CFA Institute

The CFA Institute is an international, nonprofit organization of more than 50,000 investment practitioners and educators in over 100 countries.

Founded in January 1990, the CFA Institute (formerly the Association for Investment Management and Research) was created from the merger of the Financial Analysts Federation (FAF) and the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts (ICFA). The FAF was originally established in 1947 as a service organization for investment professionals in its societies and chapters. The ICFA was founded in 1959 to examine candidates and award the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

The CFA Institute's mission is to serve its members and investors as a global leader in educating and examining investment managers and analysts and sustaining high standards of professional conduct. The CFA Institute's membership is global in scope, and its activities are worldwide.

The Research Foundation of the CFA Institute sponsors practitioner-oriented research through funding and publishing a diverse assortment of monographs, tutorials, and research papers to broaden investment professionals' knowledge and understanding of their field.

The CFA Institute offers services in three broad categories: Education through seminars and publications; Professional Conduct and Ethics; and Standards of Practice and Advocacy.

The CFA Institute's members are employed as securities analysts, portfolio managers, strategists, consultants, educators, and other investment specialists. These professionals practice in a variety of fields, including investment counseling and management, banking, insurance, and investment banking and brokerage firms.