I have 2 questions about work experience and obtaining the CFA charter:
Lets say you start the CFA program in 2010 and pass all the tests by 2013 does and have been working the entire time (at some relevant job) does that mean that you can receive the charter in 2014? OR do you have to wait 4 years AFTER passing the final exam (2017) to obtain it?
Also, what is the role of the CFA charterholder sponsor?
The four years of experience can be before, during, or after you pass the exams. So yes, you could get it in 2014 assuming all 4 years qualify.
I don’t know the answer to your 2nd question though.
In addition to passing all 3 exams and having 4 years of qualifying work experience, you have to have 2 sponsors to join the CFAI and a local society. One of the “sponsors” is supposed to be your immediate supervisor and the other has to be a member of the local society you are joining. You must remain a member of CFAI to retain the charter.
If unemployed or self-employed, you can just use 2 members of your local society instead
The sponsor is supposed to vouch for your work experience, at least that was what my impression was.
^ Yes, but CFAI or the local society have the power to veto it
not necessarily unemployed or self-employed - if the organization you work for. has rules indicating that the supervisor is not allowed to sponsor you or your supervisor is not a charterholder himself - then 2 “other” charterholders - at least one of whom belongs to the CFA local society you will join - vouches for your work experience.
Veto what? Your work experience? If so, then correct. But the sponsor is supposed to provide a description of the candidate’s responsibilities, so that is what I was referring to.
Your supervisor does not need to be a member of the CFAI, but will need to set up an account to complete thier part. Which consists of a brief description of your responsibilites and answering yes/no questions on whther your work contributes directly to the investment process, does it represent the majortiy of your time working and do they know of any reasons you should not be allowed into CFAI (Ethics, character etc.)
Once you have your 4 year working experience, and pass all the test. Simply pick up the phone and call your local CFA society and ask for one of their current member to sponsor you. They are very helpful…I got my done in less than a week.