Top 6 Finance Jobs and Salary After CFA Level 1!

Did you just clear the Chartered Financial Analyst level 1 exam after you had prepared for the CFA level 1 exam? You are curious about how much your salary will be offered by employers. It might not guarantee you high-level positions; however, the course will make your resume stand out.

Professional Opportunities and Salary for CFA Level 1 Salary

Once you qualify for CFA Level 1, you are eligible for job roles in big financial hubs in Delhi, NCR, Bangalore, and Mumbai. The CFA Level One Salary in these places is 15-25% higher than in other places. 

Becoming a BCom/ MBA qualified candidate, along with a CFA Level 1 certification, is one of the CFA Level 1 Eligibility criteria. This will ensure that your candidature will get shortlisted over other non-certified candidates. Additionally, there are organizations that offer performance-based bonuses at the entry level.

Financial Analyst

To become a CFA, you need to learn skills in the financial sector. The job responsibilities include creating financial models, financial data, and preparing reports. In this designation, the professional helps corporations and businesses make informed investment decisions.

In different sectors, this role is quite in demand in private equity, equity research, consulting and corporate finance. The position is strongly aligned with the CFA Level I and II curriculum, as the relatable content includes fixed income analysis, equity, and financial reporting. 

As a financial analyst, your average salary in India is INR 4 - INR 8 LPA. While on the global scale, you earn about USD 60,000 - 100,000 depending on the employer and the market. 

Risk Analyst

As a risk analyst, you have to assist in evaluating markets, credit, or sectors along with operational risk for corporations. Additionally, as an entry-level position, you also need to prepare research reports. You can get hired by banks and NBFCs in this role.

Your average Salary in India as a risk analyst is INR 5 - 9 LPA. If you are applying for this position on a regional level, you can expect somewhere around INR 7.5 LPA. Additionally, on a global level, the average CFA Level 1 salary can go up to INR 17 LPA across various financial sectors.

Portfolio Manager

The role of a portfolio manager or management associate is that of developing asset allocation strategies for the corporations. Along with making decisions on buying and selling, the portfolio manager also gets to manage investment portfolios on an individual and institutional level.

This role is quite frequently employed by mutual funds like ICICI Prudential, SBI MF and others. Additionally, there are wealth managers and PMS firms that also recruit candidates for this position. At the CFA Level III, portfolio management studies are quite significant.

There is good scope and job opportunities in India and abroad of Pursuing CFA. In India, this position earns you INR 5 - 8 LPA at the entry level after you have completed the CFA Level 1 course. Furthermore, you get to earn on average around INR 14 LPA between entry and medium levels.

Investment Banking Analyst

Another professional role that a CFA Level 1 qualified candidate is eligible for is an Investment Banking Analyst. Just like you have to complete the CA course, to become an investment banker, you can complete the CFA level 1 after CA to get a better opportunity.

The job responsibilities include supporting deal execution, data analysis, and company valuation. You will mostly get entry roles if you are looking for jobs with a CFA Level 1 qualification, along with MBA/ BCom freshers. Mostly, these roles are employed by boutique firms.

In India, this position will earn you INR 6 - 10 LPA at the entry level. Additionally, on a global scale, you get somewhere around INR 7 LPA - 9 LPA in various locations like Hong Kong, London, or New York.

Quantitative Analyst

As a CFA Level 1 exam-qualified individual, you have to contribute to an organization by developing mathematical models, managing risk, and pricing financial instruments. Organizations like trading firms, fintech startups, banks and hedge funds employ candidates for this position.

You can become a quantitative analyst after you complete a Chartered Accountant (CA) degree. However, there are gaps in the CA curriculum. So, when it comes to the job position of QA, CFA qualification is better as compared to CA.

As a fresher, your starting Salary as a quantitative analyst ranges somewhere between INR 10 - 20 LPA. This job position will earn you somewhere between INR 7 LPA - 9 LPA based on the firm and location.

Market Research Analyst

As a CFA Level 1 course-qualified individual, one has to conduct surveys, build reports, and analyse industry trends as a market research analyst. In India, you can expect a range of INR 3.5 - 6 LPA, a bit lower than other financial roles in different sectors.

Globally, you can earn between the range of INR 7 LPA - 10 LPA, which is lower than the core financial roles. The position is limited to research-specific data, thus at the lower part of the bracket.

What is the Significance of CFA Level 1 in India’s Financial Landscape?

Are you ready to pursue the CFA qualification? Now that you know about the CFA level 1 salary for various positions, are you excited to get high-paying roles both in India and abroad? 

Read about the real-world experience of job profiles after you qualify for CFA Level 1, the job responsibilities, and the average salary for CFA Level 1. Get ready to learn about networking, develop skills, and implement them, thus getting more exposure with this qualification.

Read More

• Pursuing CFA after MBA
• CFA Salary in Dubai
• Top Benefits of Getting an ACCA Certification
• ACCA vs CFA vs CA
• Is CFA Course Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get a job after clearing only CFA Level 1?

Yes, you can get a job once you clear CFA Level 1, as it shows your strong financial reporting, quantitative, corporate finance, and income-based skills to employers. 

Is CFA Level 1 enough to get into investment banking?

If you want to get into investment banking, a CFA Level 1 qualification can be helpful, but it is not enough. Along with the CFA Level 1 course, you have to develop skills in Excel and financial modeling to crack investment banking courses.

Is the CFA Level 1 globally recognized for jobs?

CFA Level 1 is recognized in financial markets globally and respected by employers both in India and abroad. In the UK, UAE, USA, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the CFA Level 1 course is valued, and employees get opportunities. However, it is better if you complete all three levels of CFA to be considered for high-paying and senior-level roles.

What other skills should I learn along with CFA Level 1?

If you want to stand out as a candidate, you have to acquire and develop skills that are job-ready and practical. Skills like PowerPoint, valuation techniques, communication skills, financial modeling, and Excel, paired with a CFA degree, will help you positively.

Do I need work experience for jobs after the CFA Level 1?

You do not need to have work experience to apply for jobs once you have qualified for the CFA Level 1. However, it is strongly recommended to have practical exposure or internship experience, thus having an edge over others in front of the employers.