The Full form of CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA is formerly known as Association for Investment Management and Research (or AIMR). It is a post-graduate professional qualification offered internationally by the American-based CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals. It is considered as the highest level of legal and regulatory recognition internationally of finance-related qualifications.
The program of CFA covers a wide range of topics relating to advanced security and investment analysis, statistics, derivatives, probability theory, fixed income, economics, alternative investments, financial analysis, corporate finance, and portfolio management, and also provides generalist knowledge of other areas of finance. It is one of the most recognized career options for security and investment professionals, and a highly sought-after designation in finance; considered as a gold standard in the field of investment analysis.
To become a Chartered Financial Analyst, the candidates are required to clear all the three levels of CFA Exam. So, the course is completed in 3 levels; Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and the duration of this course is around 1.5 years. After the successful completion of the course, the students are awarded the certificate of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). All of the exams are conducted once in a year and in the month of June, except level I, as it can also be taken in December.