Frequently Asked Questions: CFA Society San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the CFA Society San Francisco FAQ page—your go-to resource for answers to commonly asked questions about membership, events, your account, and more. Whether you're a long-time member, a candidate, or exploring how to get involved, you'll find helpful information to guide your experience with the Society.

If you don’t see your question listed, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call (415) 814-7900. We’re here to help.

Using the New Website & Member Profile

We’ve recently launched a new website and member platform to improve your experience. Below are answers to common questions to help you navigate the updated system with ease.

How do I log in to my member profile on the new website?

Please note: your membership and login are tied to the email address you used in our previous system.

If it’s your first time logging into the new site, you’ll need to set a new password. Click here to create your new login credentials.

If you've already logged in using our new website, click on the "Forgotten Password" link on the login page. For additional assistance with logging in, email [email protected].

How can I view or download my past event registrations and invoices?

If you’ve registered for an event or made a purchase through our new website (after August 4, 2025), you can view and download your receipts and invoices at any time by logging into your profile and navigating to the Order History section of your profile.

For purchases made through our previous system (before August 4, 2025), past invoices and receipts are available by request until November 15, 2025. After that date, historical transaction records will no longer be accessible.

To request a copy of an invoice or receipt from a purchase made before August 4, 2025, please email [email protected] before the November 15 deadline.

How do I update my profile and contact details?

To keep your information up to date, log in to your CFA Society San Francisco account and visit the Edit Profile page. From there, you can:

Update your contact information, employer, and personal details
Manage your email preferences under the Contact Preferences section to ensure you receive the right communications
Customize your experience by selecting your interests and professional focus areas in the Personalization section—this helps us suggest events and content tailored to you

Keeping your profile current ensures you get the most relevant updates, benefits, and event invitations.

Membership & Eligibility

Curious about becoming a member or understanding the different types of membership we offer? CFA Society San Francisco welcomes professionals from all corners of the investment and finance industry. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, a CFA Program candidate, or a student exploring career paths, there’s a membership type designed to support your goals. Below are answers to common questions about who can join and what to expect as a member.

I’m not a CFA charterholder. Can I still become a member?

Yes! Membership is open to all investment and finance professionals, not just CFA charterholders. Whether you're looking to deepen your industry knowledge, expand your network, or grow professionally, CFA Society San Francisco offers a welcoming, career-enhancing community for you.

Learn more about our various memberships by visiting the Become a Member page of our website.

When does my membership expire?

All CFA Society San Francisco memberships expire on July 31—we do not offer rolling membership at this time.

If you apply or renew between January 1 and April 30, your membership will expire on July 31 of the current year. For example, if you join on May 15, 2025, your membership will be valid through July 31, 2026.

If you apply or renew after May 1, your membership will expire on July 31 of the following year. For example, if you join on January 15, 2025, your membership will be valid through July 31, 2025.

It’s already partway through the membership year. Can I still join?

Absolutely. You can join at any time.

If you’re a new Industry Member, your first year’s dues will be prorated based on when you join. Please note that Candidate and Student memberships are not prorated, as they’re already offered at a significant discount.

I don’t live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Is membership still valuable?

Yes! Approximately 10% of our members are located outside the Bay Area. With more than half of our programs offered virtually, you can fully engage with our events, content, and community from anywhere.

If I cancel my membership, am I eligible for a refund?

Unfortunately, membership dues are non-refundable. You may cancel at any time, but we are unable to issue refunds for the remainder of the membership term.

I'm a member of CFA Institute and have questions regarding my membership. Who do I contact?

For any questions related to your CFA Institute membership, including renewal, billing, or professional requirements, please contact the CFA Institute Global Support team directly.

You can reach them by email at [email protected] or by phone at (434) 951-5499. Additional resources and answers may also be available on the CFA Institute Customer Support webpage.

I have additional membership questions. Who do I contact?

For questions specific to your CFA Society San Francisco membership, submit an inquiry through our Contact Us form or email us at [email protected].

If your inquiry involves your CFA Institute membership, contact their Global Support team at [email protected] or (434) 951-5499.

Your Society Account & Website Access

Navigating our new website or logging into your profile for the first time? This section covers how to access your CFA Society San Francisco account, troubleshoot login issues, manage your profile, and understand how your Society login differs from your CFA Institute credentials.

I just joined or renewed but can't access my account. How do I log in?

If you joined or renewed through CFA Institute, your CFA Society San Francisco membership will sync within 24 hours. If you're a first-time member, you’ll receive a welcome email from [email protected] inviting you to activate your account and set a password. If you already had a profile, log in using your email address (usually the same as your CFA Institute login) and your existing password.

If you joined through the CFA Society San Francisco website, your membership is linked to the email address you used when creating your Society account. You must first create a Society profile before applying for membership through our site. Once your application is complete, your membership will be tied to that login.

If you haven’t received your welcome email or need help logging in, contact us at [email protected]—we’re happy to help. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for emails from [email protected].

I tried logging in with my CFA Institute credentials, but it didn’t work. Why?

CFA Society San Francisco operates independently from CFA Institute, and we do not share passwords or login systems. For security and privacy, all new website users and members must create a separate password for their Society account.

If you are a member of another CFA Society, you will need to create a new account on our website, as we do not have access to membership information from other Societies.

Both new and existing CFA Society San Francisco members must set a password when logging into our new website for the first time. Your username is typically your email address used for your membership.

If you have trouble logging in after setting your password, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance.

I forgot my username. Who do I contact?

Your username is you email address - usually your CFA Institute Email Address or the email you used when joining. If you're unsure, email [email protected] or call (415) 814-7902 and we’ll help you recover your login information.

Events & Programs

CFA Society San Francisco offers a robust calendar of in-person and virtual programming designed to innovate, inspire, and engage finance and investment professionals. This section answers your top questions about virtual and in-person programming, pricing, and registration support.

Where can I find the list of upcoming events?

Our Calendar of Events includes all upcoming programs, from thought-provoking webinars to social networking events. Browse by topic, format, or date to find programs that meet your interests and professional goals.

I registered for a webinar but didn’t receive a link. What should I do?

Zoom links are now available directly in the Event Registration section of your profile when you login to the CFA Society San Francisco website. Once logged in, navigate to Event Registration to view your upcoming registrations—your personalized Zoom link will be listed within each event.

You’ll also receive the Zoom link in both your registration confirmation and event reminder emails. If you still need assistance, please reach out to [email protected].

I registered for a webinar and can no longer attend. Is my registration refundable?

Unless otherwise noted, we do not offer refunds for virtual events. However, your registration grants you exclusive access to submit questions in advance, receive presentation materials, and access the replay before it’s made publicly available.

I’m a member, but I don’t see member pricing when registering. Why?

There are a few reasons why member pricing may not appear at checkout:

You may not have an active membership or your membership may have lapsed.
You may be logged into a non-member account. To receive member pricing, you must log in using the same email address associated with your CFA Institute account, which links your active membership to your Society profile.
Creating a website profile alone does not confirm membership. If you created a new account but haven’t officially joined the Society, you will not receive member benefits or pricing until you have an active membership.

If you’re unsure of your membership status or login credentials, please contact [email protected] before creating a new account—we’re happy to help resolve any issues promptly.

Can I rewatch a webinar that I attended in the past?

Yes! Most webinar recordings are available in our On-Demand Content Library or on the Society’s YouTube channel.

About the Society: Getting Involved & Leadership

Learn more about our governance policies, leadership structure, volunteer opportunities, and how organizations can collaborate with us. Whether you're a member, partner, or prospective volunteer, these resources will help you understand how the Society is structured and how you can get involved.

How can I volunteer with CFA Society San Francisco?

We offer several volunteer opportunities through programming councils, our Board of Directors, and event-based roles. Visit our Volunteer Page to view open opportunities, learn about our councils, and apply to get involved.

How can my organization become a sponsor or partner?

For over 95 years, CFA Society San Francisco has been the bedrock of the Bay Area financial community. As the premier association for investment professionals, CFA Society San Francisco offers many partnership opportunities that provide meaningful ways to connect with finance professionals through events, content, and career programming.

Visit our Sponsorship Page or email [email protected] to learn more and explore custom packages to meet your goals.

Where can I find Society policies and governance documents?

You can view CFA Society San Francisco’s Bylaws, Event Policy, Complaint Reporting Policy, Privacy Policy, and more by visiting the footer of our website or by clicking here.

Who operates the Society?

Meet the dedicated professional staff, Board of Directors, and volunteer council members who work together to serve our members and support the investment industry. You can learn more about our leadership team by visiting the Who We Are page.

If you have a question for a specific staff member or Society leader, please reach out through our Contact Us form and we’ll ensure your message is routed to the right person.

CFA Program & Exam Support

Whether you're preparing for the CFA exam or already enrolled in the program, we’re here to support you. This section addresses how CFA Program candidates can engage with the Society, access prep materials, and find help for exam-related questions through CFA Institute.

I am a CFA Exam candidate. Can I become a member of the Society?

Yes! CFA Society San Francisco is one of the few global CFA Societies offering a membership exclusively for CFA Program Candidates. To qualify for local Candidate Membership, you must be enrolled in an upcoming CFA Program Exam. Click here for a complete list of criteria and apply for membership.

Does the Society offer any exam prep available for the CFA Program exam or other designations and certificates?

CFA Society San Francisco partners with Kaplan Schweser to offer exclusive discounts on CFA Program Exam prep materials and other professional designations, such as the CAIA and CFP, as well as graduate school admission prep materials for the upcoming graduate student in your life!

I have a question about my upcoming CFA Program Exam. Who do I contact?

For questions regarding your CFA Program Exam (cancellation, deferrals, or general questions), you will need to contact the CFA Institute. You may contact them at [email protected] or (434) 951-5499. Answers to your questions may also be available on the CFA Program Exam Customer Support webpage.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions