A chartered financial analyst also known as a CFA is a professional that helps businesses and individuals choose the best investments to make. A CFA is one of the highest levels that you can reach in the accounting and business part of the field. This is one of the most important jobs that you can have within the financial field.

The main job of a chartered financial analyst is to help their clients to make good judgments when it comes to their portfolios. They perform these functions by checking through historical and current investment data to see if the investment would be a risk to the client or company that they work for. They also study this data and compare it with current economic trends. They also study the current business trends and compare all of this information. A large part of the job of a CFA is to look over all of the financial reports and data for the company. This will include all sales, salaries, expenses and taxes to have the complete picture of their clients finances and future economic statements. A CFA may also conduct meetings with the managers and head of staffing to get the full picture of the company and its employees. There is an extensive amount of reports that will need to be prepared as a part of this job.

The current national CFA salary is about $87,000 per year. This will depend on the type of place you work and how much experience you have. Also, certain states will also provide a higher than average CFA wage than other smaller states and cities may offer. The best CFA salary can be found in the following states: Washington, DC, California, Oregon, Connecticut and New York. The average CFA income in Washington, DC is around $95,000 per year. In California the average CFA salary is $101,000 per year. Oregon offers one of the highest salaries out there at $104,000 a year. The top two states to work in are Connecticut and New York. The salaries in these states range from $106,000 to $110,000 per year. Working in these states can ensure you a higher than average salary than other regions of the United States.

CFA Education Requirements:

If you have decided that a career as a CFA is the career for you, then you will need to spend several years on your training and education. The first step in your education will be to obtain a bachelors degree in either business or finance. This process will take the normal four years. Some employers may require a masters degree. Once you have graduated, you can take the CFA certification. In order to qualify for this graduate program you must have a bachelors degree or four years of experience. You will also need a valid passport and must also be able to sign the professional conduct and candidate responsibility statements. The program typically takes four years to complete. There are three exams that must be passed before you can earn your certification. Level One exam is offered in June and December and Level Two and Three are offered in June only. Fees for the exam run from $1100 to $1400 depending on when you register. Results are given within 90 days of the exam completion. Once you pass all three exams you have completed all of your education requirements.

CFA Work Environment:

As a CFA, you will work primarily in an office or business environment. Many certified financial analysts will work in small groups or in their own offices. The average work schedule of a CFA is often 60 or more hours a week, although some CFAs do have a traditional 40 hour per work week. There may be extensive travel and overtime hours required as a part of this job. More than half of all CFAs work in major financial centers and insurance agencies. There is a high level of pressure and stress as a part of this career. Also a lot of the research that must be done as a part of this job will be done after the normal office hours.

The financial sector has long been one of the best career fields to enter. Currently, it is a field that is doing very well. As of 2012, there are more than 230,000 people employed as CFAs. The career of a CFA also has a huge potential for jobs in the future. By the year 2018, there is an expected growth rate in the job market of around twenty two percent. What does this mean for the future of this career? It means that there will be more than 54,000 jobs added to the market. This means that by the time you complete all of the education requirements, there will be ample jobs for you to choose from.