Blog & Insights

Level I covers the foundations of finance with a significant emphasis on the analytical tools, especially accounting and quantitative techniques. Although the depth of these topics may seem challenging, the benefit to candidates is the ability to “uncook the books” and get behind the published numbers.

Level II is often seen as the toughest technical level of the CFA® Program, however with a solid grounding from Level I this next step is immensely rewarding.

The final stage of the CFA Program, Level III has a strong focus on wealth planning and portfolio management. Some of the analytical subjects (accounting and quants in particular) drop from the curriculum, much to the disappointment of many candidates! Instead, you will investigate in detail the requirements and psychology of investors, with asset valuation being primarily from a portfolio perspective: how do shares, bonds, derivatives and alternatives help us to achieve a client’s objectives?