A certified financial analyst (CFA) is a professional designation given by the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR) that measures the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Candidates are required to pass three levels of exams covering areas such as accounting, economics, ethics, money management, and security analysis.

Financial analysts and personal financial advisors provide investment analysis and guidance to businesses and individuals to help them with their investment decisions. They gather financial information, analyze it, and make recommendations. Financial analysts, also called security analysts and investment analysts, work for banks, insurance companies, mutual and pension funds, securities firms, and other businesses helping the company or their clients make investment decisions.

 They read company financial statements and analyze commodity prices, sales, costs, expenses, and tax rates in order to determine a company's value and project future earnings. They often meet with company officials to get better insight into a company and determine managerial effectiveness.

certified financial analyst info courtesy :U.S. Department of Labor