CFA® charterholder career prospects
Stand out to employers when you earn the Chartered Financial Analyst® credential. Discover the difference the CFA designation could make in your career journey and find out more about the careers you could access in asset and wealth management, investment banking, commercial banking, and consulting.
Compensation levels
The average base salaries of CFA Institute members and CFA charterholders increased at a greater rate (year over year) than the rate of increase for the general market, according to the findings of the CFA Institute Compensation Study, 2024.
To find out how the CFA Program affects career progression in India, download the Impact Assessment of CFA Program in India report.
How the CFA charter compares to other credentials
The CFA designation is respected and valued around the world. Charterholders are known for demonstrating superior competency in advanced portfolio management, financial expertise, and technical skills, underpinned by ethical conduct and the highest standards of practice.
Here’s how the CFA charter compares to other respected credentials in the investment management industry.
| Aspect | CFA Program | MBA | CPA | CFP |
| Focus | Finance and investment | General business | Accounting | Financial planning |
| Duration | 3-4 years | 1-2 years full-time | Exam and experience requirements vary | 1-2 years |
| Cost | USD 3,520 - 4,570 (exam fees) | USD 50,000 - 200,000 + tuition | USD 1,500 - 3,000 (exam fees) | USD 3,000 - 6,000 (exam fees) |
Gain global recognition with a shareable badge
When you earn the CFA charter, you will receive a digital badge that shows your commitment to integrity, professionalism and continuous learning, and your role in building a strong and vibrant community of finance professionals. You can share this badge across your professional networks.
Skills that set you apart in global finance
CFA Program candidates learn three core groups of skills: analysis, asset class valuation, and money management. These skills vary in weight and complexity at each level of the curriculum.
Find out what you will learn at each level, and which job roles these skills qualify you to apply for:
What can you get from a Level I qualification?
Entry level finance roles
Financial analyst roles
Junior banker roles
Internships
Desk-ready skills
- Ethics codes and standards
- Statistics
- Time value of money
- Capital structures
- Industry research and analysis
- Equity analysis
- Currency markets
- Monetary and fiscal policy
Asset classes knowledge
Currency markets
Major asset classes
Bond mathematics
Credit analysis
Money management fundamentals
Risk management
Company risk factors
Portfolio management
Interest and credit risks
Business cycles
Investment career paths
The financial system offers a variety of people-facing roles that provide services to facilitate successful saving and investing for both individuals and companies. Explore below to discover finance industry and investment management jobs for CFA charterholders.
Your career opportunities
Portfolio management
Research
Consulting
Risk analysis and risk management
Your typical investment management sectors
Asset management
Private wealth management
Commercial banking
Investment banking
Insurance
Level III specialized pathways
For the Level III exams, we have introduced specialized pathways:
Private wealth
Private markets
Portfolio management
Each pathway shares a core curriculum, supplemented by specialized content. You can select a pathway that directly relates to your interests and enhances your career prospects in a specific area.
Frequently asked questions
There are three main types of finance jobs that a CFA charterholder might do. Quantitative and analytical roles (including Data Analyst and Forex Currency Trader), client-facing roles (such as Private Wealth Manager), and transaction-focused roles (including Investment Banker, Stockbroker, and Chief Investment Officer). CFA charterholders can be found in a variety of roles across the world Learn more about investment industry career paths.
By completing all three levels of the CFA Program, you can become a CFA charterholder. This professional designation demonstrates a strong understanding of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. With the CFA charter, you could obtain higher compensation levels than the general market (according to the CFA Institute Compensation Study, 2024) and open opportunities to investment career paths.
Yes. We offer specialized pathways for the Level III exam, so you can choose a path that aligns with your interests and career aspirations: Private Wealth, Private Markets, or Portfolio Management. Each pathway shares a core curriculum, supplemented by specialized content. Learn more about Level III specialized pathways.
The CFA designation is a globally recognized mark of distinction and is highly sought after by top financial institutions. In fact, the CFA charter is preferred by nearly 90% of executive and senior level investment management positions.
CFA® Program
- Credential - 3 levels / 3 exams
- Advanced level
- 300 hours per level
- Self-paced online learning
- Learning materials included
- Associate membership eligibility
