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Professional training course · AF-035
Preparation for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Financial analysis and investment management require a sophisticated understanding of financial markets, investment instruments, corporate financial performance…
- 5 daysClassroom
- 13Upcoming dates
- 7Cities
- £2,840Fees from
Course overview
Why Attend
Financial analysis and investment management require a sophisticated understanding of financial markets, investment instruments, corporate financial performance, portfolio construction, and risk management. Professionals operating in these fields must evaluate complex financial information, assess investment opportunities, and make informed decisions while maintaining high standards of ethics and professional integrity.
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is a globally recognised professional qualification awarded by CFA Institute. Its body of knowledge encompasses investment analysis, financial statement analysis, economics, quantitative methods, corporate issuers, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, portfolio management, and ethical and professional standards.
Developing expertise across these disciplines enables finance and investment professionals to understand how economic developments influence financial markets, evaluate the intrinsic value of financial assets, assess investment risks, and construct portfolios aligned with investment objectives.
The Chartered Financial Analyst training course provides an intensive introduction to the analytical concepts, valuation techniques, and investment management principles associated with the CFA Programme's body of knowledge. It is designed to strengthen participants' practical financial analysis capabilities and provide a structured foundation for further professional study.
Participants explore financial modelling, investment valuation, quantitative analysis, financial reporting, portfolio management, and professional ethics through practical exercises and investment case studies.
The programme emphasises the application of financial theory to real investment decisions, helping participants develop analytical judgement, interpret market information, and communicate evidence-based investment recommendations.
Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve
Limited investment analysis capabilities: Developing structured approaches to evaluating financial instruments, market conditions, and investment opportunities.
Difficulty interpreting financial statements: Applying financial reporting analysis, profitability ratios, cash flow assessment, and financial performance evaluation to investment decisions.
Weak investment valuation techniques: Using discounted cash flow models, valuation multiples, and fixed-income pricing methods to estimate investment values.
Insufficient understanding of financial markets: Strengthening knowledge of economic indicators, market structures, asset classes, and factors influencing asset prices.
Inadequate investment risk assessment: Applying quantitative measures, diversification principles, and portfolio risk analysis to evaluate investment exposures.
Poor portfolio construction and evaluation: Understanding asset allocation, portfolio optimisation concepts, performance measurement, and risk-adjusted returns.
Ethical and professional decision-making challenges: Applying professional conduct principles to investment research, client relationships, conflicts of interest, and financial recommendations.
Course Methodology
The programme combines instructor-led financial analysis discussions, quantitative problem-solving exercises, investment valuation workshops, financial statement case studies, portfolio management simulations, and ethics-based decision scenarios.
Participants work with illustrative financial statements, market data, investment instruments, valuation assumptions, and portfolio information to develop analytical models and evaluate investment decisions.
Practical exercises cover financial ratio analysis, time value of money calculations, equity valuation, bond pricing, investment risk measurement, and portfolio performance evaluation.
The course is an intensive professional development programme rather than a substitute for the complete CFA Programme curriculum. Participants intending to pursue the CFA designation should use the official CFA Institute curriculum and examination requirements for their chosen examination level.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Explain the structure of financial markets and the roles of major investment instruments
Apply fundamental quantitative methods to financial and investment analysis
Interpret economic indicators and their implications for investment decisions
Analyse financial statements and assess corporate financial performance
Evaluate corporate financing and capital investment decisions
Apply fundamental equity valuation techniques
Understand fixed-income pricing, yields, duration, and interest rate risk
Explain the characteristics and valuation principles of derivatives and alternative investments
Assess investment risk using statistical and financial measures
Apply portfolio diversification and asset allocation principles
Evaluate portfolio performance using risk-adjusted return measures
Recognise ethical and professional responsibilities in investment analysis and management
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
Investment analysts and research professionals
Portfolio managers and investment associates
Financial analysts and corporate finance professionals
Asset management and wealth management professionals
Banking and financial services specialists
Equity and fixed-income research analysts
Risk management and investment risk professionals
Treasury and capital markets professionals
Finance graduates pursuing investment management careers
Professionals preparing for further study within the CFA Programme
Target Competencies
Participants will develop competencies in:
Investment and financial market analysis
Quantitative financial methods
Economic and macroeconomic interpretation
Financial statement analysis
Corporate finance and capital budgeting
Equity and fixed-income valuation
Derivatives and alternative investment fundamentals
Investment risk measurement
Portfolio construction and performance evaluation
Investment ethics and professional judgement
Course outline
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1Day 1: Ethical Standards, Quantitative Methods and Economic Analysis
Understanding the investment management profession, the structure of the CFA Programme, and the importance of professional competence and ethical conduct
Exploring the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, including integrity, independence, conflicts of interest, and duties to clients
Applying time value of money principles, present value, future value, discounting, compounding, and annuity calculations
Using statistical concepts such as expected returns, variance, standard deviation, covariance, correlation, and probability distributions in financial analysis
Examining macroeconomic indicators, monetary policy, fiscal policy, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, and their influence on financial markets
Practical workshop: Solving quantitative investment problems and analysing the implications of economic developments for financial assets
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2Day 2: Financial Statement Analysis and Corporate Finance
Understanding financial reporting principles and analysing the statement of financial position, income statement, and statement of cash flows
Evaluating corporate profitability, liquidity, solvency, operational efficiency, and financial performance through ratio analysis
Examining accounting policies, revenue recognition, inventory valuation, depreciation, and financial reporting adjustments that influence investment analysis
Assessing financial statement quality, earnings sustainability, cash flow generation, and potential financial reporting warning signs
Applying corporate finance principles covering capital budgeting, financing decisions, capital structure, and weighted average cost of capital
Practical exercise: Analysing a company's financial statements and preparing a corporate financial assessment with profitability, liquidity, leverage, and investment observations
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3Day 3: Equity Investments, Fixed Income and Investment Valuation
Understanding equity market structures, common and preferred shares, equity indices, and fundamental approaches to company analysis
Applying equity valuation techniques, including dividend discount models, discounted cash flow analysis, and price-based valuation multiples
Evaluating company fundamentals, earnings expectations, growth assumptions, competitive positioning, and factors influencing intrinsic value
Understanding fixed-income instruments, bond characteristics, coupon structures, maturity, yield to maturity, and credit quality
Calculating bond prices and examining the relationships between interest rates, bond yields, duration, and fixed-income price sensitivity
Valuation workshop: Comparing equity valuation estimates and fixed-income investment opportunities using financial models and market assumptions
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4Day 4: Derivatives, Alternative Investments and Financial Risk Management
Understanding derivative instruments, including forwards, futures, options, and swaps, and their applications in hedging and investment strategies
Examining derivative payoff structures, basic valuation principles, leverage, counterparty exposure, and market risk considerations
Exploring alternative investments, including real estate, private equity, infrastructure, commodities, and selected investment fund structures
Assessing investment risks involving market volatility, interest rates, credit quality, liquidity, currency movements, and concentration
Applying risk measurement techniques, including volatility, correlation, beta, value at risk concepts, and scenario analysis
Case study: Evaluating a multi-asset investment exposure and recommending appropriate diversification and risk mitigation measures
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5Day 5: Portfolio Management, Investment Performance and Professional Application
Understanding portfolio management principles, investment objectives, risk tolerance, investment constraints, and investment policy statements
Exploring modern portfolio theory, diversification benefits, efficient frontier concepts, and the relationship between expected return and portfolio risk
Applying asset allocation principles across equities, fixed income, cash, and alternative investments
Evaluating investment performance using benchmarks, total return, the Sharpe ratio, the Treynor ratio, and Jensen's alpha
Applying ethical judgement to investment recommendations, research communication, client suitability, performance presentation, and conflicts of interest
Capstone exercise: Developing and presenting an Investment Analysis and Portfolio Recommendation incorporating economic analysis, financial statement assessment, asset valuation, risk evaluation, portfolio allocation, performance measures, and ethical considerations
Dates and fees
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Preparation for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course?
The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.
When is the next Preparation for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course?
The next public date is 14 - 18 Dec 2026 in Paris. There are 13 upcoming dates in total.
Where is this course held?
Upcoming sessions run in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Vienna, Barcelona, Cape Town.
How much does the course cost?
Fees start from £2,840 + VAT per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.
Do participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.
Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?
Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.
Course information last updated 14 November 2026.
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