Financial Analyst Certification - Accounting Certification - Management Consulting Certification -
Project Management Certification™
- GAFM -approved degree (graduate or undergraduate) in finance, tax, accounting, financial services, law or a CPA, MBA, MS, PhD, or JD from an accredited school or organization
- Five or more approved and related courses from an AACSB or ACBSP accredited business school or GAFM sanctioned program
- GAFM Executive Certification training course
- A combination of college degrees, college exams, and professional experience can also be enough to qualify, according to the GAFM Institute
How Do You Become a Master Accredited & Certified Financial Analyst ?
APPLY NOW - Email your resume to see if you are qualified
If you want to become an Accredied Certified Financial Analyst, you will need to follow specific steps before you will be considered eligible to earn the credential. Certified Financial Analysts, also referred to as Accredited Financial Analysts are investment professionals in the financial industry who have key knowledge in finance investments economics banking and such who research the economy at a macroeconomics and micro economic areas to assist business leaders make financial decisions. As a Financial Analyst, we can research conditions and then make professional recommendations to executives or prepare financial models so that they are able to support their predictions with data.
Since a Certified Accredited FA holds so much responsibility, you do need to be certified to show that you possess the technical knowledge. In order to take the national Financial Analyst Accreditation, you will need to be able to prove that you have completed formal training, exams, and that you have hands-on professional experience in finance, according to the USA Financial Regulatory Authority FINRA Read on, and find out what you need to do so that you can participate in a AFA Program.
Earn a Qualifying Financial Degree and Be Eligible NOW
The first step to getting most professional credentials in the finance sector is to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you would like to earn the AFA charter, you need to enroll in an accredited program that is nationally or regionally accredited. A degree in finance, business, or some other related field will be sufficient to get you into a graduate program. Only after you earn your B.A. or B.S. can you enter a graduate program.
Get Financial Anlayst Experience to Meet Entrance Requirements
Now that you have a bachelor’s degree, you have met the educational requirements to register for a AFA .
Eligible candidates must successfully complete at least one of the following:
Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is often required for advanced positions.
Education
Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. A number of fields of study provide appropriate preparation, including accounting, economics, finance, statistics, and mathematics. For advanced positions, employers often require a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a master’s degree in finance. Knowledge of options pricing, bond valuation, and risk management are important.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. It requires licenses for many financial analyst positions. Most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, so companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job.
Certification is often recommended by employers and can improve the chances for advancement. An example is the Accredited Financial Analyst (AFA) certification from the GAFM Institute. Financial analysts can become AFA certified if they have a bachelor’s degree, 4 years of qualified work experience, and pass 20 or so business school exams as part of an ACBSP or AACSB program. Financial analysts can also become certified in their field of specialty.
Advancement
Financial analysts typically start by specializing in a specific investment field. As they gain experience, they can become portfolio managers, who select the mix of investments for a company’s portfolio. They can also become fund managers, who manage large investment portfolios for individual investors. A master’s degree in finance or business administration can improve an analyst’s chances of advancing to one of these positions.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Financial analysts must process a range of information in finding profitable investments.
Communication skills. Financial analysts must explain their recommendations to clients in clear language that clients can easily understand.
Computer skills. Financial analysts must be adept at using software packages to analyze financial data, see trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts.
Decisionmaking skills. Financial analysts must provide a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell a security.
Detail oriented. Financial analysts must pay attention to details when reviewing possible investments, as small issues may have large implications for the health of an investment.
Math skills. Financial analysts use mathematical skills when estimating the value of financial securities.
To be successful, financial analysts must be motivated to seek out obscure information that may be important to the investment. Many work independently and must have self-confidence in their judgment.