Chartered Financial Analysts may be required to work as finance, investment or research analyst with investment banks, mutual funds, hedge funds, commercial banks, insurers, brokerage houses etc. Equity analysts who research company stocks and give recommendations of buy or sell are also in demand. Credit analysts who rate credit worthiness of different companies are also sought after. Opportunities are also available for independent work as investment advisors and consultants. Valuation experts are also in great demand.

CFAs are the need of the hour especially those having analytical and integrative skills, technical and functional skills and integrity and ethical leaderships. The driving force of the CFA programme is on enhancing the skills of the students to enable them to build successful careers in the allied field. CFA is considered to be the best qualification in the finance sector as this programme is investment focused. Employers today are relying more on executives possessing additional qualifications, preferably accreditations such as CFAs.

There is no end as far as opportunities are concerned for CFAs; openings exist across all the sectors of financial markets: Credit, debt, foreign exchange, money and capital. Employment opportunities are available with investment banks, private equity companies, KPOs, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, mutual funds, wealth management firms, rating agencies, equity research firms, consultancy firms, pension funds, foundations, investment companies, research firms, insurers, personal financial planners, wealth managers, universities, colleges etc. The Government, regulatory agencies, commodity exchanges and stock exchanges also provide openings.

Phenomenal changes have taken place on the business and economy front, post economic liberalization and globalization. Understanding the developments such as interest rates volatility, fluctuating exchange rates, high levels of inflation, oil prices, subprime crisis, carbon credits, securitization, risk management, structured financial products. Derivatives are must for the finance and investment professionals of tomorrow. The finance function has gained in significance as global markets have become demanding in terms of performance and disclosure requirements.

Candidates should appreciate the magnitude and dimension of the changes taking place in the financial environment. The CFA programme believes in developing twenty first century finance professionals and this requires three types of skills- basic, application and integrative. The programme recognizes the need for imparting additional inputs as future careers are certain to place analytical skills and integrative skills at a premium.

The minimum requirement for pursuing CFA
A graduate in any discipline with 45% and above marks is eligible to seek admission to the programme. The duration of the programme is 24 months. The programme is also available in the accelerated mode for CAs, CWAs, CSs and MBAs with finance as the major. MBAs should have secured 70% marks or CGPA of 7 with a minimum of four finance elective subjects. The duration of the programme is 12 months. The CFA programme is developed to cater to the present and future needs of the investment industry. The programme has five focus areas- financial markets, analysis and valuation, portfolio management, mutual and other funds and code of conduct.

The programme is divided into six groups, each group consisting of two subjects. Waivers are available in certain subjects for students with prior professional qualification. The programme is based on study and examination with 3600 flexibility for students. The students can attend training classes on optional basis. ICFAI University also offers dual degree programmes such as CFA-MSF, CPA-CFA and MBA-CFA.

Remuneration- An average salary will be Rs.3 Lakh per year and then it goes up.

(HT Horizons)