CFA Institute is expanding its private markets certificate options to provide targeted PE knowledge and job-ready financial modeling skills.
Our certificates portfolio will expand with the 22 May release of the Private Equity Certificate.
Underpinned by CFA® Program content and developed in response to an identified need for private equity content that incorporates financial modeling, the new intermediate-level certificate focuses on the practical skills and outcomes expected of an analyst or associate at a private equity firm. The certificate will cover the job-ready skills required to thrive in the private equity landscape, including how to build robust leveraged buyout (LBO) models, assess deals, and leverage value creation strategies.
Additionally, the new certificate will serve the needs of small to mid-sized PE firms by providing them with high-quality content to onboard new hires and improve retention.
The Private Equity Certificate will be the second certificate offered in the private markets space, building on the foundational Private Markets & Alternative Investments Certificate released in September 2023. A third certificate, the Advanced Private Equity Certificate, for which the Private Equity Certificate will be a mandatory pre-requisite, will launch in early 2025.
CFA Institute’s expanding suite of private markets educational offerings, listed below, demonstrates our commitment to equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an evolving investment landscape:
- Private Markets & Alternative Investments Certificate (foundational)
- Private Equity Certificate (intermediate)
- Advanced Private Equity Certificate (launching in 2025)
- CFA Program: Private Markets Specialized Pathway
Key Facts about the Private Equity Certificate
- Private Markets Essentials
- Private Equity
- Private Debt for Private Equity Practitioners
- Intermediate Financial Modeling
- General Partner (GP) Perspectives
- Learners will have an opportunity to test out of Course 1 through pre-module assessments.
- The online final assessment will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions.
- Registration will open on 22 May 2024.
- Courses 1 & 2 will be available beginning 21 August 2024. The remaining three courses will be released thereafter on a monthly schedule.
There are no mandatory pre-requisites, but a foundational understanding of private equity is recommended (through the Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate, Level I of the CFA Program, or relevant work experience).
Look for a press release to be posted to our enterprise site on 22 May. We will also begin promoting the certificate across digital channels to drive registrations ahead the first courses being available in August 2024.
Marketing Toolkit for Private Equity Certificate
A promotional toolkit for societies, including a fact sheet, syllabus, and social media posts and assets is now available. Look for more resources to be added in the coming weeks. Access the toolkit.
Did You Know?
Societies already have complimentary access (through a special coupon code) and demo access (which gives a preview of content) to many of our courses and certificates to help you understand the content and learning experience. Demo access will be available for the new Private Equity Certificate beginning in September 2024.
Visit Society Center for more details.
Private Markets Thought Leadership and Research
In addition to our educational offerings, CFA Institute continues to be an influential voice in matters related to private markets and private equity. Explore these resources for recent insights and activities from our Research, Advocacy, and Standards division:
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