When I first began pursuing the CFA charter, I was a lone wolf. I didn’t do any prep courses. I didn’t get any materials other than the curriculum books. I didn’t talk to other candidates. I didn’t look at forums. And despite not having had much background, I didn’t engage with my local society.… Not surprisingly, I failed.
Read MoreWhen I left a well-known consulting firm in Paris and moved to Toronto, I knew immigrants in Canada usually struggle to get their first job because of the lack of Canadian experience or Canadian education. I had neither of these, so naturally I felt lucky that I was able to land my first job quite easily. Even though I had what was considered a good experience in treasury risks, hedge accounting, and financial risk management in general, I felt that I needed an additional asset education-wise to fully compete in the Canadian job market on Bay Street.
Read MoreIt’s 7:30 p.m. and I had been in the office since 7:30 a.m. I was staring at a blank PowerPoint slide on one screen and a Bloomberg homepage on the other. For the last several weeks, I had been working tirelessly as our firm prepared to go on the road and raise capital from investors.
Read MoreI started the journey to becoming a CFA charterholder when I was a first-year finance doctoral student. Like all CFA candidates, I had strategically researched the topic area weights and allocated my study time. I had purposely put a hold on my social life and committed to the 300-hour study. I had carefully completed the assigned readings and attempted the practice questions.
Read MoreThe general public’s awareness of such issues as climate change, labor practices, and corruption has greatly increased in recent decades. We’ve all heard of huge multinational corporations caught (and fined for) polluting the environment, bribing government officials for permits and contracts, or exploiting outsourced workforces in developing countries.
Read MoreI’d like to share some mindset hacks helpful in passing the CFA exams, along with some pointers on how to approach this daunting and rewarding experience. As a charterholder myself, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring candidates through all three levels, and I hope this helps you in your studies.
Read MoreConsidering the CFA charter? Wondering whether you should get an MBA or a CFA charter (or both)? Trying to decide your career path in the world of finance given changing industry trends and the rise of FinTech?
Read MoreI went three for three on the CFA® exams. There was (no question) some level of luck and good fortune, I do believe there were a few things I did that aided my success, and maybe some or all can help you on your own successful path.
Read MoreThe CFA curriculum was not only intellectually fascinating, but it added enormous value to me—and, I dare to say, to Axpo Trading, the organization that I’ve had the privilege of leading.
Read MoreMany times, when clients hear the word “diversification,” they think the more assets, the better. However, not all additions to a portfolio are created equal.
Read MoreThere are many reasons to become a CFA charterholder. You will find near-universal agreement that holding the CFA designation improves your job prospects across the globe, adds significantly to your human capital, and grows your professional prestige and personal brand.
Read MoreThe new 2024 CFA curriculum has been released for Levels I and III. This article will summarize all of the important changes to the curriculum and how it affects your preparation.
Read MoreWhen I saw a request go out for help sharing my experience and insight by contributing a guest post to a new blog, I thought it would be a great opportunity to shine a light on a smaller group in the CFA charterholder community. I am a CFA charterholder, and I do not work in the money management or financial services industry.
Read MoreWhen evaluating investments, analysts are taught to focus qualitatively on the sources of competitive advantage and quantitatively on forecasts for growth, profitability, and returns on capital. Little emphasis is placed on the shareholder base. But not all businesses have the same
The word alpha has many meanings. In finance, we use the term to describe the excess risk-adjusted rate of return in reference to some benchmark. This definition is in no way incorrect, but it’s a shallow application of the word.
Read MoreThe time or term structure of interest rates, often referred to as “yield curves,” moves continuously as bond prices respond to changes in interest rates. The yield curve graphs this relationship between bond yields (change in price reflected in yield) and bond maturity (time or term).
Read MoreSo you made a decision to become a CFA® charterholder, registered for the CFA level 1 exams, and have prepared thus far. Well done!
Now, remember, CFA Level 1 is only the first of three battles which you have to wage to get to your goal: the CFA charter.
Read MoreThe complete time horizon for most investors follows a common path; initially, there’s an “accumulation” phase in which positive cash flows are added periodically to their portfolio’s balance, and later, a multiyear “distribution” phase in which cash flows turn negative and withdrawals are made to support the investor’s income needs in retirement.
Read MoreWould you like to say you “just got started” or that you are “almost done”? Would you rather be at the beginning, or near the end of accomplishing a significant goal in your life and career? This is the difference between failing and passing CFA Level II.
Read MoreMy background may differ from many candidates, in that although I work at an asset management firm, I work in a legal-compliance role. Even though I do not participate in core investment analysis for my firm, pursuing the CFA charter has been invaluable to me in terms of having the proper context to give guidance.
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