CFA: Scope & Relevance

CFA: Scope and Relevance

In today’s modern world, Chartered Finance Analyst (CFA) is a designation which is being appreciated by most as a key certification for professionals in the areas of portfolio management and research program.

  • The chartered financial analyst program is a certification which is being provided and affirmed by the CFA Institute. It is a certification which is globally regarded. What is essential in this program is SELF-STUDY by the candidates who are aspiring for professional certification at the graduate level and want to pursue their career in investment. 
  • A person who is well dedicated to academics only can pursue the CFA program. Undergraduates who want to boost up their careers at early stages of their degrees apply for this program, but one thing we should keep in mind is that it’s just a certification and not a guarantee.
  • Clearing all the three levels/exams of CFA itself is like you have won a world war III. 

Well, jokes apart it’s seriously a big task as compared to those other management programs, like the MBA where fewer efforts and commitment is required. Its a fact that there are many MBA pass outs and CA’s who join CFA to get into core investment banking jobs. CFA gives you ample of job opportunities and provides you with a broad scope.

So basically if one has to build his career in the field of finance then they should go for CFA as it focuses on ethics, portfolio management, accounting, corporate finance, fixed income, and equity investments. 

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Some of the job opportunities for CFA professionals are-

Portfolio Management:

As CFA has its focus on essentially training you on portfolio management skills, no candidates have to face any Barrier when it comes to this job. The role and responsibilities of this job are making financial/investment based decisions for people who have given control of their money to you or to your company.

Research Analyst:

Here the responsibility of a person is to analyze the financial transactions and records of the firm for its clients. He has to prepare his observations and primarily has an insight of what the client would want to know about the financial health of the organization in such a way that nothing pretty important is overlooked before making any strategic decisions. There are many other dignitaries too for this role within the organization, such as investment analyst, rating analyst, financial analyst, equity analyst, to name a few.

Consultant:

The role of a consultant is to provide suggestions and recommendations that will benefit the firm with professional advice. The CFA program covers corporate finance which will assist the professional to make alternative decisions and recommendations to the third party or the client satisfying their queries and requirements.

Accountant/Auditor:

The role and responsibilities of an auditor include keeping a track of all financial footprints and documents of the business or company that he is associated with.

Investment Banking Analyst:

The person has to keep a check on all the possible pit stops, analyze and evaluate all possibilities before any investment is made. The person has the responsibility of directing and making the firm aware of mergers and acquisitions. This task can be efficiently performed by any CFA pass out as the respective course has a section on corporate investment, equity investment, economics and more which prepares them to handle such requirements.

Above mentioned were just a few opportunities out of the many that a CFA professional can take advantage of if he/she wishes to pursue the CFA certification.

Conclusion:

So to conclude, it is not wrong to say that many organizations and individuals alike are getting highly interested in CFA, because the CFA certification will benefit the organization as well as the individual in revenue growth and career growth, it is perhaps why most organizations are also considering sending employees usually from the start up a level for this certification as the long-term advantages cannot be ignored.

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