

  • Fixed Income

  • Derivatives

  • Alternative Investments

  • Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

Level 2: CFA Level II

  • Ethical and Professional Standards

  • Quantitative Methods

  • Economics

  • Financial Reporting and Analysis

  • Corporate Finance

  • Equity Investments

  • Fixed Income

  • Derivatives

  • Alternative Investments

  • Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

In CFA Level II, the emphasis is on the application of concepts, with a focus on valuation techniques and industry analysis.

Level 3: CFA Level III

  • Ethical and Professional Standards

  • Economics

  • Fixed Income

  • Equity Investments

  • Derivatives

  • Alternative Investments

  • Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

CFA Level III emphasizes portfolio management and wealth planning, focusing on integrating all the skills learned throughout the program.

Duration:

The CFA program typically takes 2.5 to 4 years to complete, depending on how quickly a candidate clears each level. Candidates must also have at least four years of relevant work experience to earn the CFA designation.

Average Fees:

The average fee for the CFA program, including registration, study materials, and exams, is around INR 3 to 4 lakhs.

Exams to Attend:

  • CFA Level I Exam

  • CFA Level II Exam

  • CFA Level III Exam

The exams are held twice a year for Level I and once a year for Levels II and III.

Ten Most Ranking Institutions Combined Ranking in India:

  1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad

  2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore

  3. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta

  4. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

  5. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai

  6. EduPristine, Mumbai

  7. National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), Navi Mumbai

  8. Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad

  9. The CFA Institute Approved Prep Providers (Various Locations in India)

  10. Jagdish Sheth School of Management, Bangalore

Top Ten Institutions in Kerala:

  1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode

  2. Logic School of Management, Cochin

  3. Lakshya CFA Campus, Cochin

  4. Inspire Academy, Calicut

  5. Cochin Stock Exchange Institute Ltd., Cochin

  6. Pinnacle Academy, Thiruvananthapuram

  7. Shankar CFA Academy, Thrissur

  8. KS Academy, Ernakulam

  9. TICS Institute, Kollam

  10. Coral CFA College, Thrissur