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The Gold Standard for the Investment Profession

First awarded in 1963, the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter is the designation of professional excellence within the global investment community. The CFA Program offers a truly global educational challenge where you'll build a fundamental knowledge of investment principles that is relevant in every market around the world.
The self-study graduate-level program meets the needs of today’s busy professionals. The program combines a broad-based course of study with professional conduct requirements. Employers and investors know the CFA charter is the definitive standard for measuring portfolio management and investment analysis competence and integrity.
The CFA designation represents a commitment to professional excellence. The CFA charter is a designation awarded to investment professionals having successfully completed and passed three comprehensive and rigorous examinations over a minimum 2.5 year period. To earn the CFA designation, candidates must also have at least three years of professional investment experience and comply with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. It is obligatory for candidates to be a member of CFA Institute, and the affiliate society in order to obtain and hold the CFA designation.

Benefits

• International Recognition — Employers and media around the world praise the CFA designation.
• Credibility — Clients and colleagues regard you with a presumption of expertise.
• Respect — Your efforts connect you with the prestige of existing charterholders.
• Competitive Advantage — Employers and clients require professionals who demonstrate competence in implementing international investment strategies.
• Knowledge with a Global Perspective — A practice analysis is conducted every five years to determine a globally relevant, broad-based curriculum.
• Connections — When you earn the CFA designation, you'll join the more than 69,000 charterholders around the world who are active investment professionals with senior responsibility.