Join or Renew

Application Process

1. Go to cfainstitute.org and create a new user account.

2. Determine the membership type that is best for you and apply. Note that Regular Membership is required for award of the CFA Charter. To become an Associate member, follow the instructions for Affiliate membership.

3. Once your application is approved, activate your Regular or Affiliate membership by logging into your user account at cfainstitute.org to file your professional conduct statement and pay dues to CFA Society Orange County ($150) and the CFA Institute ($275). To activate an Associate or Student membership, please contact the Membership Committee at [email protected] once your application has been approved. Associate and Student members will be provided with an invoice for society dues ($150 and $75, respectively) which can be paid by mailing  a check payable to "CFA Society Orange County" to 4533 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 182, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

Membership Categories

CFA Society Orange County offers four categories of membership, Regular, Affiliate, Associate, and Student. The major differences are voting rights (Regular members) and eligibility to serve as a board member (Regular, Affiliate, and Student members).

Dues
Current CFA Society Orange County annual dues are $150, with the exception of the Student Membership which is offered at a discounted rate of $75 and requires 10 volunteer hours to the OC society per fiscal year. In addition, Regular and Affiliate members must pay annual dues of $275 to the CFA Institute.

Learn More About...
Membership requirements 
Work experience guidelines 
Professional references - References can be found by attending society events or by contacting the Membership Committee for introductions.
FAQs

Regular Charter Membership

This membership type is recommended for candidates in the CFA program and required for award of the CFA Charter.

Requirements

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience
  • Pass Level I of the CFA exam or pass the self-administered Standards of Practice exam
  • Have 48 months of acceptable work experience
    Provide professional reference statements
  • Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and the Professional Conduct Statement
Membership Period: July 1 - June 30
Fees: $425
CFA Institute - $275 
CFA Society Orange County - $150

Apply>>

Affiliate Membership

​This membership type is recommended for professionals who do not intend to participate in the CFA Program or those who otherwise do not qualify for Regular membership.

 
Requirements
  • Provide professional reference statements
  • Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and the Professional Conduct Statement
Membership Period: July 1 - June 30
Fees: $425
CFA Institute - $275 
CFA Society Orange County - $150

Apply>>

Become A Member

Brand new members
Click here to join CFA Society Orange County and the CFA Institute.

 
Already a CFA Institute member?
Click here to join CFA Society Orange County.

Are you a member of another society?
Click here to add CFA Society Orange County or change your affiliation. Note you can be a member of more than one society.
 
Not in the CFA Program but would like to apply for membership?
Click here to join CFA Society Orange County and the CFA institute.

For more information, please email [email protected]

Associate Membership

​

This society level membership is available to students and candidates in the CFA Program. Associate members must fulfill requirements consistent with Affiliate membership but are not required to become members of the CFA Institute.

Requirements

  • Provide professional reference statements
  • Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and the Professional Conduct Statement
Membership Period: 1-year post application approval 
Fees: $150

Apply>>

Student Membership

This society level membership is available to students at local southern California universities who are looking to make their first introduction to the finance industry. Student members must fulfill unique volunteer requirements and are not required to become members of the CFA Institute.

Requirements

  • Provide an academic reference statement from current finance/economics professor
  • Commit to a minimum of 10 volunteer hours per society fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
  • Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement and the Professional Conduct Statement​
Membership Period: 1-year post application approval 
Fees: $75

Apply>>

Society Profile