Jobs for Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA) Graduates

The local investment analyst credential

The Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA) qualification is examined by KASNEB and focuses on investment analysis, portfolio management, corporate finance, financial markets and ethics. Graduates join the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA). It is often described as the Kenyan counterpart to the international CFA, with a syllabus tailored to Kenyan markets, regulation and tax, and it is considerably cheaper to sit.

Where CIFA holders work

• Investment analyst and research analyst roles in fund managers, stockbrokers and investment banks
• Treasury, credit analysis and relationship management in commercial banks
• Pension fund and insurance investment departments
• Wealth management, financial advisory and corporate finance roles

Who can register

KASNEB accepts students with a KCSE mean grade of C+ and certain subject grades, as well as degree and diploma holders, who may be exempted from some papers. Many people take CIFA after a BCom, economics or actuarial degree, and some combine it with CPA to cover both accounting and investment work.

Regulation in the sector

Investment firms in Kenya are licensed by the Capital Markets Authority, and roles such as fund manager or investment adviser carry licensing and fit-and-proper requirements for key staff. CIFA is widely recognised in that space. Banking roles follow Central Bank of Kenya rules, so employers value candidates who understand prudential guidelines and credit risk.

Building a career

Entry-level investment roles are few and competitive, so many CIFA holders start in banking operations, credit or customer-facing advisory roles and move across after a couple of years. Following markets daily is part of the job: know current interest rates, the Treasury bill yields and how money market funds are performing. BusinessRadar tracks Kenyan money market funds and business news, which makes useful interview preparation. A track record of written stock or sector analysis, even self-published, helps you stand out.

Expect technical interviews: valuation of a listed company, bond pricing, and how a change in the Central Bank Rate would affect a portfolio are all common questions.