Accounting for Financial Analysts

CFI's Accounting for Financial Analyst Specialization provides a practical understanding of core and advanced accounting concepts. Starting with fundamental accounting concepts, the curriculum covers detailed financial statement analysis for banks and insurance companies, business combinations, and equity investments.

Key topics also include specialized accounting for inventory, leases, shares outstanding and earnings per share, along with techniques for normalizing income statements.

To enroll in the AFA Specialization Program, you must have an active Self-Study or Full-Immersion Subscription. Click here to review and select the subscription that best suits your needs!

No additional fees are required to earn your certification once you've enrolled.

Accounting For Financial Analysts Specialization Requirements

Please click here and select "How it Works" to learn more about earning your Business Essentials Specialization requirements.

• Step 1: Complete all required coursework.
• Step 2: Sign the CFI Honor Pledge. Program candidates must sign and abide by the CFI Honor Pledge to receive and maintain program certification. Failure to abide by the CFI Honor Pledge will result in the revocation of one's certificates.
• Step 3 (optional): View and download your online certificate & student transcript.

Duration & Delivery

Lectures, study materials, and exams are all online and accessible worldwide, allowing the program to be completed anytime on a self-paced timeline. 

The estimated time required to complete the Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization is 31 hours.

Improve Your Skills & Advance Your Career

Designed for real-world application, this specialization will prepare you to interpret and analyze financial statements across different companies, industries, and geographies. Careers in Accounting for Financial Analysts include:

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): FP&A professionals help guide company strategy by performing budgeting, forecasting, and analysis that support major corporate decisions of the CFO, CEO, and the Board of Directors. Knowledge of accounting is absolutely crucial in order to analyze key metrics and project financial targets.
• Corporate Development: Corporate Development professionals analyze potential acquisition opportunities, similar to M&A advisors at investment banks. The difference is that corporate development professionals work for corporations and not at sell-side investment banks. A thorough understand of accounting is necessary to analyze potential acquisition targets as well as performing due diligence.
• Investment Banking: Investment banking financial analysts help companies facilitiate financial transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises. Accounting knowledge helps them assess the financial health of companies involved in transactions, conduct due diligence, and structure deals to maximize value for clients.
• Private Equity: Private equity professionals make significant investments in private companies. Accounting knowledge allows PE analysts to perform thorough due diligence, evaluate financial health, and structure investments effectively. This knowledge helps support accurate valuation, portfolio management, and exit strategies, helping ensure adequate returns on investment.
• Equity Research: Knowledge of accounting helps equity research analysts evaluate financial statements, assess company profitability, and forecast future performance. This foundational skill supports rigorous valuation modeling, enhancing credibility with clients and investors.