The CFA® Program (Chartered Financial Analyst) is the professional qualification administered and awarded by the CFA Institute, based in the United States and recognized globally by employers, investment professionals, and investors. To earn the CFA charter, one must successfully pass through the CFA Program, a graduate-level self-study program that combines a broad curriculum with professional conduct requirements, culminating in three sequential exams. The CFA qualification takes a minimum of 2.5 – 3 years to complete.