CFA Level 2: Course Details, Syllabus, Salary, Eligibility Criteria

The CFA Institute, a global network of investment professionals, grants the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) professional title to candidates who pass its examination. The test consists of three levels, each more complicated than the previous one.

Students are evaluated on their understanding, familiarity with, and ability to analyse various subjects, including economics,  accounting, ethics, security analysis, and money management. Each level has a minimum score that applicants must achieve to pass, and those who don’t pass are eligible to retake the test. The CFA level 2 fees in India varies. The early bird registration will cost you around Rs.72,000, and the standard registration will cost you Rs. 96,000. 

CFA Level 2 Exam Date 2022

The CFA level 2 exam date 2022 India in the August session is due from August 30th – September 3rd, 2022, and exams for the November session are set for November 22nd to 26th, 2022. Exams for the May 2023 session will commence from May 23 to May 27, 2023.

CFA Level 2 Syllabus 

The syllabus for the CFA level 2 examinations includes the following subjects and topics:

1. Ethics and Professional Standards

This section includes the code of conduct, professional standards, and international investment performance requirements. One topic equally significant at the three levels is ethics, which should be carefully studied.

2. Quantitative Methods

The quantitative section will consist of one to two item sets. Most likely, the case statement will present data regression and ask you to examine and interpret the information. You might have to calculate some crucial metrics based on the data given.

3. Economics

Economics is another small portion in Level 2, similar to Quantitative Methods. You can expect at least one item set from this topic. Since many of the concepts you study in Economics might be tested in other subjects, you must have a solid conceptual understanding of economics.

4. Financial Reporting and Analysis

A significant component of the exam is financial reporting and analysis. This section has four to five item sets. Key topics include accounting for inventories, accounting leases, accounting for long-lived assets, inter-corporate investments, variable interest entities (VIEs), accounting for acquisitions, and financial reporting quality.

5. Corporate Finance

Corporate finance is a complex but manageable subject. Corporate finance principles are intertwined with the financial reporting and equity parts. As a result, the questions may be mixed with information from other areas. The important topics covered include capital budgeting, dividend and repurchase policy issues, capital structure, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions.

6. Equity Investment

Equities is a critical section for financial analysts, and you can expect four to five-item set questions from this section. There is a wealth of information available on equity analysis and valuation methodologies.

7. Fixed Income

The section on fixed income covers key concepts such as credit analysis, term structure, and valuation. It helps candidates learn about fixed-income securities, factors that could put them at risk, the steps to maintain them, and measurement methods.

8. Portfolio Management

Portfolio Management is a difficult subject to master, and it gets more complicated in Level 3. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the subject to ace your exams. This area of the syllabus tests the candidates’ concepts in portfolio theory, asset pricing, and market efficiency.

9. Derivatives

You can anticipate at least two item set questions from derivatives. Options, swaps, futures, and forwards are all covered in the content. You should be knowledgeable about forwarding rate agreements, interest rate futures, and currency forwards within the derivatives market.

10. Alternative Investments

Other than stock and fixed income, this section discusses several asset classes. The CFA curriculum covers three asset classes: private equity, hedge funds, and real estate. This section will be the subject of one or two item sets of questions.

CFA Level 2 Salary

Level 2 CFA will familiarise you with the realm of capital market research and analytics. One can progress from back-office or operational positions to stock research, analytics, wealth management, or a model similar to sell-side research after clearing the CFA Level 2 exam. A CFA level 2 candidate may apply for jobs like Equity Research Associate, Fixed Income Research Analyst, Rating Analyst, Financial Planning and Analysis Expert (FPA), and Corporate Strategist. 

The average CFA level 2 salary in India is Rs. 687,076 per annum.

CFA Level 2 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must thoroughly review the official CFA level 2 eligibility criteria before registering themselves to prevent disqualification at a later time. The eligibility requirements for CFA level 2 are similar to those for level 1. 

Candidates for CFA Level 2 should have passed the CFA Level 1 test and hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or the equivalent. In addition to their academic credentials, candidates must possess at least four years of professional experience in the same field.

Candidates must provide all essential documentation, including the passport needed to sit for the CFA Level 2 Exam. Additionally, candidates should be fluent in English because the study materials and tests for the CFA course Level 2 will be in English only. 

Conclusion

The CFA examination is a challenging endeavour widely appreciated and acknowledged globally. Candidates who complete Level 2 of the CFA course can embark on any lucrative employment possibilities or continue to Level 3 of the CFA study. If you want to clear the CFA exams successfully, you should consider the Chartered Financial Analyst Course Zell offers. Students at Zell have a passing rate of 80%, with more than 10,000 students benefitting from Zell courses.

FAQ

How long does it take to study for CFA Level 2?
According to the June 2019 Candidate Survey by the CFA Institute, the typical Level 2 candidate put in 328 hours of study time before taking the exam.

How much does a CFA Level 2 earn?
A CFA in India has quite a rewarding annual salary package, and the pay increases with experience. The average CFA level 2 salary in India is Rs. 687,076 per annum.

Are 6 months enough for CFA Level 2?
According to a CFA Institute survey, the chances of clearing the exam are higher with a minimum study of 4-6 months.

Partham Barot is an ACCA-certified professional. showcasing his expertise in finance and accountancy. he’s revolutionising education by focusing on practical, real-world skills. Partham’s achievements underscore his commitment to elevating educational standards and empowering the next generation of professionals.