Introduction: The economic liberalizations has brought drastic changes in the corporate environment. Specialization has become, the need of the hour. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) though is a relatively new field, it has assumed significant importance in the changing business scenario. Their work primarily focuses on the financial analysis. To meet the changing requirements of the financial sector, CFA programme has been designed and conducted by various Institutes. The programme is more of a practitioner's course. It imparts trainning in the fields of corporate finance, investment management and financial services. The programme is better suited for executives who want to enhance their skills in the field of finance.

Career Prospects: The openings available to CFA degree holders are in Banking, Insurance, Corporate Sectors and Finance, Leasing Companies. Even organisations like Railways, Reserve Bank of India and Financial Institutions like ICICI, IDBI, IFCI and UTI have given due recognition to the CFA programme. 

Nature of Work: The CFA programme imparts enough knowledge and expertise in the finance fields and those having undergone this programme have an edge over others. The areas of work for CFAs are as follows.

1. CORPORATE FINANCE: Necessary technical skills and knowledge imparted in the CFA programme in fields of corporate finance, like Indian Financial System, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Management, Advanced Financial Management, and International Management adds to the advantage of CFAs in disposing of their duties and responsibilities.
2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT: Investment management is an analytical subject. To manage investments, requires thorough knowledge of the subject. The CFA programme takes care of all these needs and covers important aspects of the subject including, Economics, Quantitative Techniques, Economic Legislations for the Securities Industry and Security Evaluation Techniques.
3. FINANCIAL SERVICES: The CFA programme being a specialization programme in finance helps CFAs to foray into financial services like Leasing, Hire Purchasing, Project Planning, Issue Management, Credit Rating, Venture Capital etc.

Personality: Unlike other finance and accounts related professions like Chartered Accountancy, Cost Accountancy, MBAs and Company Secretary ship, the very basic requirement for a CFA is to have good numerical ability. CFAs should have a logical approach so that the facts and figures are interpreted accurately. The work involves critical analysis of data, therefore a methodical approach helps in efficient handling of matters. Awareness about the economic conditions and up to date knowledge of the financial policies and legislations are also important for them.