CFA^® Charterholder Career Information

• Is Being An Investment Banker Difficult?
• Job Responsibilities
• Job Skills
• How To Start An Investment Banker Career
• Top Companies In The Field
• Salary Ranges
• Benefits Of Becoming a CFA

What Is Investment Banking?

What is an Investment Banker?

Investment Banker Responsibilities

Investment bankers are ultimately responsible for the success of their clients. In some roles, they take on many responsibilities while others specialize in one or two specific areas. All positions are responsible for raising money for their clients primarily through issuing debt and selling equity in capital markets. 

Debt Capital Markets

Both the CFA Program and an MS in Financial Analysis provide deep specialty knowledge in investment analysis and management. The MBA, on the other hand, typically offers broad exposure to business topics required to manage companies. If you are interested in starting a career as an investment analyst or manager, you will need specialty knowledge such as that provided by the CFA and/or MS in Financial Analysis programs.

“The most frequent question I would hear when I was on the leadership teams of the CFA Institute and AACSB was, “Should I get a CFA or MBA if I want to be an investment manager?” My answer was always that it depends and that the decision is a little more complex. Another viable option that has become very popular in the past decade is a specialized Master’s in Finance, such as an MS in Financial Analysis (MSFA).” - Tom Robinson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, CFA

• CFA Charter Overview
• MS in Financial Analysis Overview
• CFA vs. MSFA
• Should You Do Both the CFA and an MSFA?

CFA Charter Overview 

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program is a professional certification program for those working in or interested in working in the investment industry. Most holders of the CFA designation work as financial analysts or portfolio managers. The core topics covered by the CFA Program are:

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Quantitative Methods
• Economics
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Equity Investments
• Fixed Income
• Derivatives
• Alternative Investments
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

Considering the CFA charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

CFA Levels

The CFA program is designed to be self-study with a digital curriculum and a series of three examinations (Level I, Level II, and Level III). There are no faculty or instructors in the CFA program. However, many candidates seek to take additional classes, either graduate classes or CFA exam prep classes, to help them prepare for the exams rather than study on their own. 

The level I examination focuses on investment tools such as ethics, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, and corporate finance. This level is primarily testing knowledge and comprehension. The level II examination focuses on asset valuation and your ability to apply knowledge and analyze securities. The level III examination focuses primarily on portfolio management and your ability to synthesize knowledge, evaluate investments, and build appropriate investment portfolios for individual or institutional clients.

Requirements to Enter the CFA Program

Because the CFA is a certification program rather than a degree program, the requirements to enter the program are fairly basic. The screening of CFA charter candidates occurs throughout the 3-4 years of examinations rather than in the entry requirements. 

The requirements to enter the CFA Program are as follows: 

• You must have completed a bachelor’s program or equivalent from a college or university.
• OR be an undergraduate bachelor’s program student with 11 months or fewer before graduation (you must complete the bachelor’s program before you are permitted to sit for the Level II examination).
  
• OR have a combination of 4,000 hours of paid work experience and/or higher education. This must have been acquired over a minimum of three sequential years. The work experience does not need to be in investments to begin the program, but relevant work experience will be required to be able to use the CFA designation.

You must also have a valid international passport (the only acceptable form of identification for CFA candidates), be willing to take the examinations in English, attest to having no professional conduct issues (ethical breaches), and live in a participating country (all but four countries/territories globally).

Requirements to Earn the CFA Charter

Once enrolled in the program, there are specific requirements to earn the CFA charter. You must complete each level in order. You must pass the Level I examination before progressing to Level II and must pass Level II before progressing to Level III. To use the CFA® designation after your name you must pass all three levels, have the required number of years of relevant experience, adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct of CFA Institute and become and remain a member of CFA Institute. 

CFA exam pass rates for each level vary Since you must pass them in order, the cumulative pass rate is less than 10% if you did not retake any exams. Many people who fail a particular level choose to try again, so about 20% of those who start the program complete all three levels and earn the CFA designation. On average, this takes over 1,000 hours of study and about 3-4 years. 

The work experience required to use the CFA designation is at least four years of full-time work experience, where at least 50% of the work involves the investment decision-making process.

Read Next: How to Become a CFA Charterholder

Benefits of Becoming a CFA Charterholder 

There are several benefits of becoming a CFA Charterholder. The student gains in-depth, specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities in financial analysis and investment management. Other benefits of earning the CFA include:

• The CFA designation is recognized globally.
• Some hiring announcements for investment positions say “prefer CFA” or “CFA required.”
• You become a member of a global organization and can optionally join a local CFA Society for networking and further learning opportunities.
• CFA Institute and local CFA Societies Compensation surveys have found that CFA Charterholders have higher median compensation than non-CFA Charterholders.

Continue Reading: Is the CFA Worth It?

MS in Financial Analysis Overview

A Master of Science (MS) in Finance, a Master of Science (MS) in Financial Analysis, and other similar specialized programs, are graduate degree programs offered by colleges and universities. Typically, an MS in Financial Analysis program provides advanced study in financial analysis and investment management, preparing students for careers as financial analysts or portfolio managers. These programs typically include ten  graduate courses (30 graduate semester hours).

The Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA) program at the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company is an online format program. In this program students will learn:

• Economic analysis utilized in investment decision making
• Financial statement analysis
• Quantitative methods and analysis beneficial to financial analysis
• The investment environment, including financial markets, institutions, and the investing process
• Corporate finance
• Security analysis and valuation
• Alternative investments, derivatives, and risk management
• Advanced portfolio management
• Professional standards and ethics in the investments industry

These topics are covered in the MSFA program’s ten required courses:

• FINA515 – The Financial System, Markets and Instruments
• FINA525 – Quantitative Methods
• ECON535 – Economics for Financial Analysis
• ACCT545 – Financial Statement Analysis
• ACCT550 – Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
• FINA565 – Security Analysis and Valuation
• FINA575 – Corporate Finance
• FINA585 – Derivatives and Alternative Investments
• FINA595 – Portfolio Management
• FINA650 – Financial Analysis Capstone

Each course is led by highly qualified faculty who support the students throughout the course. The College for Financial Planning’s MSFA program can be completed in under two years on a part-time basis. The courses include ample opportunities for experiential learning with weekly discussion questions and frequent case studies. The first nine courses provide in-depth content in specific areas of knowledge needed to practice financial analysis and investment management. 

The Financial Analysis Capstone course brings all of this together in a project-based format where you apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the first nine courses to solve real life cases. You’ll perform economic and industry analysis, analyze companies, value companies, and make an investment recommendation. This course also covers the ethical issues involved in all these areas using the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Requirements to Earn an MS in Financial Analysis

Selectivity in a graduate degree program occurs at the entry level when you apply for the program and within each of the ten courses. To be accepted into the MSFA program at the College for Financial Planning, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have a  bachelor’s degree in any major from an institution accredited by one of six accrediting agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher.
• Have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, or statistics from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Have a graduate degree in major from an accredited institution.
• Have a  bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited institution and a GRE or GMAT score at or above the 50th percentile

Additionally, if your native language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency with a minimum score of 85 on the TOEFL exam.

Once admitted to the program, you must complete all ten courses to earn the degree with a grade in each of “C” or higher. Some courses require other courses in the program as prerequisites, with the Financial Analysis Capstone being the final class. Students who have previously completed graduate-level coursework elsewhere may be able to apply some of those credits to the MSFA program.

Benefits of Earning an MS in Financial Analysis

There are several benefits to a graduate degree program such as the MSFA:

• The student gains in-depth, specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities in financial analysis and investment management.
• Graduate degrees from accredited institutions are recognized by employers and other educational institutions.
• Some hiring/job position posting for investment positions require a graduate degree.
• Compensation studies show higher median earnings for graduate degrees relative to undergraduate degrees.
• Once you have earned a degree, it is yours to keep. It does not need to be renewed each year through continued future membership and/or dues payments.
• Interactive classes provide networking with students with similar interests.

CFA Charter vs. MS in Financial Analysis: How They Compare

Both the CFA designation and an MS in Financial Analysis provide in-depth specialist knowledge in financial analysis and investment management. Which one is right for you, or should you consider both? Here’s what you need to know about the CFA vs. MSFA.

CFA vs. MSFA: Program Costs

The cost of the CFA Program can vary depending on how many times you take each exam, when you enroll and which CFA prep courses you use. Including CFA prep, you’re looking at a range of 6,000 - $10,000 for passing all three exams. Passing the examinations does not confer the CFA charter. You must become and remain a member of the CFA Institute. 

CFA Institute also has annual dues to remain a member. If you live in an area with a local CFA society, you may have additional local society dues. 

Another potential cost is continuing education. CFA Institute recommends –  but does not require – 20 hours of continuing education per year, some of which is provided by CFA Institute and local societies (some free and some for a fee).

For the MSFA Program at the College for Financial Planning, the following costs are incurred by a typical learner:

There are no ongoing costs after graduation. Once you earn a degree, it is yours to keep with no required membership dues or continuing education fees.

CFA vs. MSFA: Program Durations 

The CFA examinations are now offered more frequently than in the past, and it is possible to pass all three exams in as little as 18 months. The average time reported by CFA Institute, however, is four years. Each exam requires about 300 hours of study, and if you retake at least one exam, you should expect to invest about 1,200 hours over three to four years to complete your exams. If you do not have the required four years of work experience, it may take longer to be able to use the CFA designation after your name.

The MSFA program is offered in five eight-week terms each year. If you take one course each term, it would take just under two years to complete the program. Typical study time for graduate courses varies by both course and the individual and is likely to be 10 to 20 hours per week in an eight-week term. Assuming a 15-hour per week average this, for ten courses, you are looking at approximately 1,200 hours of study, about the same as the CFA program. The degree would be conferred upon successful completion of the ten required courses.

Is the CFA Equivalent to a Master’s Degree?

Since both the CFA Program and an MSFA require an undergraduate degree in most cases and require about the same total amount of study, the CFA is generally considered to be equivalent to a master’s degree. The CFA Institute has had independent benchmarking performed and finds the CFA designation is comparable to a master’s degree in the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, India, Singapore, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, and France.

CFA vs. MSFA: Career Prospects 

Career prospects are strong for both the CFA Designation and MSFA degree holders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• The 2021 median pay of Financial Analysts was $81,410 per year with at least a Bachelor’s degree. The growth in the number of financial analyst jobs from 2020 to 2030 is expected to be about 6%.
• The 2021 median pay for Personal Financial Advisors was $94,170 per year, with about 5% growth in the number of jobs through 2030.
• The 2021 median pay for Financial Managers was $131,710 per year, with 17% expected growth through 2030. According to the  BLS definition, “Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.”

The CFA Institute periodically performs salary surveys of members as well as other reports on the investment industry. Recent reports found:

• The average base salary for CFA Charterholders serving as portfolio managers was $126,000 with total compensation of $177,000 (USD). Note this is not a starting salary but an average over members surveyed (2019 Compensation Survey).
• 55% of investment leaders expect globalization to offer new opportunities for investment professionals (2017 Future State of Investment Profession study).

CFA Salaries For Common Careers >>

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council 2022 Corporate Recruiter Survey:

• 61% of corporate recruiters viewed candidates with a graduate business degree as more competitive than  learners with micro-credentials (short education courses). Only 7% favored micro-credentials.
• 63% of recruiters globally expect an increase in the demand for business school talent in the next five years, and 35% expect demand to be stable.
• 84% of global corporate recruiters plan to hire Master of Finance Students in 2022 (up from 73% the prior year). The highest demand is in Asia and the Middle East. In the U.S., 55% expect to hire Master of Finance graduates versus 50% the prior year.

Is the CFA or a Master's in Financial Analysis Better? 

This is a personal choice that depends on your circumstances and preferences. Some factors to consider are your desired career. First, look at career position announcements for the career (and geography) you would like to have and see what they require – CFA or graduate degree. Some general considerations:

• If you are primarily interested in managing wealth for individuals, you should give serious consideration to the credentials most recognized by individuals. These are the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)or CFA (with the CFP the most recognized).
• If you are primarily interested in managing wealth for institutions or in an institution such as a mutual fund, then the CFA and/or a Master’s are the most recognized.
• If you are primarily interested in working for a company as a financial analyst, financial manager or in a similar role then a Masters is a good choice. Some companies may also consider a CFA or CPA for these roles.

Financial modeling is a widely used technique to forecast financial performance into the future. A financial model is one of the tools used to aid decisions, analyze essential business functions with financial metrics, and more accurately evaluate and understand potential investments. Commonly such models are built in a spreadsheet such as Excel, although more specialized software may be used.

• Financial Model Applications
• Careers
• Types of Financial Models
• Skills
• Software
• Benefits
• Online Courses

The Application of Financial Models

• Accounting
• Acquisitions and investments
• Business growth
• Forecasts and budgets
• Asset disposals
• Valuations
• Analysis of financial statements

Financial Modeling Careers

Many different types of financial models exist for forecasting the financial performance of an organization. Investment banking analysts may use multiple types of models to gain insights and formulate recommendations about investment portfolios for an investment banking team or their clients.

How To Become An Investment Banking Analyst >>

Types of Financial Models

Many different types of financial models exist for forecasting the financial performance of an organization. Investment banking analysts may use multiple types of models to prepare insights and recommendations about investment portfolios for an investment banking team or clients. 

What Do Investment Bankers Do? >>

Three Statement Model

Also known as an integrated financial statement model, 3 statement models are typically built in a spreadsheet as a single worksheet that links together income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. The model is then manipulated – varying the inputs to understand how different operating, financing, and investing assumptions impact the forecast.

For example, a 3 statement model might be used to investigate the impact of varying assumptions such as:

• Cost of goods sold
• Interest rates
• Inventory levels
• Salaries and benefits
• Revenue growth

Discounted Cash Flow Model

A discounted cash flow (DCF) model uses the Net Present Value (NPV) of projected cash flows (a more sophisticated version of profit, that takes account of the fact that cash flows in the future have less value than cash flows now) as the basis for valuing a business entity. Most likely the inputs to the DCF valuation will derive from a three-statement model and aim to capture the total value of a potential investment opportunity.

Sum of the Parts Model

The sum of the parts model takes the DCF model one step further by combining multiple DCF models together to determine the Net Asset Value of a group of assets/entities. Such a method could be used to determine the fair value of the shares in a mutual fund or exchange-traded funds.

Merger Model

The merger (M&A) model is an advanced financial model used to evaluate the quality of a proposed merger or acquisition deal. Accretion/dilution analysis plays a key role in M&A models – determining whether earnings post-transactions on single shares have increased or decreased. 

Budget Model

The budget model is a financial model to determine a future budget. Budget models give finance professionals a repeatable starting point to figure out how to allocate funds in the future and monitor performance throughout the year.

Financial Modeling Skills

In order to successfully create forecasting tools, individuals should possess certain skills, some of which can be unique to financial modeling. 

Accelerate your career with Kaplan Schweser’s Financial Modeling Course

Accounting Fundamentals

It is important that the builder of a financial model has a good grasp of accounting fundamentals. Concepts such as:

• Accruals and prepayments (the matching principle)
• Amortization and depreciation
• Revenue recognition

play an important role in understanding how to read, dissect and build financial statements. 

Linking Financial Statements

Linking financial statements together is critical for multiple financial models and is the foundation for calculating critical financial metrics. For example, analysts will need multiple values from multiple financial statements to calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

Forecasting

Forecasting is a skill that takes time and experience to master. Developing accurate data-driven strategies to answer questions about the future is difficult. Soft skills like critical thinking and thoroughness help analysts balance assumptions about the future, all the while including historical data to make accurate predictions.

How To Become A Financial Analyst >>

Communication

Communication is an important skill to have when building and maintaining financial models. Analysts will need to process large amounts of data into an understandable format so everyone involved can decide on the best course for the future. 

Design

Design is crucial to developing a financial model that is easy to understand. A good financial model is formatted in a logical and attractive way. The layout should highlight important trends and provide users with an interface that is visually appealing.

Financial Modeling Software

What software to use when building a financial model is a common question and the answer depends on a few factors.

• Time
• Cost
• Expertise

Before dedicated financial modeling software tools existed, analysts relied on spreadsheets such as Excel or Google Sheets. Understanding Excel is a great starting point – it can be fully customized to meet any layout, structure, calculations, or format desired, and often is the only tool needed.

Software designed for financial modeling can be expensive, especially when customized to accommodate specific business needs. They also offer analysts quick and easy generated reports and extra error prevention.

Learning the fundamentals of how a financial model works gives analysts the opportunity to really understand the inner workings of the ultimate business decision.

Excel

Given that Microsoft Excel is widely used to construct financial models, knowing how to work efficiently in Excel is critical for building and maintaining financial models. To become a successful financial analyst, you’ll need to understand how financial models are created using Excel.

Benefits of Learning Financial Modeling

There are many benefits to learning how to build and maintain financial models. From a career development perspective, having this skill will give you an in-depth understanding of the business being evaluated, which can lead to promotions and salary increases. 

Equipping yourself with financial modeling skills can enhance your career and give you a distinct competitive advantage when striving to outperform the competition.

Financial Analyst Career Paths >>

How is a Financial Modeling Course Beneficial for a CFA Charterholder?

The ability to create strong financial models is a critical skill for successful CFA charterholders. To be successful as a financial professional, you need to understand basic financial modeling in Excel. And if you’re looking to thrive in a career in institutional investment management, learning this skill will help you make smarter investment decisions in an efficient manner.

Online Financial Modeling Courses

Kaplan Schweser has partnered with The Marquee Group, to offer an industry-leading financial modeling course for anyone looking to move their financial career forward. 

If you are exploring a career in finance related to advising clients on investment strategy, you’ve probably heard about the CFA^® charter and the FINRA Series 7 license. So, how do you know which one to earn? In this article comparing the CFA charter to the FINRA Series 7 license, we give you everything you need to decide.

What do CFA^® Charter and FINRA Series 7 Mean?

The Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA) charter is the professional credential offered internationally by CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals. The program covers a broad range of topics relating to investment and portfolio management, financial analysis, stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and provides a generalist knowledge of other areas of finance. Industry professionals worldwide recognize the CFA charter as the “gold standard” of all financial analyst designations.

Also known as the General Securities Registered Representative license, the Series 7 license is administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a regulatory body that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets. If you hold this license, you can sell corporate stocks and bonds, municipal bonds, mutual funds, variable annuities, options, direct participation program partnerships, collateralized mortgage obligations, and more.

It is possible to hold both credentials. Many CFA charterholders who take staff positions in the research departments of brokerages will go on to earn their Series 7 licenses. For Series 7 license holders who become investment advisor representatives or set up registered investment advisor firms, holding the CFA charter is beneficial to their business and clients.

CFA Charter vs. Series 7: Similarities

Both are finance industry credentials, and both are earned by passing a set of exams. The CFA exam has three levels. The Series 7 exam is a corequisite of another exam called the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), and you must pass both exams to earn your license. The Series 7 exam is sometimes referred to as a “top off” exam because the SIE is a corequisite of several FINRA exams, and earning the Series 7 license requires specific knowledge on top of security industry basics.

CFA Charter vs. Series 7: Differences

Earning the CFA charter requires knowledge and expertise in a broad range of financial analysis topics, such as portfolio management, economics, reporting, quantitative analysis, and more. Its three levels of exams are intense, and each requires an average of at least 300 hours of study to pass. However, because it is a charter, it is not a requirement. You can be employed as a financial analyst, for example, without a CFA charter.

Recent CFA Exam Pass Rates »

The Series 7 is a license, comparable to those you have to earn to sell real estate or insurance. Anyone who is a stockbroker must hold the Series 7 license. While also intense, this exam is generally believed to be significantly less difficult than the CFA. Its focus is also much narrower; it tests you on your knowledge of the concepts and functions of a registered representative.

CFA Charter vs. Series 7: Requirements

To become a CFA charterholder, you need to do the following:

• Have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or be in the final year of your bachelor’s degree program. If you have 4,000 hours of relevant work experience or a combination of professional work and university experience that totals 4,000 hours, you are also eligible for the CFA Program.
• Take and pass Level I, Level II, and Level III of the CFA exam.
• Become a member of CFA Institute (which costs $275 and includes agreeing to abide by its code of ethics).
• Provide CFA Institute with proof that you’ve been working full-time for 4,000 hours in a role that either involves investment decision-making or with a product that contributes to that process. This can include any work experience you had before passing the exam, as well as after.

To earn the Series 7 license, you need to do the following:

• Take and pass the SIE exam. There are no degree or work requirements for taking this exam, although most candidates are either earning a college degree in a finance-related field or already have one.
• Secure a sponsorship with a FINRA-member firm. You need to work for them for 4 months; after that, they can file a special application called a Form U4 that registers you for the exam.
• Take and pass the FINRA Series 7 license exam. Like the SIE, there are no degree or work requirements, but most candidates have a college degree in a finance-related field.

Considering the CFA charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

CFA Charter vs. FINRA Series 7: Exam Topics, Formats, Fees, and Pass Rates

In a discussion about CFA versus Series 7, people are most likely to be concerned about the exams. Here’s what you need to know.

CFA Program Topics

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Quantitative Methods
• Economics
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Corporate Issuers
• Equity Investments
• Alternative Investments
• Fixed Income
• Derivatives
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

In 2022, the CFA Level I exam will be offered four times a year. Level II will be offered three times a year and Level III will be offered twice.

Latest CFA Exam Dates »

All levels are computer-based and the format of the first two levels is multiple-choice. Level III has a written portion called constructed response and a multiple-choice portion. When you register for the Level I CFA® exam, you will pay a one-time enrollment fee of $350.

Because the CFA® exam has three levels, you will pay separate registration fees for each level. The fees for each level are $900 for early registration and $1,200 for standard registration.

CFA Program Cost >>

One thing that the CFA exam has in common with the Series 7 exam is that beginning all levels will all be administered by computer at a Prometric testing center. Prometric also administers the Series 7 exam.

Series 7 Exam Topics

• Investment Risk
• Taxation
• Equity and Debt Instruments
• Packaged Securities
• Options
• Retirement Plans
• Interactions With Clients

Series 7 exams are administered throughout the year. After your sponsor submits the Form U4 application, FINRA opens up a 120-day window, and you can take the exam on the days it is offered within that window. The pass rate for the exam as of March 31, 2019, was 71%.

CFA Exam vs. FINRA Series 7 Exam: Preparation

Another similarity between the two credentials is that the exams are nearly impossible to pass if all the candidate does is last-minute cramming. So, whether it’s the CFA exam or the FINRA Series 7 exam, you should start studying early.

To prepare for the CFA exam, CFA Institute advises a minimum of 300 hours of study for each level. You should focus on the Learning Outcome Statements (LOS) from CFA Institute because they detail exactly what you are expected to do on exam day.  CFA exam preparation classes can really help, as will immersing yourself in practice questions. In addition, you should plan to take as many mock exams as you can to get used to the whole exam process.

To prepare for the FINRA Series 7 exam, plan to spend 80–100 hours studying if you have a finance background and about 150 if you don’t. The questions are detailed and related to the day-to-day activities, responsibilities, and job functions of representatives. Therefore, you should expect it to be challenging. Series 7 exam preparation classes are recommended as part of the preparation process, along with making a study plan, focusing on learning concepts, using practice questions, and taking practice exams.

CFA Charter vs. FINRA Series 7: How to Choose

Deciding which designation to pursue really depends on what you want to do in your career. With a CFA charter, you have a  number of career opportunities, such as portfolio manager, research analyst, consultant, risk manager, corporate financial analyst, financial adviser, and the C-suite. If you want a career selling stocks in a brokerage, investment firm, or bank, then not only is the FINRA Series 7 right for you, but it is required.

Of course, you don’t have to choose at all. Having both designations opens more doors in your career, especially if stocks and other securities investment products are your passion. No matter which path you choose, there is a wealth of information out there that can help you earn the credential or credentials you need. You can get started here and here.

ESG investing is a framework to help investment firms better understand risks and opportunities associated with a particular company or fund. The framework consists of many ESG factors and uses multiple strategies to make financial projections and assist institutional investment decisions.

• ESG Investing Factors
• Types of ESG Investments
• How ESG Investing Works
• SRI vs. ESG Investing
• Impact Investing vs. ESG Investing
• ESG Investing Jobs

ESG Investing Factors

New ESG factors will continue to emerge over time. Currently, many factors are used in ESG investing, but they all get categorized into three groups. 

Environmental Factors

Many environmental factors will sound familiar, for instance, climate change. For example, an ESG analyst could use ESG rating reports along with carbon emission trends to determine if a stock in the energy market is a good investment.

More environmental ESG factors used in ESG investing and analysis include:

• Deforestation
• Pollution
• Green Energy
• Waste Management
• Water Usage

Social Factors

Social factors in ESG investing are about the people involved with the organization, either as employees, board members, or customers. For example, ESG analysts could use employee engagement metrics and labor standards in their ESG rating analysis.

More social ESG factors used in ESG investing and analysis include:

• Employee gender and diversity
• Data privacy and security
• Community relations
• Company sexual harassment policies
• Workers’ rights

Governance Factors

Governance factors in ESG investing will help investors determine how a company is led and managed. ESG analysts can try to understand how executive incentives are aligned to stakeholder expectations or what types of internal policies exist to encourage transparency and accountability.

More governance factors used in ESG investing and analysis include:

• Board composition 
• Corruption
• Political activities
• Executive pay
• Lawsuits
• Lobbying

Types of ESG Investments

The most commonly used types of ESG investments are stocks and mutual funds; however, ESG investments can be more narrow in scope to support specific causes or technologies. 

ESG Stocks

ESG stocks are simply stocks with strong ESG factors which make them preferable over other stocks. It is the goal of ESG analysis to seek stocks that have high ratings in ESG factors. ESG analysts can use metrics like executive compensation and new data privacy policies to determine if buying the stock is a good investment. 

Investors interested in stocks with strong ESG ratings can check for impact reports from companies. These impact reports may include recent initiatives or future forecasts regarding specific ESG factors which can be used to help make decisions. 

ESG Mutual Funds

ESG mutual funds are investment programs funded by shareholders of companies that focus on ESG factors and have high ESG ratings. Some funds focus on specific ESG issues like renewable energy or human rights. 

Investors interested in ESG mutual funds can find information regarding which companies are invested in a specific fund by examining the mutual fund’s prospectus. A mutual fund prospectus is free of charge and sent upon request to interested investors. 

How ESG Investing Works

ESG investing is the practice of including environmental, social, and governance factors when determining an investment's financial returns and overall impact. 

What are ESG Scores 

An investment's ESG score represents efforts made towards and actual results of specific environmental, social, and governance factors. There are many methodologies and rating systems used across the industry for ESG analysis. 

For example, the largest ESG data provider (MSCI), rates ESG investments on a scale of AAA-CCC, with AAA being the highest rating. Sustainalytics, another ESG data provider, rates ESG investments on a scale of 0-100, with ESG scores above 70 considered “excellent.”

How ESG Scores are Calculated

ESG scores are calculated using various analytical methods all the while using data derived from a company’s publicly available information. ESG rating agencies will use specific ESG metrics like lobbying activities or energy efficiencies. The metrics used can vary depending on who is doing the rating, what market the company or fund is in, and how that company or fund is performing compared to its competitors.

What are ESG Companies?

ESG companies hold strong environmental, social, and governance values while trying to accomplish positive shareholder returns. They can operate in industries such as:

• Consumer Goods
• Alternative Energy 
• Financials
• Retail
• Healthcare
• Technology
• Transportation

Impact Investing

Impact investing refers to seeking investments that have a positive effect on environmental, social, or governance issues. Investors expect positive outcomes and substantial results when trying to help a business or organization achieve specific goals that benefit the environment or society.

ESG Investing Trends

The importance of environmental, social, and governance issues continues to become a major focus for investment firms. Growth is expected in both using ESG factors to make investment decisions and having data and talent to make solid ESG investment decisions.

ESG issues in new legislation, employment practices, data privacy, environmental implications of technology, and cryptocurrency operations continue to fuel these trends. 

Sustainable,  Responsible, and Impact Investing (SRI) vs. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing

Socially responsible investing (SRI) is the oldest form of ESG analysis, dating back to the 18th Century. In recent years, the acronym has evolved and SRI is now recognized to stand for sustainable, responsible, and impact investing. Both SRI investing and ESG investing involves building sustainable and responsible portfolios, but there are some differences between them.

ESG is noted as the criteria upon which an SRI strategy is developed. An SRI strategy can be defined in many ways, but in general, there are four main types of SRI strategies:

• Inclusionary
• Exclusionary
• Sustainability-themed
• ESG integration

ESG investing is sometimes referred to as ESG integration, and this is the most commonly used SRI strategy in the United States and other parts of the world. This strategy does not exclude any investments from ESG analysis; it provides a lens to evaluate all companies. ESG typically provides an additional layer of risk analysis, and ethical and impact issues are considered positive benefits. 

Becoming Certified in Sustainable Investing

Becoming educated and certified in sustainable investing is a great way for advisors who wish to specialize in sustainable and responsible investments for their clients. 

What is the CSRIC™ Designation? >>

ESG Investing vs. Impact Investing

Both ESG and impact investing require investors to evaluate similar factors such as pollution or political contributions. Their initial intentions and long-term goals are where they begin to differ. 

ESG investing is the process of including ESG factors and ESG scores to make informed decisions, usually performed by large institutions, about potential profits and new investment opportunities.

Impact investing is the process of investing in companies or funds that align with an investor's or organization's principles with the intention of making a positive contribution to society and or the environment.  

ESG Investing Jobs

There are many jobs that incorporate the use of ESG strategies into their investment decisions. Jobs are prevalent throughout various industries including finance, government, risk management, and energy. 

Individuals can hold job titles such as:

• ESG Analyst
• ESG Advisor or Associate
• Sustainability/ESG Director
• Director Sustainable Finance
• ESG Sales & Delivery Manager
• ESG Program Manager

Certificate in ESG Investing

An ESG certificate can benefit anyone who works in operations, strategy, or management within the institutional investment field. 

An ESG certification can be especially useful for CFA Charterholders, CAIA Charterholders, and Certified FRMs who would like to move into a more senior position and accelerate their careers. Even sales and distribution, wealth managers, product developers, financial advisors, consultants, or risk managers can benefit from improving their understanding of ESG issues.  

Undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the investment industry may also benefit from earning an ESG certificate. 

ESG Certificate Guide >>

ESG Investing Course Prep

If you decide to pursue CFA Institute’s ESG Certificate exam, consider making a Kaplan Schweser ESG Certificate prep package—complete with on-demand videos, study tools, and mock exams—the centerpiece of your mission to earn a passing score.

An ESG certification is a credential individuals can gain to demonstrate their knowledge of and use of environmental, social, and governance factors in institutional investment analysis. This type of analysis is important to companies who want to understand the overall value and sustainability of an organization or investment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Who Should Have an ESG Certificate?
• When To Get an ESG Certificate
• Best ESG Certificates
• How To Become ESG Certified?
• What is the CFA ESG Certificate?
• How to Study for the CFA ESG Certificate Exam?
• How To Register for the CFA ESG Certificate Exam?
• Job Opportunities After Becoming ESG Certified

Is an ESG Certificate Worth It?

If you are a financial professional that helps investors or companies make investment decisions, gaining an ESG certificate is worth it. ESG investing is a rapidly growing practice within the institutional investment field and investors are looking for individuals with a good understanding of the different approaches to responsible investment.

Who Should Have an ESG Certificate?

Broadly speaking an ESG certificate can benefit anyone who works in operations, strategy, or management within the institutional investment field. 

An ESG certification can be especially useful for CFA Charterholders, CAIA Charterholders, and Certified FRMs who would like to move into a more senior position and accelerate their careers. Even sales and distribution, wealth managers, product developers, financial advisors, consultants, or risk managers can benefit from improving their understanding of ESG issues.  

Undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the investment industry may also benefit from earning an ESG certificate. 

How an ESG Certificate is Beneficial for a CFA Charterholder

An ESG certificate is beneficial for a CFA Charterholder because it provides the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to being up-to-date on current ESG investing practices and knowledge of ESG issues. 

An ESG certificate can help CFA Charterholders differentiate themselves and improve their investment analysis skills with environmental, social, and governance factors in their financial models, ratio analyses, and risk assessments. 

When To Get an ESG Certificate

Since an ESG Certificate would be beneficial to virtually any financial professional's career, a good time to get an ESG certificate would be when someone has the time to pursue the credential. Since an ESG certificate broadly covers ESG investment factors and issues, if someone has the time to dedicate to studying and they have an interest in accelerating their career, now is a good time to get an ESG certificate.

Best ESG Certificates

There are a few providers of certificates that incorporate ESG topics into their curriculum.

How To Become ESG Certified

To become ESG certified an individual must complete an official program that provides a certificate in ESG topics. There are a few providers and each will have its own enrollment requirements and post-exam requirements but in general, to become ESG certified, they will need to

• Meet enrollment requirements
• Enroll in the program
• Begin preparing for the exam(s)
• Register for the exam(s)
• Pass the exam(s)

How Long Does It Take to Earn an ESG Certificate? 

Most ESG certification programs take about one year to complete. Each program has its own steps to earn an ESG certificate, which will dictate exactly how long it takes to earn the certificate. Especially if more than one exam is required or the candidate doesn’t pass the exam the first time. Both factors determine how long it will take to earn an ESG certificate.

What is the CFA ESG Certificate?

The CFA ESG Certificate is a professional certification program offered by the CFA Institute. It is designed to meet the investment industries' increasing demand for more instruction and standards in environmental, social, and governance investing.

The Certificate in ESG Investing program was originally offered only in the United Kingdom but now is offered globally to anyone interested. The program is open to investment professionals or students with a foundational knowledge of the investment process.

How to Study for the CFA ESG Certificate Exam?

To study for the CFA ESG certificate exam, candidates with no professional experience in ESG investing should expect to study around 130 hours. Candidates with professional experience in the curriculum topics should anticipate studying around 100 hours.

Once a candidate decides which category they belong in, they should begin to review the ESG curriculum and read through the program syllabus. The syllabus will tell candidates what skills and knowledge they are expected to have. 

After becoming familiar with curriculum topics and learning expectations, candidates should begin preparing for the ESG certificate exam. During this prep time, registered candidates will receive access from the CFA Institute to self-assessment questions and a mock exam that should be used strategically. 

Once a candidate has their ESG prep materials and study plan, their success will be determined by how committed they stay to following their study plan and remembering to register to sit for the exam within one year of registering. 

How To Register for the CFA ESG Certificate Exam?

Registering for the CFA ESG certificate exam is straightforward. Simply create an account with the CFA Institute, and look for a link to register for the certificate in ESG Investing program via email. Once candidates register for the program, they will have up to one full year to schedule the exam. 

Expert Tip: It is recommended that candidates begin studying before actually scheduling a date to sit for the exam.

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Information

Learn important details for the Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute.

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Topics and Weights

Notice the weight given to topics such as “ESG Analysis, Valuation, and Integration” and “ESG Integrated Portfolio Construction and Management.” These two topics make up a significant portion of the curriculum and will certainly test candidates' ability to apply a range of approaches to ESG analysis and integration across a range of asset classes.

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Costs and Fees

The Certificate in ESG Investing program from the CFA Institute costs $675 USD to enroll in. If candidates want a hard copy of the syllabus they can purchase one for an additional $135 USD. If a candidate does not sit for the exam within one year of registering, their registration will expire and no refunds will be issued. Candidates will need to re-register again and pay the same $675 USD to enroll back into the program. 

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Dates

Technically there are no specific exam dates for the Certificate in ESG Investing exam. CFA ESG certificate candidates just need to schedule to sit for the exam within one year of registering into the program at selected Prometic sites worldwide or in select areas online. 

Expert Tip: Candidates will not be able to sit for the exam on holidays or weekends. 

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Pass Rates

The pass rates for the CFA ESG certificate have been historically high. As of the end of January 2022, the average pass rate for the Certificate in ESG Investing exam was 81%. The certificate will have lifetime validity once a candidate has passed the exam. 

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Format and Duration

The CFA ESG certificate exam format contains standard multiple-choice questions and item set questions. Item set questions consist of a vignette (a long question) which after reading, candidates will be asked to answer 4-6 multiple choice questions from that vignette. 

CFA ESG certificate candidates will have 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the exam, which includes a survey at the end. 

CFA ESG Certificate Exam Grading Process

The grading process for the CFA ESG Certification exam is pass or fail. 

Job Opportunities After Becoming ESG Certified

There are lots of career paths available to individuals who become ESG certified. Jobs are prevalent throughout various industries including finance, government, risk management, and energy. 

Individuals who earn ESG certificates hold job titles such as

• ESG Analyst
• ESG Advisor or Associate
• Sustainability/ESG Director
• Director Sustainable Finance
• ESG Sales & Delivery Manager
• ESG Program Manager

Ready To Start Preparing for the CFA ESG Certificate?

As you get ready for the CFA ESG Certificate exam, consider making a Kaplan Schweser ESG Certificate prep package—complete with classes, study tools, and mock exams—the centerpiece of your mission to earn a passing score.

Deciding between the CFA program and an MBA program is a very personal decision. There are many variables that dictate which one might be the better option for you. And the truth is, many finance professionals choose to pursue both at some point in their career.

• Career Considerations
• Enrollment Requirements
• Time Commitment
• Cost Breakdown
• Salary Differences
• Alternatives

Career Considerations

Your plans after becoming a CFA or MBA graduate can dictate which program is the right choice for you now. 

If You Want To Move Up in Finance

It’s been said that the CFA exam is a foot wide and a mile deep. The CFA Program is intensely focused on one thing: making you an investment expert. You will come out with a specialized skill set for asset management.

Is The CFA Worth It? >>

Curriculum topics that CFA charterholders become experts in include:

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Quantitative Methods
• Economics
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Corporate Issuers
• Equity Investments
• Fixed Income
• Derivatives
• Alternative Investments
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

The CFA Program is a great fit for financial analysts who are looking to move up into a new position like portfolio management or investment management.

If You Are Unsure

The MBA, on the other hand, is a broader approach better defined as a mile wide and a foot deep. The skills you attain in business school are not focused on a single industry. Instead, you get some exposure to all facets of business operation. 

Curriculum topics MBA students get exposed to include:

• Accounting
• Business Accountability and Ethics
• Communication
• Finance
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Microeconomics
• Statistics

If you are still a little undecided about what industry you want to work in and feel like you need more practical exposure to a variety of business practices, the MBA path is probably the better choice for you.

If You Want To Switch Careers 

This is where it can get tricky to make a decision. Especially if you are looking to switch careers and move into a brand new industry like finance. If you know you want to be a corporate financial analyst or a stock analyst, you would probably be wise to choose the CFA Program.

If you are an engineer and interested in working in finance but not sure exactly what you want to do, an MBA program will give you the opportunity to get exposed to the financial world and help you pick a specialty like:

• Investment Banker
• Actuary
• Portfolio Manager
• Securities Trader
• Financial Planner
• Financial Analyst
• Economic Analyst

Financial Analyst Career Paths >>

Enrollment Requirements

To enroll in the CFA Program, you must one of the CFA Institute’s qualifying criteria:

• Have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
• Be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program
• Have 4,000 hours of professional work experience, or
• Have a combination of professional work and university experience that totals at least 4,000 hours

CFA Charter Requirements >>

Business school requirements vary from school to school. You’ll want to make sure you meet the specific requirements of the school or schools to which you want to apply. Generally speaking, each school will require that you:

• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Complete the GRE or GMAT exam with a satisfactory score
• Have professional work experience (varies by school)
• Complete additional program prerequisites (varies by school)

Will Becoming a CFA Help You Get Into an MBA Program?

It may be less common for a CFA charterholder to enroll in an MBA program but it certainly can’t hurt to have a CFA designation when applying to an MBA program.  

Is It Better To Pursue a CFA after Earning an MBA?

If you are young, have little to no experience as a finance professional, and can afford an MBA program, earning an MBA before you pursue the CFA charter can benefit you in a few ways.

There will be some overlapping curriculum material between an MBA Program and the CFA Program. You will also learn how to study for a finance exam while enrolled in an MBA Program. An MBA graduate will also probably go into the CFA Program with better expectations of what will be required to pass each exam. 

If you already have 4 years of professional work experience and looking to specialize in asset management, the CFA Program may be all you need to rise above others in your field. 

Considering the CFA charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

Can You Pursue an MBA and CFA Together?

Yes, technically you can be enrolled in an MBA Program and the CFA Program at the same time but we would not recommend pursuing them both at the same time. Especially while working a job because both options will require a lot of your time.

Time Commitment

If you dedicate yourself to being a full-time student, you can complete your MBA program in two years or less. Technically, if everything went perfectly, you could complete the CFA Program in 18 months, not including the time you spent studying for the Level I exam. But that would be a very intense 18 months of studying. 

It’s recommended that you spend 300 hours studying for each level of the CFA exam, but you can take a year off in between levels if you need to without jeopardizing your chance of completion or significantly adding to the cost. On average, successful candidates take four years to earn their CFA charter, according to CFA Institute.

Nearly all CFA charter candidates hold jobs while they prepare for and take the exams because they need to meet a work experience requirement before they can become a charterholder. The CFA exam is what it is…three levels, 300 hours each, and intense preparation. 

Tips For Passing CFA Exam While Working Full Time >>

There is no shortcut. Whereas the option does exist to complete an MBA program part-time if you choose. It takes a little longer, but the option is available.

For the most part, completing the CFA Program is something you do on your own, while an MBA program is typically a more socially communal experience, with an emphasis on networking and team projects.

Cost Breakdown

While your career plans should be the primary consideration, the cost is often a factor when deciding between an MBA and the CFA charter. There are costs associated with both. The CFA charter is relatively affordable when compared to an MBA, especially if you’re planning to attend a well-known business school. 

All told, you can complete the CFA Program with CFA premium exam prep materials for under $12,000. Business school tuition can cost $80,000 or more. That said, it really comes down to what you want to do with your career. You can’t put a price on job satisfaction.

CFA Program Cost >>

Salary Differences 

Financial compensation is obviously a factor in your decision to pursue further education. But it shouldn’t be the most significant factor in deciding between the CFA Program and an MBA. 

The median compensation for a CFA charterholder with 0–5 years of experience is $72,900. The median compensation for a business school graduate with 0–5 years of experience is $57,700. Business professionals with 0–5 years of experience who have completed both programs have a median salary of $87,200.

You are standing at a crossroads where countless others have stood. As you’re likely learning, there isn’t a single right or wrong choice that works for every individual. 

What you might see as a positive might be a negative to the next person in line. Consider all the factors, make your decision confident, and don’t look back. Either way, you’re headed toward a brighter future in a finance career.

CFA Charterholder Salaries >>

Alternatives

There are alternatives to earning the CFA designation or becoming a business school graduate. Designations like CAIA and CFP are more specialized designations than a CFA whereas some give you more flexibility to work in multiple industries like CPA.

• CFA vs. CPA
• CFA vs. CFP
• CFA vs. CAIA

Masters of Science Degree in Financial Analysis

Sometimes, candidates looking to pursue the CFA Charter also may pursue a Masters of Science Degree in Financial Analysis (MSFA). Certain graduate programs are aligned to the learning outcomes of the CFA Institute’s CFA Program, which allows students to earn an MSFA while simultaneously preparing for the CFA exam.  

The College for Financial Planning's Masters of Science in Financial Analysis program includes access to Kaplan Schweser’s CFA Essential Study Package to prepare for the CFA exam.

Is Becoming a CPA Worth It?

CPA vs CFA Curriculum Differences

Unlike the CFA exam, which focuses on investment tools, valuing assets, and portfolio management and wealth planning, the CPA exam is designed to test your knowledge of auditing procedures and standards, taxation, and accounting and reporting standards for a variety of organizations. 

CPA Exam Topics

CFA Exam Topics

• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Quantitative Methods
• Economics
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Corporate Issuers
• Equity Investments
• Fixed Income
• Derivatives
• Alternative Investments
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

CFA Exams Explained >>

CPA vs CFA Career Paths

The major difference between a CPA and CFA career path is the industry they work in. Typically CFA charterholders work in the investment management industry whereas you may find CPAs in multiple industries. 

CPA Career Paths

• Public accounting: Public accounting firms provide a variety of clients with accounting services, such as financial planning, bookkeeping, and audit preparation. It’s common to work in public accounting for a few years before transitioning to private accounting or another more specialized type of accounting.
• Government accounting: Government accountants perform audits, assess the efficiency and effectiveness of various government units, oversee public funds, and investigate white-collar crime for the FBI.
• Private accounting: Private accountants work for a single company’s internal accounting department. They manage the company’s financial records, prepare financial reports, and assess the company’s fiscal performance.
• Nonprofit accounting: Nonprofit organizations require accountants who can complete specialized tasks. These include evaluating donor-restricted assets, which can only be used for specific purposes, accounting for different types of services and programs, and fundraising.
• Academia: Accounting professors not only teach students about accounting and research accounting theory, but they often also serve as accounting consultants to companies, firms, and in legal proceedings.

CFA Career Paths

There are multiple directions CFA charterholders can take after earning the CFA designation, including using it to advance their current career or look for a new career as a:

• Financial Analyst
• Risk Analyst
• Ratings Analyst
• Portfolio Manager
• C-Level Executive

Financial Analyst Career Paths >>

CFA Charterholder vs. CPA Salary

• Research analyst: CFA charterholders who are research analysts earn, on average, $77,000 a year, according to Payscale.
• Financial advisor: Financial advisors with the CFA charter earn an average salary of $83,000 annually.
• Investment analyst: Investment analysts with the CFA charter earn an average salary of $78,000 annually.
• Portfolio manager: The average salary for a portfolio manager with the CFA charter is $102,000.
• C-level executive: Payscale says that chief financial officers with CFA charters have a median annual base salary of $173,000.

Considering the CFA charter? Before you choose your CFA exam date, download this free, Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam, eBook.

CPA Salary

• Accountant and auditor: Accountants and auditors who are CPAs earn a median annual salary of $69,000.
• Financial controller: Financial controllers oversee and direct a company’s accounting functions. The average annual salary for CPAs in this position is $98,000.
• Corporate controller: CPAs in the executive role of the corporate controller can expect an average salary of $114,000 a year.
• Chief Financial Officer: The average annual salary for CPAs who are CFOs is $151,000.

CFA vs. CPA Difficulty

You might be asking yourself if the CFA charter is worth it because you heard the CFA Program is expensive and it takes a long time to become a CFA charterholder.  Or perhaps you’re considering switching careers and looking for information about what you’d be getting yourself into.   

In this article, we provide the necessary context to help you decide if the CFA is right for you.  Our goal is to help you set expectations about the outcomes for CFA charterholders and provide you with options in case you decide that the CFA charter is not right for you at this time.  

• Factors to consider if the CFA Is worth it
• Is the CFA right for you quiz
• What CFA candidates learn
• What a CFA does
• Using the CFA to switch careers
• CFA alternatives
• Advice from CFA charterholders

Factors To Consider If The CFA Is Worth It

Typically, the CFA Program is finished by people with backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, or business. Having a financial background is not necessary to pursue the CFA charter; however, you will need 4,000 hours of “professional work experience” completed in a minimum of 36 months in areas like trading, corporate finance, and economics to become a CFA Charterholder. 

Each person will have their own set of personal factors to consider when deciding if the CFA charter is right for them. Information about those factors usually requires more context than what is provided in CFA FAQs. 

Career Goals

Upfront, you should understand that the CFA charter can indeed help you in your career, but it’s not the silver bullet for success. You are the secret to your success, and the CFA charter is just one part of that.

In our research and conversations with CFA charterholders over the years, we’ve learned an important fact: Charterholders who landed new finance jobs or moved up in their organizations applied passion, dedication, determination, and other common CFA traits to their job search or upward career move. In other words, they didn’t stop working hard after they passed the CFA exams. They also did not set the bar too high in their job search or in their desire for a better position. Instead, they did their homework on the types of jobs where a CFA charter is more likely to be respected and designed a long-term plan for working hard and moving into management.

For example, if you are a student you could use your journey through the CFA Program to get an internship or an entry-level position to start gaining the experience needed to officially become a CFA charterholder.

If you’re already working in the financial industry, we’ve seen success come to those who applied for positions or promotions where the charter is seen as advantageous. According to CFA Institute, 22% of CFA charterholders are employed as portfolio managers.

Again, you are the secret to your success. Other things you can do to help your career are: 

• Leveraging personal contacts
• Joining a CFA society
• Network on social media
• Attend events related to your career aspirations to meet possible employers
• Sharpen your presentation skills
• Practice interviewing
• Try not to get discouraged along the way

Join Kaplan Schweser’s Expert CFA Instructors for a Series of Free Webinars Discussing the Career Benefits of the CFA Program

Finding the Time to Pursue the CFA

Honestly thinking about how much free time you have to dedicate to the CFA Program should be a priority for you. Some important information to consider if you don’t have lots of free time should be:

• CFA Level I exams are usually only offered four times per year
• You can only take an exam twice per calendar year
• You can’t fail the Level I exam and then re-enroll into the next immediate exam window
• Average CFA candidates can spend more than 300 hours studying for each CFA exam
• You should expect to spend three to four years completing the CFA program.

Salary Expectations

Determining how much money you can expect to earn after passing all three CFA exams is difficult to determine. If you earn the CFA designation as a mid-level analyst, it's fair to expect a 15-20% increase in salary. In reality, the CFA designation seems to provide more experienced analysts and managers with a larger salary increase. Again there are many factors that determine salary increases but one thing for sure is that the CFA designation is seen as valuable, especially for candidates in senior roles like risk, investment, and portfolio managers.   

For example, if your end goal is to become a portfolio manager at a top firm, the CFA Institute determined in a 2019 compensation study that US$177,000 was a typical total compensation amount.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median pay for financial analysts in the U.S is 83,660 USD or ₹570,063 in the Bangalore, India Area according to Glassdoor.

Average salary range for common CFA charterholder jobs »

Total Cost to Pursue the CFA

The CFA Program is not free and there are multiple components that determine the total cost to pursue the CFA such as:

• Registration costs
• Enrollment fees
• Prep materials

Depending on when you register for each exam and how much you pay for CFA prep, expect to need 3-6,000 USD to pursue the CFA charter.

Total CFA exam fees » 

Is the CFA Right for You?

Try our short quiz to see if the CFA charter is right for you at this time.

What CFA Candidates Learn

The CFA Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning.

CFA candidates learn more than just the CFA Insitute’s Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) which covers topics like the effects of geopolitics on economies and investment markets, or environmental and social risk factors for corporate issuers.  

You will also learn about the financial community in your area and the impact your local CFA Society is having on the future of financial professionals like the global CFA Institute Research Challenge.

What a CFA Does

A CFA is a chartered financial analyst who provides investment guidance and portfolio management for individuals, businesses, and other organizations. These professionals can work at institutional investment firms, broker-dealers, insurance companies, pension funds, banks, and universities.

The CFA designation is only given to investment professionals who have completed the requirements set by the CFA Institute. CFA members can be found at some of the world's largest investment institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Royal Bank of Canada, BofA Securities, UBS Group, HSBC Holdings, Wells Fargo and Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BlackRock, and TD Bank Financial Group.

Using the CFA To Switch Careers

It is possible to use your pursuit and ultimate completion of the CFA Program as a way to switch careers.  If you set realistic expectations about how long the transition will take and how much effort and dedication it takes to switch careers, the CFA Program is a great way to transition into a finance professional.  Especially if your focus is narrow and you are considering positions like:

• Portfolio Manager
• Research Analyst
• Hedge Fund Manager
• Investment Banking Analyst
• Stock Equity Analyst

Reasons People Decide To Become a CFA »

If you don’t have any experience in the finance industry, you could look for an entry-level position after passing the level I exam while gaining experience during the rest of your time in the CFA Program.  This will help you meet the 4,000 hours of relevant work experience needed for your CFA membership.

CFA Alternatives

Some CFA alternatives we commonly see people consider are:

• CFA vs MBA
• CFA vs CPA
• CFA vs FINRA Series 7
• CFA vs CAIA
• CFA vs FRM
• Master of Science Degree in Financial Analysis

Advice From CFA Charterholders

We checked numerous forums and blogs, and those who said the CFA charter was worth it outnumbered the naysayers about 8:1.

One CFA charterholder wrote this in a LinkedIn blog post: “I went from zero to hero in terms of finance knowledge education, moved to Canada, and am now employed as a research analyst in a macro-boutique firm. How much of this is attributed to my status as CFA candidate? A fair portion, I would say. Would I be in the equivalent or better position without doing the CFA Program? In my thinking, it is unlikely to be the case.”

In a Life on the Buy-Side article, Mike Moran, CFA, said, “Successfully completing the program and earning your charter is a worthwhile endeavor. You never know what future the markets might hold for you, so the CFA Program offers a good base of knowledge to get you on your way.”

The general consensus of most CFA charterholders is that it has paid off in terms of career, knowledge, satisfaction, and end results. For example, when we were preparing our eBook, Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam, we interviewed several CFA charterholders, including Jason A. Smith, CFA. He said, “If you are willing to pay the cost, the rewards will wait for you at the end.”

Ready to Tackle the CFA Charter?

If you’re excited about what the future could hold for you as a CFA charterholder, get started today and explore our CFA Level I study materials.

If analyzing data trends and the performance of stocks and bonds to help businesses or individuals make investment decisions are appealing to you, a career as a financial analyst may be your calling. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Required Skills to Become a Financial Analyst
• Financial Analyst Education
• Certifications for Financial Analysts
• Financial Analyst Career Paths
• US Financial Analyst Salary Ranges
• Financial Analyst Job Outlook in the US
• Steps to Become a Financial Analyst

What is a Financial Analyst?

A financial analyst is someone who interprets financial data and uses the results from their analysis to help businesses or organizations make decisions about investments.  Those investments can be in many different areas such as:

• Stocks
• Bonds
• Real Estate
• Business Operations
• Franchise Performance

In their research, they usually combine multiple data sets to make predictions. For example, a financial analyst at an investment firm may combine economic variables like the unemployment rate and a company's growth potential to make predictions about buying or selling company stock.

Required Skills to Become a Financial Analyst

The skills required to become a financial analyst are broad and can depend on the industry your employer is in and the specific job duties for the role.  Common skills needed to become a financial analyst include:

• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Financial modeling skills
• Knowledge of enterprise resource planning software like SAP
• Multitasking skills
• Understanding of financial law like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Financial Analyst Education

Financial analysts usually have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, statistics, economics, business administration, or other related fields such as math, biology, or engineering. Some high-profile positions may require a master's degree.

Masters of Science Degree in Financial Analysis

Sometimes, financial analysts want to distinguish themselves with an advanced degree while pursuing the CFA charter.  The College of Financial Planning has an Online Masters of Science in Financial Analysis program that is aligned to the learning outcomes of the CFA Institute’s CFA Program, which allows for students to earn an MSFA while simultaneously preparing for the CFA exam.

Certifications for Financial Analysts

If you don’t have the typical educational background of a financial analyst you could consider getting a certification to help demonstrate your knowledge and eagerness to work as a financial analyst. 

The most common credential financial analysts pursue is the CFA designation.  The CFA designation is one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession.  It is given to those that finish the CFA Program and meet the work experience requirements.  

How to become a CFA Charerholder »

Other common certifications amongst financial analysts include:

• Series 7 exam
• Series 63 exam
• The Securities Industry Essentials exam

Financial Analyst Career Paths

There are a few different directions you can take in a financial analyst career, including a buy-side analyst or a sell-side analyst. 

Buy-side analysts work for hedge funds or insurance companies to help businesses with their investment strategies. Sell-side analysts advise financial service sales agents who sell stocks, bonds, and other investments.

Financial analysts may also work for local and regional banks, real estate investment brokerages, and tech companies.

Obtaining a master’s of business administration (MBA) with a finance emphasis is another common route for financial analysts. You may find that many finance employers require a master’s degree for permanent and advanced positions. Getting your MBA will make you more attractive to employers and allow you more mobility in your career.

Sell-Side vs Buy-Side: Key Differences To Know »

Alternative Career Paths For Those Interested in Becoming a Financial Analyst

For those that are interested in learning about other roles in the financial industry that use similar skills consider investigating stock equity analysts and investment banking analysts. 

Stock Equity Analyst

Stock analysts (often referred to as equity analysts) work in both buy-side and sell-side firms producing research reports, projections, and recommendations about stocks and companies.

How to become a stock equity analyst »

Investment Banking Analysts

An investment banking analyst evaluates and researches investment opportunities with the aim of finding the investment that best meets the goals of their corporate clients. Investment banking analysts assess opportunities and recommend investments based on client needs and goals. They are usually part of an investment team and are likely to report to an investment banker who will ultimately guide clients to their final decision.

How to become an investment banking analyst »

US Financial Analyst Salary Ranges

The median salary for a financial analyst in the US is $83,660 USD annually, which is $40.22 per hour. The highest-paid financial analysts can earn $112,460 while the lowest-paid financial analysts can earn $63,670 annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Financial Analyst Job Outlook in the US

The job outlook for financial analysts in the US is positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of individuals employed as financial analysts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030 (492,100 vs 523,400 positions).  

Over 40,000 new positions are projected to open up each year on average.  It is expected that these open positions will be created to support new financial products from big data and tech companies.  They will also help companies conduct analyses on new investment opportunities from emerging markets. 

Why Become a Financial Analyst?

Becoming a financial analyst can give you a high-paying salary with the ability to earn bonuses and share-based compensation. Financial analysts have a median annual salary of $83,660, far above the median annual salary of a full-time worker in the US which is just over $50,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The position is also popular with people interested in big data and seeing a direct business impact from their decisions. 

Steps to Becoming a Financial Analyst

Here are the four big steps we recommend you take to successfully become a financial analyst.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

If you are currently enrolled in college and working toward your bachelor’s degree, you are already on your way to a financial analyst career. Most practicing financial analysts pursued a finance-related major like accounting, statistics, or economics; however, that is not necessarily a prerequisite. 

Other math-heavy fields like engineering and physics are not uncommon backgrounds among financial analysts. It is recommended that you take courses in business, economics, accounting, and math in your undergraduate program, as they will be necessary for this career.

Step 2: Complete an Internship

While this is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged that you pursue a financial analyst internship. This is especially true if you decide to pursue a credential like the CFA. An internship that qualifies as relevant work experience will count towards the 4,000-hour work experience requirement for the CFA charter. 

Completing an internship in the finance industry will help you get a realistic picture of the career and understand the type of work you can expect on a day-to-day basis in this field. Internships also give you an opportunity to network with existing financial analysts and potentially find a mentor. Some of the relationships you form as an intern will help you throughout your career. 

An internship will also help you build your resume and provide experiences you can draw on for job interviews. Most employers prefer to hire people with experience, even for entry-level jobs. An internship also allows you to demonstrate your active interest in becoming a financial analyst and build experience.

Step 3: Find a Job

Once you graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, you can pursue job openings for titles like a junior financial analyst or entry-level financial analyst. Positions like these are often under the guidance of a senior analyst who will help show you the ropes of the industry. 

In these roles, you will encounter tasks like analyzing income statements, maintaining files, processing financial statements for clients, and analyzing plans and forecasts. While junior analysts could potentially advance, progression often requires either a certification or a master’s degree eventually.

Step 4: Get Certified/Licensed

If you want to stay in the financial analyst field, many employers will require you to get the CFA charter for senior-level positions. The CFA charter is the most prestigious designation a financial analyst can obtain. The charter program requires you to pass three rigorous exams:

1. CFA Level I
2. CFA Level II 
3. CFA Level III

It is recommended that you study at least 300 hours for each of the exams, so pursuing the CFA charter is not something to be taken lightly. However, it will qualify you for many advanced financial analyst roles. 

In addition to passing the exams, you will also need 4,000 hours of relevant experience for earning the charter. Getting experience prior to beginning the CFA Program will ensure you meet the experience requirement by the time you pass Level III.

What Kind of Job Can You Get After Passing the Level I CFA Exam? »

After months of studying, reviewing, hard work, and probably some nervousness, you’ve passed Level I of the CFA® exam. Now that you’ve conquered this first milestone, you might be wondering if it can help you in your career. If you’re in the final year of earning your bachelor’s degree, perhaps you’re wondering if passing Level I can open doors for you in your job search. Or, if you’re already working in finance, maybe you think it could help you get a better role. This article has the answers for you.

Jobs Commonly Held by Those Who Passed Level I of the CFA® Exam

In 2016, an online job search company, eFinancialCareers, analyzed the resumes in their database to see what job roles candidates who had passed the different levels of the CFA exam held. Despite the fact that 37% of the resumes were not specific enough to make a determination of the role, they were able to identify ten roles. Here are their top five findings:

• Asset management: 15%
• Accounting and finance: 13%
• Equities: 8%
• Risk management: 6%
• Interns at finance firms: 6%

What Is the Salary For a CFA Level I Completed Candidate?

The salary you earn after passing Level I of the CFA exam is dependent on your current job responsibilities and employer.  You do not automatically qualify for a salary increase by passing the CFA level I exam unless that was agreed upon between you and your employer. 

CFA Charterholder Salary »

Do People Get Jobs After Passing Level I of the CFA?

Before you start envisioning your new career as an asset manager or risk manager because of your Level I credentials, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Yes, those job prospects look good, especially if you don’t have one yet. But the problem with them is that there is no information in the statistics that shows whether passing Level 1 of the CFA exam made any impact during the hiring. And if you search forums like analystforum.com, Quora, and Reddit to learn whether passing Level I helped anyone get a job, you’ll get a mixed bag of responses.

Some will declare that passing Level I won’t help you at all. Others say passing Level I  can help you get a good finance job with a competitive salary in some parts of the world, but not everywhere. And, there are still others who say it absolutely helped them in their careers in one of two ways:

• Passing Level I was a deciding factor when they were competing with someone who was equally qualified for the position but hadn’t passed.
• They had already held careers in finance when they passed Level I.

Why are there so many different opinions? The answer to that question depends on how the forum posters approached job hunting after they passed. Quite a few job candidates think that passing Level I should be enough to get them their dream job. They’re looking for a shortcut on a career journey that is competitive and requires hard work. They are the ones who will tell you that passing the exam didn’t help. If you take the same approach, you are likely to be disappointed.

Those who say they were able to get a good job at a finance firm after passing Level I had a different view of how to leverage this accomplishment.

How Passing Level I of the CFA® Exam Can Help in Your Career Search

Those who have successfully found employment in a finance capacity after passing Level I applied the same determination to their job search as they did to studying and passing. They parlayed the techniques they used to create a CFA study plan, stick to that plan, learn the material, and stay calm on exam day to finding a job.

They networked, used personal contacts, joined a CFA society, spent hours on social media, and attended career fairs. They honed their presentation skills, worked on portraying a specific image or showcasing a specialized skill, and didn’t let themselves get discouraged. With concerted effort, this could be you. You can also use the fact that you passed as a confidence builder when going into an interview. After all, passing Level I means you have a good grasp of basic financial concepts, and that is something for which you can be proud.

Interested in more advice from CFA® charterholders? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

Career Opportunities for CFA Level I Completed Candidates

The general consensus is that you can only get so far in a finance career if you don’t continue pursuing the CFA charter. In the eFinancialCareers research, the odds of moving up the ladder in asset management firms and corporate banks increased with each level passed, culminating in good prospects for CFA charterholders.

Those who found good entry-level jobs or gained a better position after passing Level I all said that it helped them even more if they showed they were willing to continue pursuing the charter. Some even said that it was better to put that you were a Level II candidate on your resume than to say you passed Level I. They told stories about how firms viewed the fact that they were registered for Level II very positively.

Although being a CFA charterholder doesn’t guarantee you a job, you are much more likely to advance in your career or find the perfect finance job if you’ve earned your charter.

Ready to Tackle Level II of the CFA® Exam?

Earning the CFA designation is a great accomplishment and is an indication of your hard work and dedication to advance your career as a financial professional. You should be proud of yourself, and understand the rules and guidelines set by the CFA Institute when communicating your Chartered Financial Analyst® status on resumes, in social media profiles, and in other types of written communications.

• Resume Rules for CFA Marks
• Resume Rules for Active CFA Charterholders
• Resume Rules for Lapsed CFA Charterholders
• Resume Rules for CFA Program Candidates
• Can you share CFA designation on social media?
• Why do CFA charterholders pay to remain a CFA member?
• Can you get a job after passing CFA Level I?
• Is taking the CFA worth it?

Resume Rules for CFA Marks

Resume Rules for Active CFA Charterholders

If you are an active CFA charterholder in good standing with the CFA Institute, the guidelines for including your CFA designation in your resume are pretty straightforward.  

• You can include the CFA designation after your name on your resume. For example: “ John Smith, CFA” excluding the ® symbol.
• You can include your CFA designation in the certification or education sections of your resume and must include the ® symbol.  For example: “CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute.”
• You may also include the date you earned your CFA designation in the certification or education sections of your resume.

Resume Rules for Lapsed CFA Charterholders

Are you currently a candidate in the CFA program and want your resume to reflect your initial commitment to earning the CFA designation? If so, the CFA Institute has a few guidelines for you to follow.  Remember that Ethics and Professional Standards are an important aspect of your career as a CFA charterholder so be transparent about where you are at in the process.  

• You can insert information about your involvement in the CFA Program in the education section of your resume only and you must include the ® symbol.  For example: “CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute.”
• In the education section of your resume, you can also include which level you can complete and the date of completion.  For example: “Completed Level II in 20XX.” 
• You may only use the term “candidate” if you are actively registered for an upcoming CFA exam. 

Can you write attempted CFA Level I on your resume?

If you attempted the CFA Level I exam and failed, you should not include that information on your resume.  Most CFA candidates fail at least one exam during their CFA charterholder journey.  We suggest you try again and consider a Kaplan Schweser Level I exam prep package to help you study for the Level I CFA exam.

Can you share CFA designation on social media?

Yes, you can share your CFA designation on social media but the CFA Institute has set different guidelines for various platforms.  If you plan to advertise that you are a CFA charterholder on social media make sure you continue to meet the membership requirements set by the CFA Institute.  It is also important to remember that you should not try to falsify any information and be transparent about your status whether that is a candidate or a CFA charterholder. 

How to share on LinkedIn for CFA Charterholders

If you are a CFA Charterholder with an active membership with the CFA Institute you may advertise your CFA designation on LinkedIn. 

To add your CFA designation on LinkedIn follow these steps:

1. Log in to LinkedIn and select view profile
2. In the license & certification section of your profile click the + button to add a new certification
   1. Name= “Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder”
   2. Issuing organization= “CFA Institute”
   3. Select “This credential does not expire” if your membership is active
   4. Enter the month and year you received your charter into the Issue date field
   5. If you have claimed your digital badge, you may enter your digital badge URL into the Credential URL field
   6. Press save

How to share on LinkedIn for CFA Program Candidates

If you are a candidate in the CFA Program, you may advertise your candidate status on LinkedIn if you have passed an exam. 

To add your CFA Program Candidacy on LinkedIn follow these steps:

1. Using a desktop, log in to LinkedIn and select view profile
2. In the accomplishments section of your profile click the + button to add a new test score
   1. Test Name=Enter Level I, II, or III CFA exam
   2. Score=Enter “passed”
   3. Test Date=Enter the month and year you passed the exam
   4. Description=Enter the level you have completed.  For example “Passed Level II of the CFA Program.”
   5. Press save

To reference your CFA Program Candidacy for an upcoming exam on LinkedIn follow these steps:

1. Using a desktop, log in to LinkedIn and select view profile
2. In the accomplishments section of your profile click the + button to add a course
   1. Course Name=Enter Level I, II, or III CFA exam candidate
   2. Leave all other fields blank
   3. Press save

How to share CFA designation on Twitter

• CFA should not be included in your Twitter handle.  For example, @JohnSmithCFA is not allowed.
• CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst should only appear in your name field. 
• If you are going to put CFA next to your name on Twitter, your name should be your legal name.
• No aliases are allowed to be used as a name if planning to use the CFA designation.

How to share CFA designation on Facebook

• CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst should only appear in your last name field.  For example, John Smith, CFA 
• If you are going to put CFA next to your name on Facebook, your name should be your legal name.
• No aliases are allowed to be used as a name if planning to use the CFA designation.

Why do CFA charterholders pay to remain a CFA member?

Can you get a job after passing CFA Level I?

Yes, it is possible that you could get a job after passing the Level I CFA exam. However, there is no publicly available information that shows whether passing the Level 1 CFA exam made any impact during the hiring.  What is clear is that passing all three CFA exams and becoming a CFA charterholder is likely to have a significant, positive impact on your career path.

Is taking the CFA worth it?

There are a lot of personal and industry factors to consider when deciding if taking the CFA is worth it for you.  Most financial analysts ask themselves this question at some point in their careers, which is why we have developed an entire article to help you decide if the CFA is really worth it for you.

If you would like to help others discover the best ways to get substantial returns on their investments, are intrigued by analyzing risk, or are interested in helping businesses buy other businesses, consider a career in investment management. Contrary to popular film and fiction, this career does not limit you to pin-striped suits and high-pressure deals on the floor of a noisy, crammed trading room. You have plenty of opportunities to avoid stock exchanges (unless that’s where you want to be). 

How to Become an Investment Manager

Investment managers provide advice and direction to their clients so they meet their goals and get returns on their financial assets. If you want to become an investment manager, you’ll most likely need a fair amount of education, experience, and dedication.

What Education Do You Need to Become an Investment Manager?

You will need a bachelor’s degree in a field such as financial management or economics to start off.  To help get you closer to obtaining the Investment Manager job title, popular options include:

• Becoming a CFA Charterholder
• Becoming a CAIA Charterholder
• Earning the FRM designation
• Earning a master’s degree in business management or administration.

What Skills Do You Need to Become an Investment Manager?

You will need to be able to cope with stress and thrive in a competitive work environment to become an investment manager.  It is expected that you are passionate about the field and the needs of your clients.  You will succeed if you are goal-oriented, enjoy mathematics, are proficient in data analysis, and love to solve problems.

Should You Become an Investment Manager?

Here are 7 reasons why being an investment manager is a good career option to pursue:

Investment Managers Have Lots of  Career Options

There are many jobs available to investment managers. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there are over 650,00 financial manager jobs in the US in 2020.  jobs in banks, brokerage firms, credit unions, and insurance companies. You can be a financial analyst, fund manager, portfolio manager, risk manager, hedge fund manager, alternative investment analyst, stockbroker, risk analyst, ratings analyst, private equity associate, and more. You can choose to manage the investments of individuals or businesses. With the right education and knowledge, there is also the opportunity to join well-known financial institutions like Vanguard, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, HSBC, and Merrill Lynch, just to name a few. There are also ways you can work for yourself if you’re dedicated, realistic, and have enough experience with a finance employer first.

Investment Management Is Fascinating

Investment managers give people and companies advice on what to do with their money. This involves a kind of detective work that will be different each time you do it as you match investments with your clients. One day you might be helping a fashion designer, and the next day, it’s a company that built an app to help disaster victims find relief and shelter. Every day is different. And, since investments can be affected by global events, extreme weather, and unpredictable things like human emotions, there is no time to be bored. You have to keep coming up with new and different investment strategies and ways to direct funds on behalf of clients.

Investment Management Can Be a Lucrative Career

The investment management profession offers some of the highest starting salaries in finance. For those who are talented and ambitious, there’s also a great deal of room for that salary to grow quickly. In the United States, Glassdoor reports that the annual salaries for investment managers range from $51,000 to just under $172,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts investment managers in both the financial analyst and financial manager categories and reports that the median annual salary was between $83,664 and $134,180 for both positions in 2020.

The Investment Manager Job Outlook Is Bright

With so many different financial products and a growing need for people with in-depth knowledge of geographic regions, it’s no surprise that most industry analysts expect strong employment growth in the investment management field midway into the next decade. According to the BLS, employment in investment management is expected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030. This job's outlook is much brighter than the average for all occupations, especially if you happen to be tech-savvy. The competition will be fierce, but with the right education, you should be able to land a good entry-level investment position.

Investment Managers  Don’t Have to Spend Years in Additional Schooling

Are you in the process of earning, or do you already have, a bachelor of science (BS) in business administration, a BS in finance, or a related degree? If so, we have good news. Any of these degrees are all you need to get started in an investment management career. Also, earning a voluntary certification or charter such as the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter, the Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM (CAIA) charter, or the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation is a great way to augment your degree without going to graduate school.

If you’re curious about the differences between these designations, you can learn more in these articles about the CFA charter vs. the CAIA charter, the CAIA charter vs. FRM certification, and the FRM certification vs. the CFA charter.

Considering the CFA^® charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

Investment Managers Can Be Creative and Innovative 

There’s a tendency to think that anyone who chooses to invest for individuals or businesses as a living is a numbers-cruncher. Numbers are involved, but your main focus is investment portfolios, not equations and calculations. These portfolios should be as diverse as possible—comprising lots of different businesses, projects, and sectors. Moreover, as we mentioned in reason #2, you have to tailor these portfolios to the needs, passions, and beliefs of your clients. In other words, investment management offers you remarkably rewarding opportunities to develop and innovate, delivering solutions that make a true difference in individuals’ lives or in the way business and capital move forward.

Investment Management Is Satisfying

A great deal of what investment managers do involves solving problems. With each resolution and discovery, there’s satisfaction. Think of how it would feel to know that you recommended something that made money for one of your clients. Not only is there the knowledge that they benefited from your decision, but there’s the joy of knowing that after a lot of research and detective work, you picked a winner. Now imagine how it would feel to do that consistently over time. Of course, you won’t get it right every time. But even then, being wrong in investment management brings experience and expertise. If you think about it, that’s another type of satisfaction—having learned a lesson well.

Are you ready to learn more about this fascinating and satisfying career? If you think that a career in investment management is right for you, check out these resources that can help you get started.

• What is a Hedge Fund?
• What is a Hedge Fund Manager?
• How to Become a Hedge Fund Manager
• What is it like to Work at a Hedge Fund?
• Hedge Fund Manager Salaries

What Is a Hedge Fund?

What Is a Hedge Fund Manager?

How to Become a Hedge Fund Manager

Complete your education.

Complete a financial internship. 

Get an entry-level position in finance.

Choose a niche.

Earn your CFA charter. 

• What Is Investment Banking?
• About Investment Banking Analyst Jobs
• How to Get Investment Banking Analyst Jobs
• Investment Banking Analyst Salary
• Why Investment Banking?

About Investment Banking Analyst Jobs

What’s the Difference Between an Investment Banker and an Investment Banking Analyst? 

How to Get Investment Banking Analyst Jobs

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree

Complete an Investment Banking Internship

Register With FINRA and Pass Applicable Securities Exams

Why Investment Banking?

The CFA^® charter can be useful in a corporate finance career. Corporate finance includes implementing various strategies for corporate investment and increasing shareholder value. The CFA exam covers some corporate finance topics, such as portfolio management, working capital management, and more. This article explores the corporate finance roles for which earning the CFA charter is a good idea.

Research Analyst

Research analysts play an important and specific role in corporate finance, using a combination of mathematical processes and qualitative data to look for trends and patterns that can inform corporate investment and financial planning. They are able to process data and provide recommendations. The intelligence they gather is incredibly valuable to corporations, and 15 percent of CFA charterholders are research analysts. Many of them are in a corporate finance role.

Considering the CFA^® charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook for invaluable advice.

Corporate Financial Analyst

Corporate financial analysts use historic and qualitative data, microeconomics, and macroeconomics to uncover trends and patterns that enable them to make predictions and forecasts. In corporate finance, these analysts conduct research, provide advice, and are relied on as critical advisors in the process of making investment decisions. According to CFA Institute, 5 percent of those who hold the CFA charter have a corporate financial analysis role.

Equity Analyst

Equity analysts research and report how strong companies are in the securities market. Their focus is on stocks. The equity analysts who work in corporate finance research companies in their employers’ portfolios. Some equity analysts prepare reports that offer buy and sell recommendations to management. We were not able to find statistics for what percentage of CFA charterholders are equity analysts, but it is a valuable designation in this field.

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio managers in corporate finance are in charge of their company’s fund or group of funds. They spend their days working with analysts and researchers to stay current on the markets and business news that might affect their funds. They make decisions to buy and sell assets as the markets fluctuate. They look beyond surface information and make decisions for their companies based on expert insight and experience. CFA Institute reports that 22 percent of CFA charterholders are employed as portfolio managers. It is likely that part of that percentage of charterholders is in corporate finance.

Chief Financial Officer

CFOs are the head of corporate finance. Holding the CFA charter does not guarantee you’ll make it to the C-suite in corporate finance. CFA Institute says that approximately 7 percent of all the CFA charterholders are chief-level executives, but they do not specifically state whether they are CFOs, CEOs, CIOs, and so on. However, CFO positions are considered the pinnacle of finance achievement, so CFOs probably make up a great deal of that percentage.

In addition, if the CFO or someone in a senior corporate finance role is a CFA charterholder, holding the charter can be a big plus for you. If those with the responsibility of hiring or choosing analysts and managers in corporate finance hold the charter, they tend to look favorably on candidates or entry-level roles who have also earned it.

Ready to Learn How to Become a CFA^® Charterholder?

We have five good reasons why you should. If you’re planning to sit for the CFA exam, explore our CFA study materials.

Earning your CFA^® charter sets you up well for growth in your career as a finance professional. But what kind of salary can you earn? According to Payscale, in the United States, the CFA charterholder salary is anywhere from $64,234 to $255,000 a year. Why is there such a big range? Because there is a lot you can do with the charter in jobs with varying degrees of responsibility. Bonuses and years of experience make a difference, too. So let’s look at what the average salary is for some of the most common jobs for CFA charterholders.

Portfolio Manager Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

According to CFA Institute, 22% of CFA charterholders are employed as portfolio managers. CFA Society Chicago’s annual financial compensation survey reports that the median base annual salary for a fixed income portfolio manager is $132,500; and for an equities portfolio manager, it is $136,000.

Everything To Know About Being A Portfolio Manager >>

Research Analyst Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

In a survey compiled by CFA Institute,15% of global CFA charterholders said they were research analysts, responsible for analyzing mathematical processes and qualitative data to make future predictions. Payscale reports that CFA charterholders who are research analysts earn, on average, $73,954 a year.

Everything To Know About Being A Research Analyst >>

Chief-Level Executive Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

CFA Institute says that approximately 7% of all CFA charterholders in the world have made it to the C-suite. The most common titles for executives with the CFA charter are chief investment officer or chief financial officer. CFA Society Chicago says that chief investment officers with CFA charters have a median annual base salary of $227,500; for CFOs, Payscale says it’s $170,618.

Considering the CFA^® charter? Download this free Before You Decide to Sit for the CFA Exam eBook.

Consultant Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

Companies hire consultants to bring an independent expert perspective to business valuation, provide economic forecasts and analysis, and identify opportunities to grow shareholder value. The median base annual salary of CFA charterholders who work as consultants is $74,000, according to CFA Society Chicago.

Risk Manager Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

Financial risk managers help identify and assess potential risks that a company faces or could face in the future. CFA Society Chicago reports that CFA charterholders who work as risk managers have a median yearly base salary of $126,060.

Relationship Manager Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

Some CFA charterholders work to help their company maintain business relationships with partners and clients to prevent churn. These relationship managers average $120,000 a year, and they number about 5% of all CFA charterholders.

Financial Advisor Salary—With the CFA^® Charter

A small percentage of CFA charterholders are financial advisors, helping clients make decisions about investments, tax laws, and insurance product selection. On average, they earn a median base salary of $110,000.

Interested in Pursuing the CFA^® Charter?

Although earning the CFA designation does not guarantee you a job or a top position at a firm, it can make a difference when an employer is deciding between two otherwise equally qualified candidates. In that situation, the CFA charter could be your competitive advantage. Passing the CFA exam is your first step in earning the charter, and our CFA exam study materials can help.