India Career Accelerator Program
Elevate your professional skills and unlock opportunities for a successful career in finance.
India Career Accelerator Program is designed to equip CFA® Program candidates with essential job-ready skills, providing them with a competitive advantage in the finance and investment management industry. In addition to receiving comprehensive training, the initiative will connect participants with employers for potential employment opportunities and provide a certificate of completion, recognizing the commitment to professional growth.
Overview
Employers value the CFA Program curriculum for its depth and rigor, recognizing it as an asset in the financial industry. Candidates who have completed or are pursuing the CFA Program are eager to find career opportunities that align with their skills and knowledge. To connect the two, we have developed the India Career Accelerator Program.
Program highlights:
- Practical learning: Gain hands-on experience and essential technical and soft skills.
- Internship opportunity: Participants will be eligible for stipend-paying internship opportunities with Mercer and other partner institutions, upon successful completion of the bootcamp.
- Foster connections: Network with industry professionals.
- Certificate of completion: Showcase your commitment and expertise.
There are no charges to apply or participate in the program. The India Career Accelerator Program is designed for ambitious individuals who are passionate about their careers in finance. If this describes you, apply now!
How to apply:
- Before you begin your application, please keep the following ready:
- Academic and professional details
- One page resume (word or pdf format)
- Prepare your response to the following topics, required as part of your application (It is recommended to use your personal experiences and focus on specifics rather than generic statements while writing the SOPs.):
- What makes you an ideal candidate for this program (Be specific and share personal views in not more than 200 words)
- Share details of an experience (personal or professional) which had a significant impact on your personality, thoughts or goals (not more than 100 words)
Selection process:
- Completed applications with resumes will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview round.
- Candidates selected after the interview round will be offered a seat in the program.
Details
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to participate in the program:
- Indian citizen
- Minimum CFA Level I candidate
- At least a graduate, with preference to Commerce, Business Administration, or Finance specialization
- Available to attend the boot camp from Monday to Friday for six weeks, and to work as a full-time intern at firm premises for 3–6 months post the boot camp
The following applicants are eligible:
- CFA Level I exam (candidate)
- CFA Level I exam (pass)
- CFA Level II exam (candidate)
- CFA Level II exam (pass)
- CFA Level IIII exam (candidate)
- CFA Level III exam (pass)
Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 120 hours to this initiative during the bootcamp. Synchronous (instructor-led) sessions will primarily be held from Monday to Friday, and attendance is mandatory for all sessions.
Updates regarding your program participation status will be shared via email in the second week of January 2026.
| Milestones | Timelines |
| Application opens | 17 November 2025 |
| Application deadline | 5 December 2025 |
| Bootcamp start | 19 January 2026 |
| Bootcamp end | 27 February 2026 |
The program modules will be delivered via:
- asynchronous modules hosted on learning management systems;
- synchronous modules delivered via Zoom and led by professional trainers; and
- interactive networking sessions with industry professionals.
Most, if not all, modules will include assessments, and participants are required to secure a minimum passing score (typically 70%) in each.
Selected participants from the batch will be eligible for stipend-paying internship opportunities at Mercer and other supporting firms upon successful completion of the boot camp.
To qualify for an internship, participants must have:
- 100% attendance during the boot camp;
- completed all training modules, assignments and assessments (minimum 70% passing marks); and
- passed company background checks upon selection.
About Internships
- Internships will commence from March 2026 onwards, with positions available across various functions at the partnering organizations.
- Internship selections are made at the discretion of employers and CFA Institute, and participants do not have a choice of company, role, or location.
- Internships will require working from the office location and will not be remote.
What you will learn
The program will feature six technical modules and four soft skills modules.
Technical modules
Gain insight into the investment industry with a comprehensive overview. Dive into macro- and microeconomics; explore industry participants; delve into money markets, fixed income, derivatives, and alternative investments; and master risk and portfolio management.
Uncover the significance of financial reporting and illuminate the guidelines, distinctions, and applications of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Grasp the fundamental concepts of income and expense recognition.
Acquire a structured approach to model building. Learn the ins and outs of industry and financial statement analysis, understand revenue and cost drivers, conduct cash flow analysis, delve into valuation techniques, and build industry-specific models. Plus, explore sensitivity analysis to gain a holistic view.
Dive into the realm of credit analysis. Explore fixed-income securities, securitization, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, real estate, private credit, and credit ratings.
Learn about the significance and challenges of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions. Gain expertise in key concepts, management, and an in-depth understanding of various types of ESG factors.
Soft skills modules
- Introduction to effective communication and verbal and nonverbal communication
- Professional writing and effective listening and speaking
- Presentation skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication styles and beliefs
Understand the nuances of managing your time more effectively.
- Introduction
- Session objectives
- What is time management?
- Benefits of time management
- Eisenhower matrix
- Time management techniques
- Goal setting
- Dealing with procrastination
Our networking sessions are invaluable platforms for connecting with industry experts and expanding your professional network. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to engage with seasoned professionals, gain insight into current trends, and exchange ideas with like-minded peers. With a diverse community of professionals, you'll have the chance to forge meaningful relationships that can open doors to new opportunities and perspectives in the investment industry. Embrace these sessions as an integral part of your professional development journey.
Why should you sign-up?
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Live learning
We value hands-on human interaction where training demands it. Our synchronous online sessions are expertly designed to enhance the learning experience.
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Dynamic modes of delivery
We use real-life examples, such as Excel models, case studies, and prerecorded videos, to deliver a thorough understanding of key concepts. Live practice sessions enable participants to apply their knowledge in real time, guided by expert instructors.
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Individual assessment
After completing each module, participants will receive individual assignments that will be assessed by both peers and subject matter experts.
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Job ready skills
Gain practical skills and proficiencies that prepare you to excel in a professional work environment.
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Paid internship opportunities
Selected participants will be eligible for stipend-paying internship opportunities after successfully completing the boot camp.
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Industry network access
Connect with a network of investment management professionals to foster career growth, share knowledge, and explore business opportunities.
Testimonials from participants
The India Career Accelerator Program helped me connect my accounting background to practical financial analysis and view businesses from an investor's perspective. The sessions were insightful, and peer learning made the experience engaging and realistic.
The structured mix of live and portal-based learning made concepts easy to grasp and apply. It helped me connect my CFA Program learnings to real-world scenarios, while the communication and networking sessions added immense professional value.
It provided me with job-ready professional skills essential in the investment analysis and management industry. Peer forums connected me with diverse professionals, and live trainer sessions made advanced concepts practical and engaging. It sharpened my analytical skills with Excel tools and mocks, boosting my confidence in investment analysis and CFA Level II exam readiness.
The program helped me assess whether I could pursue a new direction at this stage in my career. The content was informative and easy to follow, and guidance from lecturers throughout made the experience truly rewarding. I feel like a more confident professional now.
Contact us
For any further information, please write to [email protected].