CFA Program

CFA Program Information

Overview

Administered by CFA Institute, the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) Program is a graduate-level, self-study curriculum and examination program for investment professionals.

Established in 1962, the CFA Program sets the global standard for investment knowledge, standards, and ethics. Earning the credential can serve as a passport to entry or advancement within the investment profession around the world. The designation tells clients, employers, and colleagues that the charterholder has mastered a rigorous curriculum covering a broad range of investment topics and that he or she is committed to the highest ethical standards in the profession.

Our society, CFA Society Greece, encourages investment professionals to earn the CFA charter and supports candidates by sponsoring CFA exam study groups and other programs. Most of our members hold the esteemed CFA designation.

CFA Program

The CFA Program includes a series of three exams; Levels I, II, and III. The exams:

Are offered annually — at test centers around the world — usually on the first Saturday in June. The Level I exam is also offered in December (no test center in Greece).
Must be passed sequentially.
Are available in English only.

The curriculum is organized into ten general topic areas that provide a framework for making investment decisions:

I.             ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

II.            QUANTITATIVE METHODS

III.           ECONOMICS

IV.           FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS

V.            CORPORATE FINANCE

VI.           EQUITY INVESTMENTS

VII. FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS

VIII. DERIVATIVES

IX.           ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS

X.            PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND WEALTH PLANNING

How Long Does it Take?

For each exam level, plan on at least six months of preparation
Successfully complete the three exams sequentially and accumulate 48 months of approved work experience
Successful candidates take an average of four years to complete the program

Benefits of Earning the CFA Charter

REAL-WORLD EXPERTISE. Demonstrate your fluency with an advanced investment management and analysis curriculum that leverages current best practices and the experience of practitioners around the world to bridge real-world practices and theoretical knowledge.

CAREER RECOGNITION. Stand out in the competitive global industry and gain instant credibility with peers, employers, and clients who know the hard work, intelligence, and profound commitment it takes to earn the charter.

ETHICAL GROUNDING. Learn to apply ethical principles and gain a foundation in the skills needed to demonstrate a commitment to high standards of accountability and integrity that build a trusted reputation.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY. Join a vast professional network of more than 135,000 charterholders worldwide and gain unmatched career resources, important relationships, and lifelong insights.

EMPLOYER DEMAND. Some of the top global employers of charterholders are JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch, UBS, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, and Citigroup.

Regular activities organized by the Training & Scholarships Committees
of CFA Society Greece

Activity	Announcement expected in
CFA Institute Society Scholarships Program	March - April
CFA Society Greece Review Course complementing the candidates’ preparation	October
Practice Exam in collaboration with the Boston Security Analysts Society (BSAS)	May

Learn More

Visit the CFA Institute website for more information on the exam, fees and dates.