The last article focused on a Career as Company secretary which holds great value and promises high level posts in all sectors involving Finance and Planning. Now let us know more about a similar career in Finance – Chartered Financial Analyst, which has a history of just 20 years, but reigns supreme in terms of Career prospects, remunera-tion and life.

ICFAI

The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), a non-profit organisa-tion, was established in 1984, with the objective of imparting high-quality training in finance and management to students, working executives and professionals in India. ICFAI launched the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program in 1985 and since then has been instrumental in developing a new cadre of finance professionals in India.

The Chartered Financial Analyst Program

1. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program was launched in 1985 and is well recognised by leading employers in India.

2. The Government of India (AICTE) recognises the CFA Program as a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Analysis.

3. It is a self-study programme and the Institute supplies study material to the enrolled students.

4. It is basically aimed at Financial Management and Analysis.

5. It gives an insight and understanding of corporate finance, investment management and financial services.

6. It is away from the basic myth about accounts - book-keeping, auditing and taxation.

7. It focuses to provide opportunities for future needs of the corporate sector, the investment industry and the financial sector.

1.Regular CFA Program

Duration: 3 years
Eligibility: Graduates in any discipline. Students appearing for final year examinations are also eligible.

2. Accelerated

CFA Program
Duration : 2 years
Eligibility: First Class Graduates, Postgraduates, Working Executives and Professionals like CA/CWA/CS/MBA/CAIIB.

CFA Program Levels

The CFA Program is divided into three levels i.e. preliminary level, inter level and the final level. The examinations for preliminary level are held four times in a year in the months of January, April, July and October whereas the same for inter and final level are held twice in a year in the months of January and July. The students are required to pass three levels in proper sequence. The three levels are: (a) Preliminary level; (b) Inter level; and (c) Final level.

Exemption

The MBAs, Post Graduate Diploma Holders in Management, CAs, CWAs, CSs, CAIIBs, First class graduates/post-graduates and senior executives with ten years of service in the public sector or the private sector can seek exemption from the admission test.

CFA Foundation Course

The institute has also designed a foundation course for degree college students who are interested in pursuing professional certification program such as CFA Program. The CFA Foundation Course covers topics on Financial Accounting, Micro-Economics, and Macro-Economics.

Eligibility : Degree and Engineering college students (any discipline).

How to enroll ?

The candidates who are successful in the admission test and those who are exempted from passing the admission test are enrolled for the Programme. A student is allowed a maximum period of three years to complete the preliminary level of the programme and a maximum period of seven years to complete the entire programme.

After Completion

On successful completion of the Programme, the candidates are awarded the degree and designation of Chartered Financial Analysts which is recognised in India and several other countries like USA, Japan, France, etc.

When to Apply?

The Institute advertises the Programme from time to time in leading national newspapers for the information of interested candidates. However, further details like fees, syllabi procedures etc, are available in the prospectus which may be obtained by sending a demand draft of Rs 150 in favour of the “ICFAI” from: The Admissions Officer (CFA), The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, Road No. 3 Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500034 or log on to www.icfai.org

Other Programs offered by ICFAI

1. CPA Program (The Certified Public Accountant Program)

2. C-RIM Program (The Certified Risk & Insurance Manager Program)

3. The CTM Program (The Certified Treasury Manager Program)

4. The CIB Program (The Certified Investment Banker Program)

5. The CPM Program (The Certified Portfolio Manager Program)
(International CIIA Qualification from ACIIA, London)

6. Global Strategic Management (GSM) Program
(In collaboration with Transworld University, USA)

Job Prospects

1. After successful completion of the CFA program, the CFA’s can look for good openings in India and abroad since ICFAI has been associated with many other International bodies and also recognised in many countries.

2. CFA’s get good managerial openings such as Fund Managers, Investment Managers, , Manager Hire Purchase, Manager Portfolio Management.

3. Great opportunities exist in the form of Financial Analysts , Investment advisors, Financial Consultants with many companies including mutual funds & hire purchase.

(The writer is a Career Counselor, MSWT and member, Institute of Career Guidance, United Kingdom)
Momin’ Students Welfare Trust,
# 214, United School Building,
Ilyasnagar, Bangalore – 560078.
www.mswt.org