CFA

Eligibility criteria for CFA:
Graduates in any discipline from a recognized university are eligible to seek admission to the CFA Programme, which is made on the basis of an admission test. The students appearing in the final year examination of graduation are also eligible. However, MBAs, Post Graduate Diploma Holders in Management, CAs, CWAs, CSs, CAIIBs, first class graduates/post-graduates and senior executives with ten years of service in the public sector or the private sector may seek exemption from the admission test.
The admission test aims at testing the aptitude of the candidates for professional studies in financial analysis. Hence the test places emphasis on the test of quantitative reasoning.
The candidates who are successful in the admission test and those who are exempted from passing the admission test are enrolled for the programme.
What is CFA Program about?
This program helps you specialize in a broad range of investment specialties that can be applied in any market worldwide. CFA Program is wide-ranging curriculum that will expose you to investment principles for you to meet the professional requirements of any work place. The level of competence and integrity of a Finance professional today is measurable by a definitive standard like CFA Program.

CFA vs MBA:
A lot of people have the question if they should pursue the CFA Program or the MBA Program? Which certification you should take depends solely on your professional goals. CFA Program Charter and MBA both the certificates are expensive, require time and a lot of effort on the students part. It is very important to note the distinction between these two certifications.
MBA:
MBA is a Master's degree in Business Administration, where students are introduced to various areas of business such as accounting, marketing, human resources, operations management. There are also Business schools which offer PhD and master courses specializing in specific domains like consulting, finance, marketing, etc.
The career path after MBA, depends on a lot of factors, including your area of interest, previous work experience and business acumen of specific domain. A lot of employers recruit MBAs for team manager's profile where the employee is expected to manage and take quick decisions in their domains. The basic types of MBA courses are typically full time (2 years), part time for evening and weekend batches. There are also Executive MBAs which are specifically meant for more work experience people.
Nowadays, professionals engineers, CAs, Doctors, politicians go for MBA. Most of the business schools also prefer candidates with at least 4 -5 years of work experience. Almost all of the top B schools recognize GMAT exam s score to test student's aptitude. However, just giving the exam does not guarantee you an admission, there are a lot of other criteria also that B schools look for, like your past academic record, work experience, other academic qualifications and certifications etc. B-schools in India take CAT, SAT and XAT exams as there entrance examination.
CFA:
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is the certification provided by CFA Institute. The exam is categorized in 3 levels, based on the level of difficulty of the exam. Level I Exam is held twice a year whereas Level II and Level III are held only in June.
The CFA exam essentially tests your fundamental knowledge in Finance domain. Anyone having graduate degree is eligible to appear for the exam. People having degrees in domains other than finance are also eligible. These days engineers, doctors, MBAs who want their career in risk management, investment banking, opt for this exam. A lot of Business schools and firms also give preference to candidates who already have certifications.

A financial analyst is trained in the financial analysis which involves a thorough understanding of the company's finances, investments, growth plans, etc. Financial analysts are trained in corporate finance, financial services and investment management.
Financial analysts have lots of job opportunities in the following areas:
(a) Corporate Finance-The tasks relate to conceptual and technical inputs in the areas of Indian Financial System, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Management, Advanced Financial Management and International Financial Management.
(b) Investment Management-The job involves analysis with inputs from Economics, Quantitative techniques, Economic Legislation which is required by the Securities industry, Security evaluation and Investment Management.
(c) Financial Services-In this role, they undertake Project Planning, Venture Capital, Leasing, Hire Purchase, Factoring, New Issue Management, Credit Rating and other allied areas.
For more details, kindly refer: https://www.shiksha.com/careers/certified-financial-analyst-22

CFA programme is a professional credential offered by CFA Institute to Investment and Financial professionals. To enroll in the CFA Program and register for your first Level I exam, you must have an international travel passport and one of the following:
(a)Undergraduate education: A Bachelor's (or equivalent) degree or be in the final year of your Bachelor's degree program (you must have completed your Bachelor's degree program in order to register for the Level II exam), or
(b)Work experience: Four years of professional work experience (does not have to be investment related), or
(c)A combination of professional work experience and education that totals at least four years (part-time positions do not qualify, and the four-year total must be accrued prior to enrollment).
You are advised to complete your graduation degree to become eligible for CFA.

For those considering a career in investment, the question of whether to obtain a CFA or Masters in Finance designation has always arisen. Both have their pluses, as both degrees provide knowledge about the financial industry. However, there is a substantial difference between them. While the Masters in Finance provides more general knowledge and is better suited for those who practise in more general fields in the business and financial sector, the CFA programme is particularly tailored to those who need more specialised skills, such as investment analysis, portfolio strategy and asset management.
The Masters in Finance
The MSF provides a very wide knowledge in every sector related to financial services commercial banking, corporate finance, financial analysis and personal finances advisory services, insurance, investment banking, money management, property, business consultancy, taxation, risk management, funds management, stock-brokerage services and underwriting.
It is widely known that professionals in the industry have the highest salaries. The programme provides technical skills, improves the critical thinking of its attendees and teaches real business models.