Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional programme in Financial Management and Analysis offered through distance learning as:
Accelerated CFA Programme (2 years)
Eligibility criteria is that the candidate should be a Graduate or Management student or a working executive and professional. Graduates from any discipline with 50 per cent or above marks and a minimum of 18 years of age are eligible to enroll in the CFA Programme, apart from Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants and Company Secretaries. Candidates of the regular CFA Programme are eligible to appear for the examinations
The CFA programme is offered on a distance-learning basis and is open to all those applicants who satisfy the eligibility criteria. There is no Admission Test for enrolling. As the CFA Programme is offered on a distance learning basis, admission is open throughout the year.The ICFAI University provides comprehensive study package specially designed for independent study and provides an opportunity to the candidates to attend training classes at scheduled centers.
There is also an executive program which is offered to Graduates (any discipline)
Final Level students of CA, CWA, CS and other PG and CAs, CWAs, Company Secretaries and other Postgraduates (any discipline). Working Executives, Entrepreneurs, Bankers, Civil Servants, Consultants, provided they are graduates.
The CFA Programme has four focus areas: Corporate Finance, International Finance, Investment Management and Financial Services.
All candidates who enroll into the CFA Programme will be provided guidance in career planning. Through workshops and other career guidance support, the CFA candidates will be helped to increase their placement potential.
The openings available to CFA degree holders are in Banking, Insurance, Corporate Sectors and Finance, Leasing Companies. Even organisations like Railways, Reserve Bank of India and Financial Institutions like ICICI, IDBI, IFCI and UTI have given due recognition to the CFA programme.
But if you compare it with American CFA program, ICFAI course is customized for Indian market and does not provide an international view the way American CFA does. All the I-Banks and PE firms prefer US CFA because of the global acceptance. US CFA has more credibility in the international corporate world. So if you can pursue it from America, it would be better otherwise ICFAI CFA is also fine as it would be more cost effective to do it from here.
Hope that helps
CareerAge Counselor
