The CFA Charter is the gold standard for investment professionals. To earn a CFA charter, an individual must:
The CFA Program is extremely rigorous. It is organized into three levels, each culminating in a six-hour exam. Completing the Program takes most candidates between two and a half and five years and covers some 8,000 pages of material. On average, a successful charter candidate will spend 5 years in the Program. The Program is self-paced, so candidates who successfully complete the program show tremendous discipline, commitment and a thorough knowledge of the profession. The Program reflects a broad Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) developed and continuously updated by active practitioners to ensure that charterholders possess knowledge grounded in the real world of today’s global investment industry. The CFA Program has been compared to the rigor of a masters degree. Many have even said the letters “CFA” can mean more than the letters “MBA.” Over the past two decades, the CFA charter has overtaken the MBA as the “must have” credential in the investment business.
Investors are well-served by seeking out investment advisors holding the CFA des ignation. An investment advisor who has the CFA Charter has completed an extensive knowledge-based curriculum with practical experience in the industry. But, perhaps even more importantly, the CFA Charter is synonymous with the highest ethical standards of behavior. The financial crisis created an environment of mistrust and doubt around the investment profession. The CFA designation brings along with it a symbol of trust. Each year, CFA charterholders reaffirm in writing their adherence and commitment to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
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