CFA® Program

Congratulations to the 50th Class

The CFA Program is a globally recognized, graduate level curriculum that provides a strong foundation of real-world investment analysis and portfolio management skills along with the practical knowledge you need in today’s investment industry. It also emphasizes the highest ethical and professional standards.

Each year, tens of thousands of candidates enroll in the CFA Program and sit for the exams in test centers all over the world. Completing the CFA Program confirms a mastery of the rigorous CFA curriculum, signifies passing all three exam levels, and is one of the requirements for earning the CFA charter.

Listen to what current charterholders have to say:

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Learn more about the CFA charter and the CFA Program (PDF).

How It Benefits Your Career

While most graduate school programs cover a broad range of topics, the CFA Program focuses specifically on investment knowledge, and the self-study format allows you to continue working full time as you progress towards earning the CFA charter.

Enrolled CFA Program candidates can take advantage of some of the same career resources we offer members — including a job board where employers search for charterholders (subscription), career events, and a career resources center.

CFA Institute also co-hosts career development conferences with member societies. Most conferences are open to CFA Program candidates and address career development, career management, and career transition topics.

See what charterholders have to say about the benefits of earning the charter (PDF).

View charterholder occupations by country and see the top employers.

Why Employers Notice

Employers recognize the CFA charter as a reliable way to differentiate the most qualified, up-to-date, and determined job applicants, frequently listing the CFA charter as a requirement for the position.

They know that the CFA Program provides the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and that earning the CFA charter demonstrates the persistence, flexibility, and hard work required of today’s investment professionals.

Additionally, because the CFA Program’s rigorous curriculum emphasizes principles common to every market, employers recognize that CFA charterholders have a broad investment perspective and an understanding of the global marketplace.

A Global Community

One of the most important components of this global community of CFA charterholders is the network of local member societies that work with both candidates and members in specific locations around the world.

In conjunction with the four regional offices of CFA Institute, the local CFA societies support charterholders throughout their careers by:

  • advocating for investment professionals and market fairness with regulatory bodies,
  • providing access to local professional networks, educational events and programming, and
  • developing globally and locally relevant job resources.