An Intro To Complete The CFA ESG Certification | Last Minute Tips Included | By Proschool Experts

Have you ever wondered why finance companies prefer to hire CFA-certified professionals? What’s the big deal? Here’s why. Widely renowned in over 160 countries, the CFA course provides a cutting-edge education in finance, empowering every student with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to thrive in this complicated and cut-throat industry. The syllabus is designed to offer a comprehensive and detailed perspective on investment services. As a CFA charter holder, you get a head start in your career.

But that’s not all. The CFA board goes one step further. They also offer a specialised certification in CFA ESG investing. The course helps professionals incorporate environmental, social and governance factors during the decision-making process for various investments. It is important to develop sustainable investing practices as they help to prioritise social and ethical practices within the community.

The CFA ESG certification offers professionals a globally renowned credential that enables them to incorporate ESG factors for various investment purposes.

Highlights of the CFA ESG course:

Created by the CFA Society in the UK, this certificate helps students meet the growing need for sustainable and responsible investing. You will learn how to apply ESG factors to portfolio management, company valuation and investment-based decisions.

Here below are some of the important points covered in the syllabus:

• Relevance of the ESG markets and the various opportunities within it.
• Factors that impact ESG, such as potential risks and challenges.
• How ESG can impact the performance valuation of a company.
• Analyse, evaluate and integrate ESG.
• Incorporating ESG into wealth management and portfolio planning.
• ESG application across various asset classes.

How to register for the CFA ESG certification

The CFA ESG certificate registration process is simple enough. Visit the official CFA Institute website and create your account. You can then register for the ESG program by clicking on a link via email. Once you receive your unique username and password, you are officially enrolled for the course. Your CFA account will give you access to the required study material online and information about the exam dates. There is a six-month wait from the registration to take the exam, so plan accordingly.

Also Read – CFA vs NISM | Full Form, Course Details, Fees, Duration, Jobs | Reality of Both Finance Courses

CFA ESG exam details

• You have to pay $865 for the registration process and study material.
• There is a charge of $30 if you want to reschedule your paper at least 72 hours before the exam date if it is done at least 72 hours before the appointment.
• You can take the exam in specific centres or online.
• The exam is a CBE-based test with 100 questions to be answered within 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• The CFA board recommends students study for 100 hours before sitting for the exam.
• Once you finish the exam, you’ll receive your results immediately on screen. There are only two grades — ‘pass’ or ‘did not pass’.
• If you fail the paper, you will receive feedback on your performance.

The CFA ESG syllabus

Also Read – CFA Jobs & Salaries In USA | What Could You Earn In Each Profile Throughout Your Career?

Preparation tips for CFA ESG exams

• Create a sensible study plan

The CFA board recommends you study for 130 hours before giving the paper. It is best to evenly spread out this study time so you don’t overburden yourself.

• Read the official CFA study material

There may be many quality prep books available, but make sure you thoroughly read the official material you receive online from the CFA website. You can also refer to prep books by reputed prep providers.

• Solve many practice papers

It’s one thing to learn from the textbooks, it is another to write the answers coherently. There are many mock tests and practice papers available and they help you prepare for the CFA ESG exam. Writing down the answers and timing yourself can help you train for the main paper.

• Use active learning methods

If you are still learning by rote, you need to stop. The only way to truly grasp the CFA ESG syllabus is to understand the topics by applying them to real-world scenarios. Coaching institutes like Proschool are known to employ active learning techniques when instructing students.

• Pay special attention to the ESG standards

You must be proficient and updated on the latest ESG standards and frameworks. You should also understand how these guidelines affect financial and investment analysis.

Also Read – Can I Get into Wealth Management after CFA?

Best CFA ESG Study Materials

The material given by the CFA website is good enough to study for the exam. If you are looking for prep books that offer concise summaries and question banks, here are some of the notable prep providers.

• Alma Mundus
• Kaplan Schweser
• Fitch Learning

Benefits of a CFA ESG certificate

Is there any point in obtaining this qualification? Will it help your career? The answer is an empathic yes! There are so many advantages to having this professional feather in your cap. Here are a few of them:

• The CFA ESG certificate is highly renowned in the world of finance.
• The new qualification can lead to higher salary packages.
• ESG experts get many job opportunities and can apply for profiles such as ESG analyst, ESG product manager, sustainability manager, ESG specialist and even chief sustainability officer.
• This certification gains more recognition as companies and governments are moving towards sustainability and green finance.

Also Read – Is CFA good for asset management

Why you should study the CFA course with Proschool

Proschool is reputed to be one of India’s top coaching institutes, especially for the CFA program. The professors are experienced finance professionals with the industry expertise to teach students about real-world applications of the course material. They use active learning methods and effective training techniques to transform students into CFA experts. Students are mentored by the teachers and also provided with customised study plans and revision sessions. The entire CFA program at Proschool is taught keeping the latest syllabus updates and new industry developments. There is also a focus on important tools such as financial modelling and Python so that the students are ready for the job market when they clear the course.

Benefits of learning with Proschool:

• Coaching centres are available in more than 15 cities across India.
• Those who can’t attend classroom sessions can avail of online classes.
• Intensive practice for the exams is done through 5 mock tests and over 2,000 practice papers.
• Proschool also offers a library of resources for students to get an enhanced learning experience.
• Once you clear the course, you can access Proschool’s placement program for hundreds of job openings in the industry.
• You also receive training on professional interviewing techniques and writing resumes.

FAQs

1. Is there a deadline for taking the CFA ESG exam?

You sit for the exam six months after registering on the CFA website. You can pay a fee to reschedule your test 72 hours before but if you miss that deadline, you will need to register again.

2. What are the pass rates for the CFA ESG Certificate exam?

Currently, the exam rates are 71 per cent, which is quite high.

3. Is this certification valid abroad?

Yes, once you clear the CFA ESG exam, your certificate is valid abroad and will never expire.

4. What if I fail the CFA ESG exam?

If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can register again. You will have to pay a slightly reduced fee of $690 every time you attempt the exam again.

5. Is the CFA ESG difficult to clear?

The difficulty level of this paper is similar to the exams given during the first year of graduation. Also, as mentioned earlier, 71 per cent of all students pass the exam. So if you are adequately prepared, you will do well.

6. Is the CFA ESG worth it?

Yes. Many financial companies are adopting sustainable initiatives and taking a more responsible role in the community. They want to incorporate ESG factors when pursuing investment plans. For this, they need ESG-certified professionals to help them on their mission. This means more job opportunities are opening up for qualified experts, and can also lead to higher remuneration.

7. When is the CFA ESG exam?

The dates for the exams vary, but they occur all year round. When you register you can choose from a list of dates given to you.

8. How many attempts do I get to pass the CFA ESG?

You can re-take the exam till you eventually pass. If you fail the exam twice within six months, then you have to wait for another six months to apply again.

Conclusion

The financial landscape is shifting. Investors have become more conscious about sustainability and environmental responsibility. The industry wants finance professionals who can evolve with the changing times. The CFA ESG certificate empowers you to take your career to the next level and be a valued part of the future of finance.