Chartered Financial Analysts - CFA

About The Programme

Objectives
The ICFAI Approach
For Whom
The CFA Program Structure

Regular CFA Program (3 years)

Accelerated CFA Program (2 years)

About The Programme

The CFA Program

The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India launched the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA)
Program in 1985. Over the years, the CFA Program has attracted enrollments from a cross section of
students interested in careers in financial management and analysis.

A Unique and Broad-based Program

The CFA Program is unique in that it addresses the broader financial and managerial issues in the areas
of Corporate Finance, International Finance, Investment Management and Financial Services.

The CFA Program offered by ICFAI has been developed and is constantly reviewed in the context of the
present and future needs of the corporate sector, the investment industry and the financial services
sector.

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Objectives

The CFA Program is a postgraduate professional program with the following broad objectives :

 To impart thorough knowledge of concepts in Corporate Finance, International Finance,

Investment Management and Financial Services.
 To improve the ability to develop a framework for financial analysis and to rationally evaluate
alternatives for purposes of decision-making.
 To deepen insights into practical applications of financial analysis in a dynamic business
environment.
 To develop appreciation of the interface between financial analysis and other areas like
economics, management, investments, financial markets, international finance, financial services
and corporate strategy.
 To encourage future finance professionals to equip themselves with the latest IT tools and
techniques.
 To develop a new body of knowledge and skill-set and make them available for those seeking
challenging careers in the new era of liberalization and globalization.
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The ICFAI Approach

The CFA Program follows seven distinctive but inter-related approaches :

Theoretical studies aimed at improving candidates' understanding of certain fundamental phenomena and
relationships underlying the changing world.

Applied studies linking the theoretical studies to the practical problems faced by managers.

Practical exposure to industry practices takes place through a variety of activities like training under
practice school program, project work, management development programs, seminars, conventions etc.

Global Perspective to business by encouraging the candidates to appreciate and get exposed to the
international business environment and practices.

IT Orientation by providing a strong focus on information technology and its linkage with finance.

E-Business Framework aimed at encouraging the candidate to deepen their understanding of financial
management and analysis in the era of E-Business leading to virtual delivery of financial services.

Ethical Focus aimed at inculcating in the candidates an ethical approach in their professional interactions
and a sense of personal, corporate, and social responsibilities.

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For Whom

 Candidates looking for a long-term career as a finance professional to work in the industry
(corporate/financial services/banking sectors) or to set up independent practice/consulting.
 Professionals like Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Company Secretaries who are keen
on building a hard core finance career or those who are interested in updating themselves in
finance.
 MBAs and other management professionals who would like to specialize in finance or would like
to have a strong grounding in finance which would help them in performing their general
management functions better.
 Graduates interested to build a career in finance.
 Candidates pursuing full-time postgraduate programs in management.
 Working executives seeking enhanced career mobility and prospects in the area of finance.
 Banking professionals who want to upgrade their knowledge.
 Academicians and those in the teaching profession who are keen to update their knowledge in
the areas of finance.

Two Formats

The CFA Program is offered on a distance learning basis through study and examinations in the following
two formats :
The Regular CFA Program (3 years)
The Accelerated CFA Program (2 years)

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The CFA Program Structure

Marks
Level/Group/Subject
Allotted
CFA Level I (DBF)  
 
Group Alpha
Financial Accounting
Economics  200
200
Group Beta  
Quantitative Methods 200
Financial Management  200
Group Gamma  
Management Accounting 200
Economic Legislation 200
Total (A) 1200

CFA Level II (ADF)  

Group Delta    
Security Analysis 200
International Finance and Trade 200
Group Epsilon    
Financial  Risk Management 200
Project Management 200
Group Kappa
 
Portfolio Management & Mutual Funds
200
Investment Banking & Financial
200
Services
Total (B) 1200

CFA Level III (PGDFA)  

Group Lambda    
Strategic Financial Management  200
Management of Financial Institutions 200
  
Group Sigma  
Integrated Case Studies
200
Group Theta  
Mergers & Acquisitions 200
Financial Control & Information Systems 200
Total (C) 1000
Grand Total (A+B+C) 3400
Note:The examination for each Subject is of 6 hours duration. Each subject has two Papers of 3 hours
each. Examinations are conducted in  the morning session  (3 hours) and the afternoon session (3 hours).