Step into Finance Excellence with Your CFA Guide to Saudi Arabia in 2025
CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst; this qualification is gaining a spotlight in the financial sector all around the world, including Saudi Arabia. However, this qualification is relatively new to many finance and accounting aspirants, who are unfamiliar with the qualification’s structure, academic considerations, and other details. These aspirants want to know, but because of the lack of right guidance, they end up not getting the clarity that they seek in this matter.
In today’s descriptive blog, we will try to give answers to all your questions regarding CFA in Saudi Arabia, and help you get clarity about this qualification so that you can make the right decisions to elevate your academic & professional experiences.
CFA and Its Global Value:
CFA is a globally recognized, highly regarded, and valued postgraduate qualification offered by the CFA Institute. The topics covered in the CFA curriculum in Saudi Arabia are advanced/ complex, including portfolio management, investment analysis, and ethics. This qualification can be a golden ticket for individuals who want to create a career in Financial Analysis globally.
CFA Eligibility Criteria and Requirements in Saudi Arabia:
There are certain eligibility requirements that you are supposed to meet to start your academic journey with CFA in Saudi Arabia. The first one is that the aspirant must have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional/academic experience.
Other than that, to become successful in the CFA qualification, one must have completed 4,000 hours of work experience within 36 months, especially in investment decision-making roles; additionally, aspirants should also have 3 to 4 professional references.
CFA Curriculum in Saudi Arabia:
The key topics covered in the CFA curriculum in Saudi Arabia include corporate finance, portfolio management, ethics, financial reporting, and economics.
In 2025, the focus topics of the CFA curriculum have increased as the elective pathways are introduced, such as Private markets, private wealth, and Portfolio Management.
CFA Exam Schedule and Format in Saudi Arabia:
The exams are categorised into three levels (Level I, Level II, and Level III). The Level 1 exams have four sittings in a year in February, May, August, and November. Whereas, Level 2 has three sittings and Level 3 has only two sittings. Registering for each CFA exam separately is quite essential; appointments should be made before the deadlines to avoid last-minute hazards.
Apart from that, the exams from all levels of CFA in Saudi Arabia are computer-based and taken in the official centers approved by CFA, such as the Official Prometric test Centers in Saudi Arabia.
Local Society Membership:
CFA in Saudi Arabia offers two membership tiers: the affiliates and the regular membership. CFA Affiliates need to pass Level I of the qualification and also gain one year of relevant experience. Whereas, to gain the regular CFA membership title in Saudi Arabia, an individual is required to crack the Level I of the qualification, gain 48 months of relevant experience, and get at least 3 professional references.
However, the CFA requirements one needs to fulfill to avail the membership title of CFA in Saudi Arabia are a bit complex, but the benefits these titles bring to the table are insane. It opens the door to career events, discounts, mentorship programs, local job listings, etc. All these things add up to either polishing your skills or bringing forward enhanced career opportunities for you.
CFA Fee Structure:
The fees one needs to pay to CFA in Saudi Arabia are as follows:
- Registration or One-time enrolment fee is charged at the beginning of the qualification, and it is around USD 350.
- Early registration fee for Levels 1, 2, and 3 is around USD 940-990.
- The standard registration fee for CFA in Saudi Arabia is between USD 1,250- 1,390; it can vary depending on the level and window.
- The tuition fee cannot be predetermined as it completely depends on an individual’s preference (choice of institute).
Conclusion:
Indeed, the first step to this qualification is understanding the structure of CFA in Saudi Arabia; without familiarizing oneself with the basic concepts, academic obligations, and key areas of this qualification, one can never succeed. Therefore, if you are successful in understanding the structure and requirements of this qualification, know that you are halfway there. After which, the next step should be effective planning to begin this qualification; all the steps should be taken wisely.
Other than that, the CFA in Saudi Arabia is getting much limelight globally for its value in the job market and diverse professional roles in the accounting and finance sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which Professional roles are offered after doing CFA in Saudi Arabia?
Ans: Some of the professional roles you can take over after doing CFA in Saudi Arabia are investment manager, investment banker, risk manager, portfolio manager, financial advisor, research analyst, and financial analyst.
Q2: What are the effective tips to achieve success in CFA?
Ans: If you want to achieve success in CFA in Saudi Arabia, you may follow the tips given below:
- Register early to reserve a seat
- Use society discounts
- Work on building referral/professional relations at an earlier stage only.
- Stay consistent with your studies.
- Balance the academic requirements and focus on both clearing levels and gaining experience.
- Join the CFA Society in Saudi Arabia to be able to network locally.
Q3: When are CFA Exams held in 2025 in Saudi Arabia?
Ans: CFA exams 2025 in Saudi Arabia are held in different months; the Level I exams are held in February, May, August, and November. Level II exams are held in May, August, and November; whereas, the exams for Level III are held in February and August.
