CFA Institute

Mission 

The mission of CFA Institute is served by generating value for investment management professionals and engaging with the investment industry to advance ethics, market integrity, and professional standards of practice, which collectively contributes value to society.

In 1947, analyst societies of Boston, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia joined forces in realizing their shared commitment to bringing higher standards to the investment profession. On 11 June 1947, a national federation was formed and together these pioneer societies defined the role of the investment professional as one steeped in research and critical thinking.

The Singapore society launched in 1987, the first society outside of North America, thereby beginning the international expansion of the CFA Society network, which now links more than 190,000 members in 160 markets around the globe.

Learn more about our global community of investment professionals: Membership

Investment analysis became a credentialed profession in 1963, when 284 candidates sat the inaugural CFA Program exam. A first edition of today's Standards of Professional Conduct—introduced in 1969—set the first global benchmark for the professional conduct of the investment professional, bringing ethics directly to the heart of the CFA Program and CFA charterholder community.

Learn more about the CFA Program and our full suite of certifications: CFA Institute Programs