CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST
WHAT IS A CFA CHARTER?
The CFA Charter is a globally recognized, graduate-level investment credential. This self-study program has three levels of examinations and has a curriculum that is focused on the practical knowledge and current real-world skills necessary in the global investment management profession. Ethical and professional standards are also emphasized at every level. The CFA Charter is recognized by regulatory bodies in many countries as a proxy for meeting certain licensing requirements.
THE CFA EQUATION
BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR IN FINAL YEAR OF BACHELOR’S + LEVEL I, II, III EXAMS + 4 YEARS WORK EXPERIENCE = CFA CHARTER
“ EARLY IN MY CAREER, MY BOSS TOLD ME IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU’D BETTER THINK ABOUT EARNING THE CFA CHARTER. “
Dr. Bruce Wonil Lee, CFA Seoul, SOUTH KOREA
EARN A CFA THROUGH AFM
Does earning a CFA designation spark your interest? If yes, you’re in luck. AFM is recognized under the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
The AFM curriculum fulfills a minimum of 70 per cent of the CFA Program Level I Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK). Covering academic theory, current industry practice as well as ethical and professional standards to provide a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and portfolio-management skills:
- Access to all levels of the CFA Program sample exam
- Access to 15 CFA Program Awareness Scholarships worth $1,000 each year to help cover enrolment fees and standard registration fees
That means in 4 years, you'll earn:
- a unique degree that’s recognized in the marketplace – Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management (BAFM)
- up to 16 months of professional work experience that can be focused in the area of finance
- the ability to challenge the CFA Level I and Level II designation exams by the time you graduate
CFA CHARTER
The CFA Charter is earned through completing a Bachelor’s degree (or being in your final year), as well as the Level I, II, and III Exams, while also having 4 years of work experience under your belt.
You must also become a member of the CFA Institute and apply for membership with a local society (for example, CFA Society Toronto). To join the CFA Institute, you must pledge to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
“ OUR INDUSTRY HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRODUCTS AND THE CFA PROGRAM COVERS EVERY SINGLE DIFFERENT AREA. “
Ken Luce, CFA Toronto, CANADA
CFA AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The CFA Society Student Ambassador Program is designed to give finance and economics undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities the opportunity to represent our university relations programming at your school. Student Ambassadors establish new university relations contacts, develop new outreach opportunities, build relationships with student organizations and assist in the coordination of partnership events.
The student ambassadors for Waterloo for the 2020/2021 school year is Julia Tu and Al Nameera Meghjani. They can be reached at uw.financeoutreach@gmail.com.
CFA SCHOLARSHIPS
CFA Institute Access Scholarship (waives enrolment fee and reduced exam fee of US$250) CFA Institute Student Scholarship (for affiliated universities only, UWaterloo is eligible, reduced exam fee of US$350) CFA Institute Women’s Scholarship (reduced exam fee of US$350)
CFA Society Toronto Undergrad Scholarships (3 prizes of C$3,000, C$2,000, C$1,000 available to 3rd and 4th year finance/economics students) CFA Institute Research Challenge CFA Canadian Ethics Challenge
Mitchell Ho, AFM student and first place recipient of the 2019 CFA Scholarship Award, talks about stepping out of his comfort zone and breaks down his winning essay entry.
Mitchell Ho, AFM student and first place recipient of the 2019 CFA Scholarship Award, describes some of the opportunities that he’s gotten through winning this award