Cert Prep: CFA Exam Level 1

Course details

In this course, Dr. Michael McDonald helps you prepare for success with the CFA Level 1 exam as he guides you through essential topics and strategies. Explore ten sections from ethics to quantitative methods to deepen your understanding of the diverse finance industry. Dive into detailed areas of economics, financial statement analysis, corporate finance, equity markets, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. Learn how each topic plays a critical role in enhancing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, vital for finance professionals. Engage with test-taking strategies designed to boost performance. Discover focused instruction tailored to develop key competencies for finance professionals taking the CFA exam. Ideal for financial analysts and anyone seeking to advance their career in finance, this course helps you prepare to enter the CFA exam with confidence, equipped with the conceptual and analytical skills that you need to excel.

Learning objectives
Prepare for the first level of the CFA exam by learning core skills evaluated on the test.
Analyze and apply the ethical standards and professional guidelines in the investments industry.
Calculate and interpret key quantitative methods, including time value of money and probability.
Assess and articulate financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
Evaluate and implement various investment strategies across equity, fixed income, derivatives, and alternative investments.

Concepts

Introduction - The CFA Exam

Mastering the CFA
What is the CFA
Test strategies for the CFA exams

CFA Section 1 - Ethics and Professional Standards

Ethics in the investments industry
Ethics and professional standards
CFA guidance standards
Global investment performance standards

CFA Section 2 - Quantitative Methods

Time value of money on the CFA
Discounted cash flow and investments
Statistics in financial markets
Probability distributions in investments
Sampling and estimation
Technical analysis
Key topics in quantitative methods

CFA Section 3 - Economics

Supply and demand analysis on the CFA
Competition and market structures
GDP and economic growth on the CFA
International trade and capital flows
Currencies and foreign exchange rates
Key topics - Economics

CFA Section 4 - Financial Statement Analysis

Financial statement reporting standards
Income statement essentials on the CFA
Balance sheet basics on the CFA
Cash flow statement fundamentals
Ratios in financial statement analysis
Key topics - Financial statement analysis

CFA Section 5 - Corporate Finance Issuers

Capital budgeting on the CFA
Weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
Leverage and risk management on the CFA
Key topics - Corporate finance problems

CFA Section 6 - Equity Investments

Market structure on the CFA
Equity market indexes on the CFA
Market efficiency on the CFA
Equity securities
Stock valuation methods on the CFA
Key topic - Equity markets

CFA Section 7 - Fixed Income

Fixed income markets on the CFA
Fixed income analysis and bond valuation
Fixed income risk and return on the CFA
Credit analysis on the CFA
Key topics - Fixed income

CFA Section 8 - Derivatives

Derivative markets basics
Derivative pricing fundamentals
Options valuation on the CFA
Forward contracts on the CFA
Key topics - Derivatives

CFA Section 9 - Alternative Investments

Hedge funds and private equity funds
Alternative investments on the CFA
Alternative investments in a portfolio
Fees on alternative investments
Key topics - Alternative investments

CFA Section 10 - Portfolio Management

Investment performance metrics
Understanding beta and CAPM on the CFA
Risk management in investing on the CFA
Fintech on the CFA exam
Key topics - Portfolio management

Conclusion

Final study tips
Taking on CFA Level I with confidence