Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA)

The Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA) is a professional designation for investment professionals throughout the world. The Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA) designation attempts to help candidates attain higher levels of professionalism and ethics in the profession of investment management and analysis. The LIFA examinations require an in-depth knowledge of investment principles, along with an understanding of global capital markets. The program is administered by the International Research Association (IRA).

Like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, the LIFA designation requires candidates to pass three proctored examinations. The IRA attempts to keep the pass rate at an acceptable (or lower) level, believing that the validity of the designation is based on pass rates, and thus the quality of the designees: lower pass rates equal a more valuable designation. Subject areas covered by the tests include asset valuation, corporate finance, derivatives, economics, financial statement analysis, ethics, portfolio management, international markets and quantitative analysis.

The completion of all three exams in this program allows a professional to achieve the recognition that they have attained the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards in the investment industry. The main focus of the LIFA™ exam is to measure professional excellence in a broad curriculum of investment-related subjects. For an in-depth breakdown of the above topics described, refer to the PDF curriculum guide provided by the International Research Association.
Time Limit:   4 hours
Cost:  Varies between $155 and $600
Number of Questions:   200
Format: Multiple Choice
Prerequisites:   A U.S. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent must be earned by December 31st of the year the first exam is attempted.
Exam Date(s):   260+ days throughout the year.
Exam Location:   Moodle online (https://www.moodle.org)
Official Exam Website:   www.lifaexam.org/