A financial analysis certificate can be earned through a master’s program or as a professional enhancement of a bachelor’s degree. Prerequisites include a finance-related bachelor’s degree and one to three years of finance experience. The program includes courses in accounting, finance, and computer programming. Certification demonstrates advanced knowledge of global financial markets and can help advance a career in finance.
A person can earn a financial analysis certificate as part of a master’s program in financial analysis or as a professional enhancement of a bachelor’s degree. Those seeking a certification in financial analysis can choose to take online courses to complete a certificate or attend a regular program at a financial university. University programs usually take nine months to complete, while online courses for a certificate can take more or less time.
There are often prerequisites for obtaining a certificate of financial analysis. For many programs, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related subject in accounting. A candidate should generally have one to three years of finance experience before starting a certificate program. Some programs will offer a basic financial analysis certification, while others will offer an advanced certification where the candidate specializes in a specific area of financial analysis. There are two main bodies that oversee most financial analysis certification programs. The CFA Institute oversees and recommends standards for university programs, while the American Academy of Financial Management does the same for many online programs. University programs are often standardized, but online certificate programs can vary greatly in required courses.
A program to earn a financial analysis certificate usually includes courses in accounting and managerial finance, as well as securities analysis and mergers and acquisitions. Candidates sometimes need to learn how to solve financial problems using computer programming languages. Courses will also instruct the certificate candidate to use spreadsheets to forecast earnings, cash flow and savings so that this data can be used by potential investors. Students often need to learn how to analyze investment profitability, liquidity structures, and capital structure and debt ratios. A working knowledge of the federal tax code related to financial analysis is often required to obtain a certificate. University programs sometimes allow student credits earned in a certificate program in financial analysis to count towards the master’s in finance.
A certificate of financial analysis generally demonstrates to potential employers and clients that the holder has advanced knowledge of how global financial markets work, as well as knowledge of corporate finance and investment. Certification is often required for a person to advance in their career, to a position as a team leader or financial analyst manager at an institution. A certificate of financial analysis can often help a person get a job in a finance department of a corporation or investment firm or lend additional credibility to a financial consulting business.
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