It’s never been easier to get your CFA® certification. YouTubes launch of the CFA® program has resulted in a massive increase in interest in becoming a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA). The demand for quality professional financial analysis is as high now as it was when the first set of books were published in 1981. To ensure that those with an interest in financial analysis have access to top-notch education, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) launched its independent open source CFA program last year. Utilizing this framework, we are able to offer an entirely new way of learning about and preparing for the financial analysis profession: classes online. With 24 schools and hundreds of course options available, registering for classes online is no longer a small feat. Here’s what you need to know if you decide to take advantage of this new option.
CFA Institute: The Missing Manual – Step-by-Step Guide
The CFA Institute’s flagship program, The CFA® certification exam, is actually two exams in one: The Fundamentals of Financial Analysis and The Fundamentals of Financial Management. While The Fundamentals of Financial Analysis focuses on the nuts and bolts of investing and financial statement analysis, The Fundamentals of Financial Management is more focused on accounting and financial forecasting. Unlike popular perception, these are not competing certifications. They are actually part of the same program. To receive your CFA certification, you need to pass both the Investment Fundamentals and Financial Management exams. The Investment Fundamentals exam covers the basics of investing, including stock market basics, finance terms, and how to read financial statements. The Financial Management test is more focused on accounting and financial forecasting. Both the Investment Fundamentals and Financial Management exams are multiple-choice and measure your knowledge, as well as your ability to critically analyze information and use math and basic spreadsheet tools.
CFA Institute: Advanced Accounting & Finance Online Course
The CFA® Advance Online Course (AOC) is a 60-hour program that encompasses all the material found on the Fundamentals of Financial Analysis and Financial Management books. It’s designed to be completed in one year, which makes it easy to fit into your busy schedule. But, don’t go thinking this is a cheap, low-quality course. The AOC is one of the best financial education resources available today. The AOC is the most comprehensive online course to date, covering every aspect of finance. This 12-month program is packed with information and provides in-depth coverage of all topics covered in the books. The course includes multiple-choice exercises, case studies, and a final exam.
Takeaways
The CFA® certification program is more than a test. It’s an extensive journey that requires dedicated study and a strong work ethic. In order to succeed, it’s important to understand the material and test out new concepts regularly. While the test is not a degree, it’s a gateway to the profession. Once you pass the test, you need to start thinking about your career path. What is the next step? The knowledge, skills, and tools that you need to succeed as a financial analyst are available in the books, videos, and on the CFA Institute website. In order to maximize your learning experience, it’s important to understand the material and test out new concepts regularly. This means that there is no one-fits-all solution when it comes to becoming a financial analyst. You will need to do your own research and take lots of practice tests in order to reach your goals in cfa online courses.
