CFA Duration: After 12th, Graduation, BCom & CA

Did you know that one of the most renowned certifications for an individual wanting to make a career in finance and investments is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) hands down? Yes, you read it right.

This highly esteemed course provides access to a wide range of job opportunities in corporate finance, equity research, investment banking, and portfolio management. However, there are a few questions which we have noticed are asked by aspiring applicants and they are:

How long does the CFA course take to complete? The answer is dependent upon multiple factors, such as your educational background and the time you enrolled in the course.

This blog will discuss the CFA course time period following high school, graduation, BCom, and CA.

Understanding the CFA Program

The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute offers this program and it is a worldwide recognized certification that aims to provide applicants with useful skills in finance, investment management, ethics, and portfolio analysis, knowledge, and skills that are required in this industry.

Well, there are three levels in the CFA course:

Level I: This level emphasizes a fundamental understanding of finance and ethical principles.
Level II: Focuses on the valuation of assets, such as derivatives, stocks, and bonds.
Level III: Concentrates on wealth planning and portfolio management.

The objective of every CFA exam level is to gradually increase applicants’ level of difficulty in terms of both syllabus and complexity. You can earn the CFA charter certification after passing all three levels and meeting the requirement for work experience, which is four years of relevant experience.

Factors Affecting CFA Course Duration

The duration of the CFA Course is not rigidly fixed and is determined by a number of factors, including:

Educational Background: The preparation you do for each CFA level can be sped or slowed down based on your academic background.

Professional Experience: You may find certain sections easier to understand and spend less time preparing if you are currently employed in finance.

Study Pace: Depending upon the pace of learning, candidates should plan roughly 300 hours of study time for each exam level.

Exam Scheduling: While Level I examinations can be taken all year round by the CFA Institute, candidates must carefully plan for Levels II and III, which are taken less frequently.

Now, let’s explore how long it usually takes to finish the CFA program depending on various educational backgrounds.

CFA Course Duration – After 12th, Graduation, B.Com & CA

Well, the journey to be undertaken to achieve the CFA certification will vary depending on when you choose to begin your journey. The pace at which you can start and finish the CFA program may vary depending on your academic background. Read along to know everything about CFA course duration and fees.

CFA Course Duration After 12th

It is technically not possible to immediately begin the CFA program as soon as you finish your 12th grade. Candidates must either be in their final year of graduation or have finished it to be eligible for the CFA Institute. But after completing the 12th grade, students are eligible to undertake the following:

One Should Plan Graduation in Finance or a Similar Field: After their 12th grade, the majority of students choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or commerce in order to prepare well for the CFA program.
Start Early Preparation: To get a head start, you can spend your graduation years getting familiar with the CFA Level I syllabus.

Approximate Duration:

From 12th to Completing Graduation: 3 years. Then, start the CFA program in 2-3 years (depending on the completion of all three levels).

Total CFA Duration After 12th: About 5 to 6 years

CFA Course Duration After Graduation:

After obtaining the undergraduate degree, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a similar discipline are able to apply right away to the CFA program. These applicants find it easier to complete the CFA program because they can start studying for Level I immediately.

The CFA course time period for graduates is as follow:

Level I: CFA duration after graduation for Level I is 6-9 months of preparation. You are eligible to take the CFA Level I test in a year. There are no restrictions for level 1. After obtaining their degree, graduates can sign up for the earliest exam cycle that is available.

Level II: CFA course duration after graduation for Level II is 9-12 months of preparation. These are only taken once or twice a year, candidates should consider the date and time while deciding to appear for the exams.

Level III: Approximate CFA duration for Level III same as level II, that is 9-12 months of preparation as it requires intense and thorough study time.

Total Duration of CFA Course:
2-3 years (for all three levels), also based on when your exams are scheduled and how well you prepare.

CFA Course Duration After BCom

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree are ideally suited for the CFA program because many of the topics studied in the BCom curriculum are also included in the CFA curriculum. This makes them much more familiar with the CFA curriculum already. Given their background in corporate finance, economics, and financial accounting, BCom graduates may find their syllabus to be completed in less time as compared to other candidates with different educational backgrounds.

Here’s the CFA Time Duration for BCom Graduates:

Level I :
CFA duration after BCom for Level I is 6 months of preparation. BCom graduates’ academic background may make Level I relatively easy, which means they might finish Level I preparation faster.
Level II:
Approximate CFA duration for Level II is 9-12 months of preparation. These levels call for higher-level knowledge, which will take more time to prepare for than Level I, which concentrates on fundamental knowledge.
Level III:
Approximate CFA duration for Level III same as level II, that is 9-12 months of preparations. All three levels together will take roughly 2.5 to 3 years to complete.

CFA Course Duration After CA

Let us talk about CFA after ca duration. The CFA program can be completed faster for Chartered Accountants (CAs) after CA (Chartered Accountant). The advanced financial understanding, auditing techniques, and accounting principles students acquire through the CA certificate significantly support the CFA curriculum. This offers an edge over others in terms of completing the CFA program more quickly.

Here’s a Breakdown of the Chartered Financial Analyst Course Duration for CAs:

Level I Duration: CFA duration after CA for Level I is 4-6 months of preparation. CAs can finish Level I in less than 4-6 months and may find it to be fairly manageable.
Level II: Approximate CFA duration for Level II is 9 months of preparation. Since CAs are already well-versed in complex financial topics, they don’t need to spend much time getting ready for this level as they also find it easier than other candidates.
Level III: CFA course duration after CA for Level III is 9-12 months of preparations. The Chartered Financial Analyst Course Duration is roughly two to three years, which makes the CA + CFA combo highly sought after and time-effective.

Job Roles to Consider After CFA

Once you complete the CFA program, you will have access to an extensive range of career options in the financial industry. The following are a few well-known careers that CFA charterholders can pursue:

Portfolio managers: Manage client or institutional investment portfolios and make strategic decisions on the distribution of assets.
Equity Research Analyst: Examine financial accounts and stocks to make suggestions for investors.
Investment bankers: Support businesses with capital raising, mergers, and acquisitions.
Risk Management: A risk manager’s job is to identify and reduce a company’s or financial institution’s financial risks.
Corporate Financial Analyst: Provides financial strategy, forecasting, and budgeting advice to companies.
In the finance sector, these positions are in great demand since they provide profitable career pathways and room for growth.

Leading Companies that Hire CFAs

Candidates with CFA charters are highly sought after in a variety of fields, such as investment banking, asset management, and consulting. Among the top businesses that employ CFA charterholders are:

Goldman Sachs: This organization is widely known for its asset management and investment banking, Goldman Sachs regularly employs CFAs for positions as senior analysts and portfolio managers.
JP Morgan Chase: Renowned for its investment banking and risk management divisions, JP Morgan Chase is a worldwide leader in the financial services industry and values CFA specialists.
BlackRock: They hire CFA charterholders since it is one of the biggest asset management companies in the world. They usually hire for roles in research and portfolio management.
Deloitte: One of the esteemed firms in this industry, Deloitte employs CFAs for an array of positions, including consulting and financial advisory.
Citigroup: CFAs work for Citigroup in asset management, corporate finance, and investment banking.

Who Should Pursue the CFA Course?

For those who want to pursue careers in investment management, corporate finance, equities research, or any other sector where having a thorough understanding of financial markets and investment techniques is crucial, the CFA program is excellent.

It is particularly suitable for specialists in finance who want to make progress in this industry.
recent graduates in business, economics, or finance.
CAs, or chartered accountants, who wish to obtain yet another respected certification.
those looking for financial career opportunities abroad.
CFA offers a competitive edge in the international financial markets and is widely acknowledged throughout the world.

Conclusion

The CFA program can significantly widen your career opportunities and possibilities in finance and investments. It is a challenging but very rewarding path. The Chartered Financial Analyst Course Duration also depends on various factors as when you commence your CFA journey and your educational background. The CFA program provides an opportunity to prominent positions in the financial industry, irrespective of your background be it a high school graduate, a graduate, a BCom holder, or a CA. It is possible to complete the CFA program in two to three years with proper planning and dedication, opening up opportunities for enriching careers around the world.