No, passing Level I of the CFA Program does not make you a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). You are considered a CFA charterholder only after passing all three levels, meeting professional work experience requirements, and joining the CFA Institute. Passing Level I shows proficiency but does not award the designation.
For example, once you have earned your CFA Level I and are preparing for the Level II exam, you should state, "Earned CFA Level I; CFA Level II Candidate (Exam Date: Dec. 2023)." You may not use the CFA letters after your name until you have passed all three exams and have earned official CFA Charterholder status.
There is no certification for having passed any exam, just for receiving the charter. Nonetheless, what you get is a badge from Basno, which will contact you within the next few weeks.
Listing CFA Level One in the education section of the resume
Write "Chartered Financial Analyst." Include a hyphen and "Passed Level 1" next to it with the year you earned the qualification.
Work experience requirements
Your experience should involve evaluating or applying financial, economic, and/or statistical data as part of the investment decision-making process; supervising those who conduct such activities; or teach such activities.
Passing the CFA Level I exam can help you get an entry-level finance job, such as intern, accountant, or investment analyst. It won't guarantee a job or a raise, but it shows your commitment and knowledge of basic financial concepts.
Neither the CFA nor the MBA is universally "better"; their value depends on your career goals, with the CFA offering deep investment expertise for roles like portfolio management and the MBA providing broad business skills for leadership and strategy, often through strong networking. The CFA is ideal for specialized finance careers (research, asset management) and is globally recognized for technical depth, while an MBA offers flexibility across industries (consulting, general management) and often higher senior leadership representation, with top school prestige being crucial.
The Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam is recognised worldwide as a qualification specifically for finance and investment management. It is the entry point to the prestigious CFA charter. This charter is widely considered the golden benchmark in the finance industry worldwide.
CFA Charterholder vs.
MBAs are in a much broader field of careers than CFA Charterholders but where they do overlap can be in the fields of finance and management. Regardless, according CFA Institute, the average salary for a CFA is $180,000 and the average salary for an MBA is $107,000.
You can include the CFA designation after your name on your resume. For example: “ John Smith, CFA” excluding the ® symbol. You can include your CFA designation in the certification or education sections of your resume and must include the ® symbol. For example: “CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute.”
Is the CFA Equivalent to a Master's Degree? Since both the CFA Program and an MSFA require an undergraduate degree in most cases and require about the same total amount of study, the CFA is generally considered to be equivalent to a master degree.
Is CFA tougher than CA? A: The CFA and CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications have different focuses and challenges. While both are demanding, many find CA to be more rigorous due to its extensive practical training and exams.
No. Your results do not expire.
CFA Exams Pass Rates
The CFA exams are perhaps the most challenging exams out there. They are often referred to as “bar none” the toughest exams—even harder than medical school or law school exams—with pass rates that hover around 50% and were much lower during the recent pandemic.
If you are currently a candidate in the CFA Program:
Include your participation in the CFA Program in the education section of your resume. (For example: “CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute.”) You may also list the levels completed. (For example: “Completed Level I in 2020.”)
In-Depth Breakdown of the Most Difficult CFA Level 1 Topics & How to Tackle Them
CFA Level I Pass Rate Stays at 43% for November Test
Candidates who put off taking the test have a smaller likelihood of success. Those who took the Level I exam in November with at least one deferral saw a 29% pass rate, compared with 49% for first-time candidates, the CFA Institute said.
Will AI replace CFA professionals in finance jobs? No. While AI optimises efficiency, it does not replace intelligent decision-making, client engagement, or ethics oversight performed by CFAs.