CFA Course Syllabus is the map guide of one of the world’s finest finance certification courses. The objective is Chartered Financial Analyst certification, and what the CFA syllabus breakdown explains in depth and the systematically created learning process are mandatory. CFA charter is a very sought-after certificate granted by the CFA Institute and investment and finance professionals. With its demanding syllabus and three stages of exam, the CFA program examines a candidate’s knowledge in terms of investment recommendation and managing investments.
Irrespective of the level of CFA you want to target, CFA level-wise syllabus knowledge and a good CFA study plan can actually benefit you. We will learn CFA course syllabus level-wise and provide a strategic study plan of CFA in this tutorial so that you are able to complete it.
What is the CFA Program?
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional certification provided by the CFA Institute. It is extremely valued among finance professionals and is globally recognized for its emphasis on portfolio management, financial analysis, and ethics. There are over 1,90,000 CFA charterholders and over 160 CFA societies worldwide. It is a gold standard of finance.
CFA Course Structure and Duration
The CFA course is divided into three levels:
- Level I: Looks for fundamental knowledge and comprehension of finance ideas and products.
- Level II: Looks for application and examination of finance ideas.
- Level III: Looks for planning and accumulation of riches by means of portfolio management.
All levels are of approximately 6 months duration and is through multiple-choice and item-set type of questions.
CFA Course Syllabus Breakdown (Level-wise)
CFA Level I Syllabus:
The concepts and comprehension of investment tool ideas are needed for Level I examination.
- 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
CFA Level II Syllabus:
Level II exam is of analytical nature and asset valuation is its core focus area.
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Quantitative Methods
- Economics
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Equity Investments
- Fixed Income
- Derivatives
- Alternative Investments
- Portfolio Management
CFA Level III Syllabus:
Level III exam is all about portfolio management and wealth.
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Behavioral Finance
- Private Wealth Management
- Institutional Investors
- Capital Market Expectations
- Asset Allocation
- Fixed Income and Equity Portfolio Management
- Risk Management
- Derivatives and Alternative Investments
- Trading, Monitoring, and Rebalancing
- Performance Evaluation
CFA Study Plan: Level-Wise Strategy
1. CFA Level I Study Plan:
- Time: 300 hours in 6 months
- Learning formulas, definitions, and concepts
- Ethics, FRA, and Quantitative Methods as priority areas
- Flashcards and MCQs practice
2. CFA Level II Study Plan:
- Time: 350-400 hours in 6 months
- Application and analysis through case studies
- Practice item-set questions
- Equity and FRA as priority areas
3. CFA Level III Study Plan:
- Time: 350-400 hours in 6 months
- Focus on essay questions and portfolio management
- Read the exam format carefully
- Practice past exams and mock papers
Best Way to Study for CFA
- Develop a study plan on day-to-day basis
- Utilize CFA Institute’s curriculum and prep firms
- Take online classes or CFA societies to learn from others
- Mock tests at regular intervals
- Focus on weak areas and refer them again and again
CFA Preparation Strategy Tips
- Study in advance and on a regular basis
- Refer more than one study material source: books, videos, question banks
- Practice and revise in mock using last month
- Study group for ideas and clearing doubts
- Don’t ignore Ethics—it can break or make your result
Career Opportunities After CFA
CFA charter provides access to a range of finance careers:
- Financial Analyst
- Credit Research Analyst
- Quantitative Analyst
- Investation Analyst
- Risk Analyst
- Equity Research Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Investment Banker
With a record breaking average rise in salary by 192%, the CFA qualification is totally worth all the effort.
FAQs: CFA Course Syllabus and Study Plan
Q1. What are the areas discussed under the CFA course syllabus?
Ethics, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting, equity, fixed income, derivatives, and portfolio management are areas discussed under the CFA syllabus.
Q2. How many study hours do I need to commit to CFA?
You are required to study 300–400 hours level-wise depending upon your knowledge regarding the CFA exam subjects and experience.
Q3. Should I pursue a job simultaneously while preparing for the CFA exam?
Yes, most of the candidates do work full time while preparing for CFA. But there needs to be systematic planning of studying on a day-to-day basis.
Q4. Where is it most challenging at the CFA level?
Level II is most challenging for most of the candidates because it is analytical and item-set question type.
Q5. Is CFA better than an MBA if I am in finance?
Both are excellent, but CFA is better if you are applying for specialist finance roles and is cheaper than an MBA.
Q6. How do I prepare for mock exams for CFA?
Take practice exams under timed conditions and review your performance to identify weak spots.
Q7. How to pass CFA exam and what are pass rates for the CFA exam?
With consistent practice and proper guidance through the right course, you can crack the exam. Pass rates vary: Level I ~36%, Level II ~45%, Level III ~56% (current figures).
Conclusion
CFA study course syllabus is too rigorous and requires increased commitment to succeed. But, one can attempt each level through correct planning approach and proper CFA study roadmap. If future finance analyst or even currently engaged so with motive to reskill, your magic wand to gain flourishing professional life career in world’s international financial universe is getting certified with the CFA badge.
The key to passing is consistence, great time management ability, and through familiarity with all. Utilization of professional guidance, utilization of study material approved by the CFA, and practice on practice exams can greatly improve your passage chances.
Begin your CFA journey today and initiate high-impact finance careers around the world. Investment, analysis, and wealth management are yours to attain.