Most integral part while deciding your post graduate course is, why choose this over the others? What prospects does this course open and does it align with my financial goals? Well let’s discuss what CFA course brings on the table for you.
As the name suggests, a Chartered Financial Analyst is obviously the one who is looked out for the cream jobs in the financial industry. The scope of CFA course covers everything that revolves around money, from procurement to management to due diligence. CFA coaching classes provide a holistic training to the candidates and prepare them to excel in all these areas of employment.
CFA in India is getting popular with every passing day. Out of the multiple reasons, one major reason is the upside scope of the financial industry in India. With the surety of absorption in the growing financial industry, CFA in India is attracting many candidates.
Best part about CFA course is that you are acknowledged right after clearing CFA Level 1. As and when one completes levels, they move up the ladder in the financial world. A CFA Level 1 pass out, most likely bags the role of an accountant or assistant accounting manager, investment administrator, intern, investment product analyst, fund analyst and junior equity research analyst. This gives the candidates an opportunity to move up into the field of their choice once they complete CFA level 2 and 3.
Clearing level 2 will march you into research and analytics side of capital market. From back office or operations, one can move up the ladder into equity research, wealth management or analytics or similar to sell side research model. The profiles that open up for a CFA level 2 candidate may include equity research associate/ analyst, risk analyst, fixed income research, rating analyst in rating agency, financial Planning and Analysis (FPA), corporate strategy to name a few.
Clearing CFA level 3, ensures your seat at the cream jobs of the financial industry. Every job profile, right from procuring money, managing it, investing it, investigating it to divesting it, comes under one’s scope of operations. People with previous experience can move up in the same area of operation and those new at the game can still claim an impressive starting point. Investment banker, portfolio manager, risk manager, market research analyst, private bankers, are some profiles you are directly eligible for after completing CFA level 3.
Every job stated above comes with a handsome compensation. According to the CFA institute website, for portfolio managers, one of the most common roles for CFA charterholders, a 2019 CFA Institute compensation study found a typical self-reported total compensation of US$126,000 as base salary. Adding any bonuses, and long-term incentives, drives this compensation up to US$177,000.
Apart from the compensation, the major incentive that drives a CFA charterholder is the continuous touch with the subject. An application of a mix of topics on a day to day basis, and the need to be updated keeps the person on toes. Not to mention the networking opportunities which these jobs provide, helps you thrive in the industry longer and with the scope of change. Thus making their job fun, exciting, challenging and satisfying.
If none of the above interests you, you can always open a CFA coaching institute. What better way to give back what you have taken from the world of knowledge? For me, preparing and watching new candidates conquer the world of finance, is the most satisfying job of my entire career. It lets me live the dream with a prospective CFA and take a new journey to success with every candidate.
