The question, “Can I do CFA after 12th?” keeps arising in students who intend to pursue a career in finance. You can pursue a CFA in the last year of your graduation; taking the CFA course right after the 12th is impossible. The minimum eligibility for CFA is an undergraduate qualification or bachelor’s degree from a renowned university. However, this does not mean you cannot start preparing for CFA early in your academic journey. The right course after the 12th can prepare you for the CFA program. Hence, enrolling in courses that include commerce, economics, or finance can enhance your preparation for the CFA program. Here in this detailed guide, we will explore whether you can do CFA after the 12th standard and how you can prepare for CFA after the 12th standard.
What is CFA Course?
The CFA is one of the most popular professional certifications in the financial and investment world. The program is affiliated with the CFA Institute, based in the USA and recognized all around the globe. It is for investment management, financial analysis, and advisory services professionals. The CFA program covers an array of topics relevant to the modern finance professional, such as:
- Investment analysis and portfolio management
- Corporate finance and governance
- Equity and fixed income analysis
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Derivatives, alternative investments, and risk management
- Ethics and professional standards
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Levels of Exams | Three (Levels I, II, III); must pass all three |
| Minimum Time to Complete | 1.5 years if all levels cleared at first attempt; typically 2-4 years |
| Global Recognition | Highly recognized in major financial centers like New York, London, Singapore, and Mumbai |
| Curriculum Focus | Emphasis on hands-on investment and portfolio management, practical understanding of financial markets |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree or 2nd-year undergraduate student |
| Course Duration | 3-5 years, varies |
| Exam Pattern | Varies according to levels |
| Course Fees | Registration fee + Enrollment fee + Exam fee |
| Additional Costs | Rescheduling fee: USD 250, plus exam and tax fees |
Can I Do CFA After the 12th?
Most students think they can attend the CFA program after completing their 12th standard. However, one needs to remember that there are eligibility criteria for registering for the Level I exam of the CFA exams. To answer the question, “Can I do CFA after 12th?” the short answer would be no, but let’s break it down further.
CFA Eligibility Requirements After 12th
To be eligible for CFA Level I, candidates should satisfy one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Final Year of Undergraduate Course: all applicants who have completed the final year of undergraduate course should register.
- Professional Work Experience: Alternatively, applicants can have 4,000 hours of professional work experience, approximately 3-4 years.
However, these stringent requirements help ensure that students entering the program possess a more than adequate grounding in education or work-related experience to withstand the challenging CFA curriculum, for financial concepts run very deep.
How to Do CFA After 12th?
Although you cannot join the CFA program after completing the 12th, here are some strategic steps you can undertake to prepare yourself for the CFA journey.
- Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree: Pursue a degree like B. Com, BBA in Finance or BA in Economics. These degrees will provide a good ground for your CFA study as they will contain modules with a curriculum that covers accounting, economics, and financial management, among others.
- Explore Internships: Seeking to complete finance-related internships related to investment banking, asset management, or financial analysis during college will give a real-world application of the concepts learned during degree work.
- Build knowledge of finance: Start reading books, financial journals, and research articles on investment management, economics, and financial markets. Familiarize yourself with the core concepts like valuation, equity markets, and ethical standards.
- Start Preparing for CFA: Although one can still not register for the CFA exams, the best thing to do is start a course of preparation for Level I using the prep materials and resources available.
Can I Do CFA After 12th Commerce Without Maths?
Yes, you may pursue CFA after 12th commerce even if you have not studied mathematics. However, you would require doing that to pursue the CFA program, which is predominantly focused on finance, economics, and investment management concepts. Nonetheless, a basic knowledge of statistics and some elementary quantitative methods would be helpful in subsequent levels of the CFA program.
CFA Salary & Duration
The CFA designation is highly coveted in the finance industry, especially since you will land a career rich with high salaries. The CFA salary varies widely on experience, geographic location, and specific industry. Let’s now look at the expected salary range and the time it will take to complete your CFA program.
Duration of CFA Program After 12th
- The minimum time to finish the CFA program is 1.5 years, considering that the candidate has cleared each level in the very first attempt, though most candidates take about 2-4 years to complete all three levels of the CFA program.
- Candidates must also complete at least 4,000 hours of professional work experience and pass all three exams to obtain the CFA charter.
The level I and II exams are done by sitting twice a year, whereas the level III exam is taken annually. This format will allow candidates to carry out their studies in phases as they work or carry on at another learning institution.
CFA Salary After 12th
- CFA Salary Worldwide: The salary of a CFA charter holder varies with experience and location. Regarding location, CFA professionals receive around $ 100,000 – $300,000 a year, which is relatively high in places like the USA, the UK, and Singapore.
- Salary in India: Salary prospects for the CFA charter holders in India are also good. The fresher can expect an amount from ₹6 lakhs up to ₹12 lakhs per annum. Salaries increase significantly with a couple of years of experience, going as high as ₹20 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs, depending on the senior positions, which may be investment banking, portfolio management, and equity research.
[quillforms id=”489″ width=”100%” ]
CFA Exam Difficulty After 12th
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams are known to be tough, as the pass rates at every level demonstrate the intensity and depth of the course. Every level complements the learning of the previous one, requiring full understanding and use.
| Level | Focus | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Investment tools and ethical standards | 40-45% |
| Level II | Financial analysis and valuation techniques | 45-50% |
| Level III | Portfolio management and wealth planning | 50-55% |
Candidates usually spend around 300 hours of study per level to adequately prepare. This heavy preparation is reflective of the richness of the content as well as the dedication that is needed to excel. Every level of the program increases incrementally in terms of complexity so that those with the CFA charter have an in-depth and applied knowledge of sophisticated investment analysis and portfolio management techniques.
Can I DO CFA After 12th FAQs
Is it possible to do CFA after completion of 12th commerce without maths?
Yes, you can do CFA after 12th commerce with or without maths. However, basic mathematical calculations and workings knowledge will help deal with certain parts of the CFA curriculum.
What is the CFA salary in India?
A salary for a fresher who has just joined in India can be between ₹6 lakhs and ₹12 lakhs; Experience level: up to ₹20 lakhs or above, based on the job and the industry.
Can I do CFA after CA?
Yes, most CA graduates prefer to opt for CFA to develop their financial analysis and investment management capabilities. CA and CFA are in great demand in the corporate finance and investment circles.
Can I write CFA immediately after graduation?
Yes, you can register for the CFA Level I exam after graduation. You can even register in the final year of your undergraduate program.
How long does it take to complete the CFA program?
It takes around 2-4 years on average to complete all three levels of the CFA program, assuming that one attempts each level and passes the level on the first attempt itself.
