Chartered Financial Analysis

The field that caters to the financial decisions and investment policies of big companies is called Chartered Financial Analysis and the specialized professionals that take these decisions are called Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA).  These professionals are well equipped to manage areas like accounting, finance and investment. CFAs are in great demand in the finance sector, particularly in financial institutions, banks, large corporations, and insurance companies. Financial Analysts assist organizations or individuals in planning to invest their hard-earned money in numerous investment options like stocks, bonds, and funds. Professionals who estimate and verify the competence and integrity of Financial Analysts are called Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA). 

Chartered Financial Analysts conduct quantitative analysis of information that affects the investment programs of public or private sector organizations. Supervising the developments in the areas related to industrial technology, finance, economic theory, and business is also a part of their portfolio. They carry out research that is quite useful for investors to make decisions. Also, these professionals examine a company's financial records, its projections, even its competitors to judge the quality of the investment if it is a smart one, or involves risk. Depending upon all the research and investigation that financial analysts do, they give recommendations to their clients. They advise banks, insurance companies and large investment groups. Some CFAs also work with firms as employees and deal with the investments for individual clients. 

Route to Chartered Financial Analysis profession 

• 10+ 2 in Commerce Stream (Preferred)  
• A Bachelor's degree in any subject (Commerce Preffered)
• Complete 3 levels of exams
• Have 4000 hours of professional work experience in a minimum of 36 months
• Become a member of CFA institute

Significant Statistics

Must fulfill the following conditions to become CFA:

• Possess a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
• Can be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree  
• Work experience can be accrued before, during or after the exams.
• Four years of professional work experience, or possess a combination of professional work and university experience equal to at least four years
• For regular membership of the CFA Institute (after passing all levels exams), the candidate must possess 4 years of professional work experience either before, while studying or after joining CFA program
• Must possess a passport
• Must qualify the three-level exams to acquire CFA program offered in a self-study format 
   

Pros

• Knowledge oriented profession
• Makes one efficient in business finance terminology
• Demand is quite high and a lot of respect is attached to the profession

Cons

• Time-consuming and very demanding field 
• Not a complete career; CFA is only an additional certification 
• Succeeding in exams demands a lot of patience