How to Use a Financial Calculator for Time Value of Money (CFA Level 1)

1. General Guide to the Calculator

For the Chartered Financial Analyst Level I exam, one of the most commonly used financial calculators is the Texas Instruments BA II Plus.

This calculator is essential for solving Time Value of Money (TVM) problems quickly and accurately.

Botones clave que deberías conocer:

• N → Number of periods
• I/Y → Interest rate per period
• PV → Present value
• FV → Future value
• PMT → Payment per period
• CPT → Compute (used to calculate unknown values)
• BGN / END → Payment timing mode

2. Using the Calculator for Time Value of Money

En Time Value of Money (TVM) is a core concept in CFA Level I, involving:

• Present value (PV)
• Future value (FV)
• Annuities and cash flows

Example 1

Problem:
Parents are planning for their newborn’s future university tuition, estimated at $50,000 per year for four years, with the first payment due in 18 years.
Assuming a 6% effective annual rate, what is the required deposit today?

Options:

• A. $60,699
• B. $64,341
• C. $68,201

Solution (Concept):

Se trata de un deferred annuity problem:

1. First, calculate the value of the 4-year tuition payments at year 18
2. Then discount that value back to today

Use: END mode (payments occur at end of each year)

Example 2

Problem:
Mathew Jones wants to fund his son’s college education for 4 years, starting 8 years from today.
Estimated cost: $40,000/year, paid at the beginning of each year.

He plans to invest annually for the next 7 years, starting one year from now.
Assume a 10% annual return.

How much must he invest each year?

Solution (Concept):

This involves:

• Annuity due (BGN mode) for tuition payments
• Then solving for the required annual investment (PMT)

Steps:

1. Calculate the present value of tuition at year 8 (BGN mode)
2. Discount back to today
3. Solve for PMT over 7 years

Ejemplo 3

Problem:
An investor deposits $500 mensual durante 48 meses, comenzando hoy.
El valor de la cuenta después de 4 años es $29,000.

¿Cuál es la tasa de interés anual?

Options:

• A. 9.50%
• B. 10.00%
• C. 9.00%

Solution (Concept):

Se trata de un problema de anualidad mensual vencida:

• Los pagos comienzan de inmediato → modo BGN
• Resolver para I/Y, luego convertir a tasa anual