CFA Level 1 Certification Course

This CFA Level 1 course is a comprehensive preparation program designed to help candidates master the foundational knowledge required to succeed in the CFA Level I examination, the first step toward becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst. This course covers the full CFA Level I curriculum, including core topics such as ethics and professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, equity and fixed income investments, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. Participants benefit from live instructor‑led sessions, practical examples, mock exams and access to recorded sessions for flexible revision. The course equips learners with a strong conceptual understanding, analytical skills, exam strategy and confidence needed to perform effectively in the CFA Level I exam and build a foundation for careers in investment management, financial analysis, and related finance roles.

Module 1: Introduction to CFA & Ethics

• Overview of CFA Program and Exam Structure
• Role of CFA Charterholders in Investment Management
• Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
• Guidance for Ethical Decision Making
• Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS)
• Exam Tips and CFA Candidate Resources



Module 2: Quantitative Methods

• Time Value of Money: Present & Future Value, Annuities, Perpetuities
• Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
• Probability, Descriptive Statistics, and Probability Distributions
• Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Confidence Intervals
• Correlation, Covariance, and Regression Analysis
• Statistical Inference and Applications in Finance



Module 3: Economics

• Microeconomics: Supply & Demand, Market Structures, Elasticity
• Macroeconomics: GDP, Inflation, Unemployment, Business Cycles
• Monetary and Fiscal Policy
• International Trade and Exchange Rate Determination
• Economic Growth and Development
• Currency and Interest Rate Impacts on Investments



Module 4: Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Understanding Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement
• Financial Reporting Mechanics (IFRS & US GAAP)
• Income Recognition and Inventory Methods
• Fixed Assets and Depreciation
• Financial Ratios and Analysis (Liquidity, Solvency, Profitability, Efficiency)
• Analysis of Financial Statements Across Industries
• Earnings Quality and Fraud Detection



Module 5: Corporate Finance

• Capital Budgeting: NPV, IRR, Payback
• Cost of Capital: WACC, CAPM
• Capital Structure and Leverage
• Dividend Policy and Share Repurchases
• Corporate Governance Basics



Module 6: Equity Investments

• Overview of Equity Markets and Instruments
• Security Valuation: Dividend Discount Model, Free Cash Flow Models
• Industry and Company Analysis
• Market Efficiency and Behavioral Finance
• Equity Portfolio Basics



Module 7: Fixed Income

• Types of Fixed Income Securities: Bonds, Notes, Bills, Mortgage-Backed Securities
• Bond Pricing and Yield Measures
• Duration, Convexity, and Interest Rate Risk
• Credit Risk and Credit Analysis
• Fixed Income Portfolio Management Basics



Module 8: Derivatives

• Derivative Types: Forwards, Futures, Options, Swaps
• Pricing Basics and Payoff Profiles
• Hedging and Speculation with Derivatives
• Risk Management Applications



Module 9: Alternative Investments

• Real Estate, Commodities, Hedge Funds, Private Equity
• Valuation Techniques
• Risk Characteristics and Portfolio Diversification Benefits



Module 10: Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

• Portfolio Theory: Modern Portfolio Theory, Efficient Frontier
• Risk and Return Concepts: Expected Return, Variance, Beta
• Asset Allocation and Diversification
• Introduction to CAPM and Multifactor Models
• Portfolio Performance Measurement



Module 11: Exam Preparation & Mock Tests

• Review of Core Concepts by Topic Area
• Practice Questions and Topic-Based Quizzes
• Full-Length Mock Exam
• Mock Exam Review and Clarifications
• Exam Tips, Time Management, and Test-Taking Strategies

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or be in the final year of their bachelor’s program.
• Alternatively, candidates can qualify with four years of professional work experience (full-time, not necessarily investment-related).
• A combination of work and university experience totaling four years is also accepted.
• There is no formal educational requirement beyond a bachelor’s degree, so candidates from any discipline can apply if they meet the experience criteria.
• Candidates must have a valid international travel passport for exam registration.
• Proficiency in English is required, as the CFA exams are only offered in English.
• Candidates should have basic knowledge of finance, accounting, economics, and quantitative methods, though this is recommended and not mandatory.

• Entry-level finance professionals interested in investment, portfolio management, or financial analysis
• Students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or related fields
• Risk Managers (all levels) working in banking, corporate, or enterprise risk
• Market Risk Specialists
• Credit Risk Specialists
• Operational Risk Analysts / Operational Risk Managers
• Enterprise Risk Managers
• Regulatory Risk Analysts
• Prudential Risk Managers
• Senior Operational Risk Managers
• Corporate Risk Managing Directors (risk-focused)
• COO & Risk Officers (especially in banking/ALM)
• Risk Quantification Managers
• Large Enterprise Commercial Risk Managers
• Risk Management Analytics professionals
• Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts
• Equity Analysts and Fixed Income Analysts
• Corporate Finance Professionals involved in financial modeling, treasury, or capital budgeting
• Financial Advisors and Consultants who provide investment advice or manage client portfolios
• Auditors or Accounting Professionals interested in investment or financial markets
• Professionals transitioning into finance or investment roles seeking foundational knowledge in ethics, quantitative methods, and financial analysis

• The CFA Level I exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions divided into two sessions of 90 questions each (two sessions of 2 hours 15 minutes each).
• The total exam duration is 4.5 hours with an optional break between sessions.
• All questions are equally weighted and use a three-choice multiple-choice format (A, B, or C).
• There is no negative marking for incorrect answers — candidates are encouraged to answer every question.
• The exam is computer-based testing (CBT) and offered four times a year: February, May, August, and November.
• CFA Level I tests foundational knowledge of investment tools, ethical and professional standards, and basic financial concepts across ten topic areas.
• To register for the CFA Program (including Level I), candidates must meet one of the following: a bachelor’s degree, be in the final year of a bachelor’s program, have four years of professional work experience, or a combination of work and education totaling four years.
• Successful candidates typically spend 300+ hours preparing due to the breadth of the curriculum, though this is recommended and not a formal requirement.
• Results are usually released 5–7 weeks after the exam date.
• CFA Institute also requires completion of a Practical Skills Module (PSM) for Level I as part of the exam process.

In today’s highly competitive global finance industry, organizations seek professionals with strong expertise in investment analysis, portfolio management and ethical decision-making. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation is one of the most respected and globally recognized credentials in investment management and finance.

The CFA® certification provides comprehensive knowledge of equity and fixed-income investments, portfolio management, financial analysis, economics, corporate finance and ethical standards. It prepares professionals to make informed investment decisions and manage assets across global financial markets.

CFA® certification delivers strong career and salary advantages. CFA charterholders are highly valued by employers in investment banking, asset management, wealth management, consulting and financial services.

• 1. CFA charterholders typically earn 20–30% higher compensation compared to non-certified finance professionals.
• 2. In the United States, CFA professionals often earn between $100,000 and $150,000+ per year, depending on experience, role and industry.
• 3. Senior roles such as Portfolio Manager, Investment Analyst, Equity Research Analyst and Finance Director can command salaries exceeding $170,000 per year.

Beyond salary benefits, CFA® certification enhances professional credibility, demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical standards and signals advanced expertise in global investment practices.

By earning the CFA® designation, you position yourself as a trusted finance professional capable of delivering long-term value and navigating complex financial markets with confidence.

He is an experienced CFA and FRM‑certified senior finance professional. He also brings over 10 years of experience as a trainer, guiding professionals in finance and risk management.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the structure and purpose of the CFA Program and the Level I examination format.
• Apply the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and understand their importance in professional practice.
• Employ quantitative methods including time value of money, probability, and statistical concepts in financial analysis.
• Interpret key macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts and their influence on financial markets.
• Prepare, interpret, and analyze financial statements, including accounting mechanics, financial ratios, and earnings quality.
• Demonstrate foundational knowledge of corporate finance principles, including capital budgeting, cost of capital and corporate governance.
• Explain equity valuation models and apply basic techniques for analyzing company and industry performance.
• Understand fixed income instruments, valuation techniques, yield measures, and interest rate risk concepts.
• Describe derivative instruments, including forwards, futures, options and swaps, and their uses in risk management.
• Recognize different alternative investments and their role within diversified portfolios.
• Apply introductory portfolio management principles, including risk‑return trade‑offs and asset allocation fundamentals.
• Use mock exams and practice questions to reinforce core concepts and improve exam strategy and time management.