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March 11, 2025
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The CAIA® designation is recognized globally as the benchmark for analysis, application, and standards of practice in the alternative investments arena. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what the CAIA designation is, what an alternative investment analyst does, how you can become a CAIA charterholder, and what you can do with the designation.
The CAIA Charter, offered by CAIA Association®, is the globally-recognized credential for professionals who manage, analyze, distribute, or regulate alternative investments such as hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and real estate. By completing the CAIA program, you will become a Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM and join a growing community of 9,000 professionals in over 80 countries. Not only that, but also you’ll be making a significant investment in your career.
An alternative investment analyst manages, analyzes, distributes, or regulates real assets (e.g., real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, commodities, intangible assets), hedge funds, private equity, and structured products (e.g., collateralized debt obligations and credit derivatives). Alternative investment analysts work in hedge funds, private practices and firms, investment management firms, companies, foundations and trusts, colleges and universities, pensions, and state and local governments—just to name a few.
Not all alternative investment analysts have earned the CAIA designation. However, many CAIA charterholders agree that it sets you apart in the world of alternative investments.
For anyone who wants to be an alternative investment analyst, the future is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial analyst jobs, which include alternative investment analysts, are expected to grow at a rate of 11 percent from 2016–2026. In addition, the salaries for these positions are quite encouraging. According to PayScale, salaries can range from $44,946–$119,264, with the average being $64,146.
To earn the CAIA designation, you must complete the following:
Take and pass both levels of the CAIA exam. There are no degree or work requirements for taking the exam.
Earn or finish earning a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and have at least 1 year of professional experience or complete a minimum of 4 years of professional experience without a degree.
Join CAIA Association (which costs $350 USD and requires you to abide by their terms and conditions).
Submit two professional references to CAIA Association.
In our article about how to earn the CAIA designation, you can take a closer look at the requirements.
Many of the titles held by those with the CAIA designation appear at first to be the same as those of CFA® charterholders and other financial certifications or degrees. The difference is the investments they analyze or manage and where they work. These are some of the most common job roles for CAIA charterholders:
Investment analyst: Analyzes investment risk and return data, conducts performance attribution, carries out peer benchmarking, and performs investment operations tasks.
Portfolio manager: Oversees an investment fund or group of funds, making informed decisions for their clients based on expert insight and experience.
Investment manager: Administers clients’ funds, pooling their money into long-term investment strategies, including alternative assets.
Credit structurer: Blends or repackages financial assets and complex transactions in the credit area (also an alternative investment).
Managing director or senior vice president: Is responsible for the performance of their firms as determined by their board of directors and C-level executives.
Chief-level executive: Makes the strategic decisions that drive the success and the direction of the organization. Chief-level executive positions held by those with the CAIA designation can include chief information officer (CIO), chief financial officer (CFO), and senior investment officer.
Although a CAIA designation is no guarantee you’ll land a management position or a spot in the C-suite, a significant percentage of CAIA charterholders have worked their way up to these levels. You can explore these positions and others in more detail in this article about what you can do with the CAIA designation.
If you’re wondering if earning the CAIA designation is right for you, check out these reasons why you should pursue this charter. When you’re ready to get started, Kaplan Schweser has CAIA exam prep study packages to increase your odds of success!
Learn about what a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst is.
Free eBook: Before You Decide to Sit for the CAIA Exam
Seek expert guidance from CAIA Charterholders to ensure exam success.
Free eBook: CAIA Fundamentals
Explore detailed breakdowns of CAIA Program curriculum topics.
CAIAA does not endorse, promote, review or warrant the accuracy of the products or services offered by Kaplan Schweser, nor does it endorse any pass rates claimed by the provider. CAIAA is not responsible for any fees or costs paid by the user to Kaplan Schweser, nor is it responsible for any fees or costs of any person or entity providing any services to Kaplan Schweser. CAIA®, CAIA Association®, Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association®, FDP®, FDPI®, and Financial Data Professional Institute® are service marks and trademarks owned by CHARTERED ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ANALYST ASSOCIATION, INC., a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation with its principal place of business at Amherst, Massachusetts, and are used by permission. Kaplan Schweser's exam preparation products are not available to residents of countries or regions subject to technology or economic and/or trade sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) or other authorities including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Ukraine (Crimea Region).