CFA Scope and Job Opportunities in India and Abroad

The CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, is among the most sought-after courses, providing a prestigious certification. The Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) is a globally recognized professional qualification that equips you with a deep mastery of financial and investment analysis. Along with this, it lets you extend your expertise in fields like private wealth, corporate finance, asset management, investment banking, etc. The CFA charter is a globally recognized and acknowledged qualification across 160+ prominent countries, such as the US, UK, UAE, Germany, Singapore, Canada, and many others, allowing you to bag lucrative job prospects alongside increasing your credibility as a finance professional. 

Scope of CFA in India and Abroad 

The CFA course is a worthy credential; due to its global acknowledgment, the CFA professional certification has increased marketability, leading to higher pay scales. Moreover, the global recognition of the CFA certification allows you to pursue international opportunities, which eventually improves your earning potential. 

Scope of CFA in India 

The CFA course in India is gaining in value as the market expands across different sectors. The course provides students with expertise in equity valuation, risk management, and financial modeling, making them ideal candidates for investment roles. 

Top Industries Hiring CFA Professionals in India: 

• Investment Banks: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Stanley 
• Mutual Funds & Asset Management Companies: ICICI, SBI, HDFC 
• Wealth Management & Equity Firms: IIFL Wealth 
• Stockbroking: Credit Suisse 
• Fintech: Zerodha, Paytm

Scope of CFA Abroad

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course is a globally recognized professional certification course. It covers specific financial domains primarily regarding investment analysis, management, and the like. 

Top Industries Hiring CFA Professionals Abroad: 

• Investment Banks: Barclays, Citi Banks 
• Hedge Funds: BlackRock 
• Financial Consulting Firms: KPMG, EY 
• Pension & Wealth Funds: Canada Pension Plan

Job Opportunities After CFA 

The CFA qualification is in high demand globally. CFA professionals are known for their well-versed analytical skills and for adhering to ethical standards in investment analysis and portfolio management. Thus, leading employers from prominent finance and investment industries seek CFA candidates. 

Top Job Roles for CFA Candidates:

• Investment Banker: Manages Fundraising and corporate finance 
• Portfolio Manager: Manages investment portfolios for clients
• Equity Research Analyst: Analyzes stocks
• Risk Analyst: Evaluates financial risks 
• Wealth Manager: Comes up with wealth management strategies 
• Private Equity Analyst: Investment opportunities analysis 

Salary Breakdown for CFA in India & Abroad 

The average salary of a CFA in India is between INR 7 and 12 lakhs per year. The salary depends on location, experience, and industry. The salary of CFA Level 2 in India is comparatively higher, due to the level of knowledge and responsibility it comes with. 

CFA Salary in India

• Entry Level (0 - 2 years): The role of equity research analyst and junior banker salary ranges between INR 8 and 12 LPA. 
• Mid-Level (3-5 years): The role of risk manager, senior analyst, and portfolio manager salary ranges between INR 12-25 LPA. 
• Senior Level (7+ years): The Chief Investment Officer and head of Asset Management salary ranges between INR 25 and 50 LPA. 

CFA Salary in Abroad 

• In the USA & UK, Wall Street firms, hedge funds, and investment banks, the salary offered is between $80,000 and $200,000 per year. 
• In Singapore & UAE investment firms, sovereign wealth funds, and consulting firms offer $100,000+ per year. 

What to Do After CFA? 

Once done with the CFA certification, there are steps to follow in order to establish a career and land high-salary jobs. From learning the required tools to understanding the role completely and its applications, CFA course learning consists of certain steps to follow after the course ends. 

Here is a guideline on what to do after the CFA course ends: 

• Gain Practical Work Experience 
• Develop Financial Modeling skills 
• Develop a network with experts and attend seminars and group events 
• Enroll in additional certifications, like the FRM course. 

Read More About the CFA Course: 

• Can you Pass the CFA Levels by Self-Study?
• CFA Level 1 Eligibility Criteria 
• How to Prepare for the CFA Level 1 Exam? 
• CFA Course Fee Structure 2025

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ) 

Which course is better, CFA or FRM? 

Here is a table on CFA vs. FRM to help you understand better: 

 

CFA	FRM
Students with prior investment experience	People with a quantitative background
Investing and market basics	Statistical and mathematical foundations
Can be combined with FRM for an enhanced resume	Enhances job opportunities when combined with CFA
Can be combined with FRM for an enhanced resume	Microscopic examination of risk management in the CFA course

 

To learn more about the differences between CFA and FRM, refer to: CFA vs FRM 

Will CFA certification help get a job in India? 

Yes, however, some companies seek professionals with significant experience in finance roles; freshers can apply for roles like risk analysts, research analysts, or consulting firms.

What is the course duration of the CFA course? 

The CFA course has two levels, and it takes around 2-3 years to complete, with relatable work experience.