ESG - CFA Certificate in ESG Investing

There are nine topic areas in the syllabus:

1. Introduction to ESG

• ESG Concepts & Approaches
• Benefits & Challenges
• Materiality of ESG Issues
• ESG Megatrends

2. The ESG Market

• Size & Scope of ESG Investing
• Key Market Drivers
• ESG Issues & Sustainability Trends
• ESG Implementation Challenges

3. Environmental Factors

• Key Evidence-Based Environmental Concepts
• Megatrends & Relationship to Business Practices
• Applying Material Impacts on Investment Opportunities

4. Social Factors

• Key Evidence-Based Social Concepts
• Social Issues & Relationship to Business Practices
• Applying Material Impacts on Investment Opportunities

5. Governance Factors

• Corporate Governance Frameworks & Models
• Applying Material Impacts on Investment Opportunities
• Applying Factors to Financial Modelling, Risk Assessment, etc

6. Engagement & Stewardship

• Purpose of Engagement & Stewardship
• Stewardship Codes & Principle Requirements
• Methods & Engagement in Practice by asset class

7. ESG Analysis, Valuation & Integration

• Objectives of ESG Integration by Approaches & Challenges
• Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches by Asset Class
• ESG Databases & Software
• CRA’s ESG Scoring, Screening

8. ESG Integrated Portfolio Construction & Management

• Portfolio Construction & Management
• ESG Factors on Strategic Asset Allocation Models
• Evaluating ESG Investments
• Managing Risk & Return, Passive Portfolios

9. Investment Mandates, Portfolio Analytics & Client Reporting

• Mandate Construction and Effective
• Delivery of ESG Investing
• ESG Screening
• Client Types & ESG Strategy
• Reporting, Monitoring & Measurement

The CFA Institute recommends at least a month of study before booking the exam. Then depending on their study pacing, schedule their exam one month prior to their desired exam period. At a minimum, students should allow 2 working days after receiving their registration confirmation to schedule your exam.

What is included in the USD 795?

The certificate registration includes the following:

• The registration fee;
• The CFA ESG Investing Official Training Manual in pdf format (the book); and
• Access to the CFA Institute Learning Ecosystem (LES).

Are there specific / fixed dates defined by the CFA Institute to do the exam?

No. The CFA ESG Institute does not define the exam date; candidates do.

The only limitation may be the number of exam spots available on specific dates. We advise our candidates to book their exams two to three weeks in advance to avoid any potential exam "overbooking."

CFA Institute now offers two different ways to take your exam: In-Person Site Testing (IST) at a testing center, or Online Proctored Testing (OPT), where you may take the test at home if you meet certain strict vendor requirements. You can take a test drive of each experience on the CFA website before booking your exam.

Exams is on-demand, based on availability (open slots). 

Passing score: 60 to 70%

To pass the exam you will need a score of at least 60 to 70%. The exact pass mark is not published but is adjusted to take account of question difficulty. You get your provisional result immediately at the end of the exam.

We are so sure that you will pass first time, that you can come back for free if you don't. Please find out about our Pass Assured requirements before commencing the course. Our Pass Assured Guarantee is underwritten by the course provider, BPP (UK).