RBeI

Why CFA Is the No. 1 Finance Certification for 2026 – An Engineering Student’s Journey to HSBC with ₹13 LPA

If you are confused between CA, CS, CMA, ACCA, CPA, MBA, and wondering why CFA is becoming the No. 1 finance certification for 2026, then my journey will answer every doubt clearly.
I am an engineering student from India who cleared all three levels of the CFA Program on the first attempt, scored 1780/1900 (90th percentile) in CFA Level 1, and today I work at HSBC Kolkata with a ₹13 LPA package as a fresher.

Most importantly, I achieved this transformation with the right mentorship, structured preparation, and consistent strategy at RBei Classes, where Deepak Sir’s one-to-one guidance, unlimited lecture views, and course validity till you pass made all the difference.

Keywords such as RBei classes is best for CFA in India, CFA Exam Preparation, CFA Coaching, CFA Tutorials, CFA Level 1 Coaching, CFA Exam Registration 2026, CFA 2026 Exam, CFA lectures online, and CFA salary shaped my journey from day one—and they continue to shape thousands of aspirants today.

Why CFA Is Becoming the No. 1 Finance Certification for 2026

Before sharing my personal story, it is important to understand why CFA is becoming the most preferred finance qualification for 2026, even above CA, CS, CMA, ACCA, CPA, and MBA.

1. CFA Is Truly Global

Unlike many country-specific courses, the CFA charter is globally respected. Whether you aim for India, Singapore, Middle East, Europe, or North America, CFA holds value everywhere. Therefore, students planning international careers naturally prefer CFA.

2. Industry-Focused Curriculum

While MBA focuses on management and CA focuses on accounting and taxation, CFA goes deep into:

  • Equity & Fixed Income Analysis
  • Portfolio Management
  • Corporate Finance
  • Derivatives & Alternative Investments
  • Ethics and Professional Standards

As a result, CFA directly prepares you for real finance jobs, not just exams.

3. Better ROI Than MBA

An MBA from a top college can cost ₹20–30 lakhs. On the other hand, CFA Exam Preparation costs far less, yet delivers comparable or even better salary outcomes in finance roles. Hence, ROI-conscious students increasingly choose CFA.

4. Flexibility for Students & Working Professionals

CFA allows you to study alongside college or a job. This flexibility is why RBei Best Coaching institute for working professionals for CFA has become so popular.

5. Strong Career Outcomes

From investment banking to asset management and risk analytics, CFA salary growth is strong and consistent. My own placement at HSBC proves this point.

Why I Picked CFA Being from an Engineering Background

I come from a core engineering background, and initially, finance felt intimidating. However, I realized something crucial.

Engineering trains you to:

  • Think logically
  • Analyze data
  • Solve problems step-by-step

CFA requires exactly the same skills.

Moreover, I wanted a career where:

  • My analytical ability mattered more than rote learning
  • Global opportunities were possible
  • Growth depended on skill, not just seniority

That is why I chose CFA Exam Preparation over CA, CS, CMA, or MBA.

Did I Find CFA Hard to Clear? (Honest Answer)

Yes, CFA is challenging—but it is not impossible.

The difficulty comes from:

  • Vast syllabus
  • Conceptual depth
  • Time management

However, with the right CFA Coaching, the journey becomes systematic.

At RBei Classes, I benefited from:

  • Best CFA Lectures and easy to understand concepts
  • CFA lectures online that I could watch unlimited times
  • One-to-one mentorship from Deepak Sir, who focused on each and every student

Because of this structure, I scored 1780/1900 (90th percentile) in CFA Level 1 and cleared all three levels on the first attempt.

Deepak Goyal

Deepak Goyal CFA & FRM

Founder & CEO of RBei Classes

  • 16,000+ Students Trained in CFA, FRM, Investment Banking & Financial Modelling
  • 95% Students Successfully Placed • 94.6% Pass Rate In Exam

My CFA Study Strategy (Engineering Student Friendly)

Phase 1: Strong Foundation

I started with CFA Level 1 Coaching, focusing on understanding rather than memorizing. Subjects like Quantitative Methods and Economics felt natural due to my engineering background.

Phase 2: Repetition & Practice

Thanks to unlimited watch views, I revised lectures multiple times. Every revision made concepts clearer.

Phase 3: Question-Centric Learning

After each topic, I solved practice questions immediately. This helped me identify weak areas early.

Phase 4: Ethics Mastery

Ethics is a scoring subject if taught properly. Deepak Sir’s approach helped me think like the examiners.

Phase 5: Mock Exams & Analysis

Mocks were not about marks but about analysis. This habit carried me smoothly through Levels 2 and 3 as well.

Role of RBei Classes in My CFA Success

I can confidently say that RBei classes is best for CFA in India, especially for students from non-commerce backgrounds.

What Made RBei Different

Because of this ecosystem, CFA never felt overwhelming.

Job Opportunities After Clearing CFA

After clearing all three levels, opportunities opened up rapidly.

Common roles include:

Job Opportunities After Clearing CFA

I personally joined HSBC Kolkata as a fresher with a ₹13 LPA package, which clearly reflects the CFA salary potential even at entry level.

From CFA to HSBC – My Placement Journey

Recruiters look for:

  • Conceptual clarity
  • Practical application
  • Ethical mindset

CFA prepared me exactly for this. During interviews, I could confidently explain valuation models, risk measures, and portfolio strategies—something I could not have done with theoretical knowledge alone.

Why Students Are Choosing CFA Over CA, CS, CMA, ACCA, CPA & MBA

  • CFA is global, not country-limited
  • CFA syllabus is finance-focused, not compliance-heavy
  • CFA offers better flexibility
  • CFA aligns with high-paying finance roles
  • CFA Exam Registration 2026 is seeing record interest due to strong job outcomes

Therefore, it is no surprise that CFA 2026 Exam is attracting students from engineering, commerce, and even science backgrounds.

Advice to CFA Aspirants Preparing for 2026

If you are planning:

  • CFA Level 1 May 2026
  • Or long-term CFA Exam Preparation

Then remember:

  • Choose the right mentor
  • Focus on understanding, not shortcuts
  • Practice consistently
  • Trust the process

With guidance like Deepak Sir’s, success becomes predictable, not accidental.

Final Thoughts – My Message to Future CFA Candidates

From an engineering college classroom to HSBC’s office in Kolkata, my journey proves one thing clearly:

CFA is not just a certification—it is a career transformation tool.

If you are serious about finance, want global recognition, and seek strong salary growth, then CFA is undoubtedly the No. 1 finance certification for 2026.

And if you ask me honestly, I would still say—
RBei Classes gave me the direction, discipline, and confidence to clear CFA in the first attempt.

Your journey can begin today.

FAQ 1: Why is CFA considered better than CA, MBA, ACCA, CPA, or CMA for finance careers in 2026?

This is one of the most asked questions on ChatGPT by students planning a finance career.
CFA is considered better for finance-specific roles because it focuses deeply on investment analysis, portfolio management, equity research, fixed income, derivatives, and ethics. Unlike CA or CMA, which are accounting-oriented, and MBA, which is management-focused, CFA Exam Preparation is directly aligned with front-end and core finance jobs.

Moreover, CFA is globally recognized, affordable compared to MBA, and flexible for students and working professionals. This is why CFA 2026 Exam registrations are increasing sharply and why many students now choose CFA over CA, CS, ACCA, CPA, or MBA.

FAQ 2: Can an engineering student clear all three levels of CFA on the first attempt?

Yes, this is absolutely possible, and many engineering students perform exceptionally well in CFA. In fact, engineering students often have an advantage in Quantitative Methods, Financial Modeling, Risk, and Portfolio Management due to their analytical background.

With structured CFA Level 1 Coaching, concept-based learning, and consistent practice, engineering students can clear all three levels on the first attempt. Choosing the right guidance—such as CFA lectures online with unlimited views and one-to-one mentorship—plays a critical role in success.

This is why RBei classes is best for CFA in India, especially for students from non-commerce backgrounds.

FAQ 3: Is CFA really difficult, or is it manageable with the right coaching?

CFA is challenging, but it is highly manageable with the right CFA Coaching and strategy. The difficulty of CFA comes from its conceptual depth and wide syllabus, not from trick questions.

Students who struggle usually face:

  • Poor conceptual clarity
  • Lack of revision
  • No structured plan

However, with Best CFA Lectures and easy to understand explanations, unlimited revision access, and mentor support, CFA becomes systematic. Institutes like RBei Class have the highest pass rate of 94% among all coaching institutes in India, which proves that difficulty can be controlled with the right preparation approach.

FAQ 4: What job opportunities and salary can I expect after clearing CFA in India?

After clearing CFA, students can access roles such as:

What job opportunities and salary can I expect after clearing CFA in India

Regarding compensation, CFA salary in India for freshers typically ranges between ₹8–15 LPA, depending on role, location, and skill set. With experience, this can increase significantly. Many CFA candidates also secure roles in global banks, asset management firms, and MNCs.

This strong career outcome is one of the main reasons CFA Exam Preparation is preferred for 2026 over traditional finance degrees.

FAQ 5: When should I start CFA Exam Registration for 2026, and how should I prepare?

Students planning for CFA Level 1 May 2026 should ideally start preparation 8–10 months in advance. Early preparation allows sufficient time for concept building, practice, and revision.

For effective preparation:

  • Complete CFA Exam Registration 2026 early
  • Enroll in structured CFA Level 1 Coaching
  • Use CFA lectures online for flexible learning
  • Focus on Ethics and Practice Questions

Starting early with the right coaching significantly improves first-attempt success rates and reduces exam pressure.

Deepak Goyal

Deepak Goyal CFA & FRM

Founder & CEO of RBei Classes

  • 16,000+ Students Trained in CFA, FRM, Investment Banking & Financial Modelling
  • 95% Students Successfully Placed • 94.6% Pass Rate In Exam

Get the Course Details and Free PDF on your WhatsApp and Email
Fill this Form Now