CFA exam registrations up 43%

Registration by Filipino finance professionals for CFA registration has grown by 43 percent.

CFA Society of the Philippines (CFA Philippines) reported that there are 308 CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) examination registrations from the Philippines to take the CFA examinations this June 8, 2008 in Mandarin Oriental Manila, Makati City.

This represents an increase of 43 percent over June last year. The Level I examination is offered in June and December, while Level II and Level III exams are only offered in June.

 The CFA Program, managed by CFA Institute, is the global standard for investment knowledge.

The CFA designation is achieved by individuals who have mastered three rigorous, six-hour exams covering topics that include ethics, financial statement analysis, valuation, derivatives, economics and alternative investments; and have gained at least four years hands-on experience.“

As the global financial markets become growingly connected with each other and financial professionals often go from one market to another for new opportunities, the CFA charter makes it easier for one to establish credibility and break the entry barrier,”  CFA Philippiness’ Mark L. Yu, said. 

Local and multinational corporations, banks, and financial institutions recognize the value of CFA charter holders. Currently, there are more than 95,000 members, including 82,000 CFA charter holders in 133 countries and territories.

Felixberto Bustos Jr., DBA, CFA, core faculty of the W. SyCip Graduate School of Business, shares the following tips to prepare for the CFA exams. These are:

• CFA Level I exams emphasize breadth rather than depth. You are expected to know enough about a lot of subjects - quantitative analysis, economics, financial statement analysis, corporate finance, derivatives, etc., - to be able to meet the entry level requirements of different types of investment-related firms or assist investment professionals doing different functions.

• CFA Level II exams emphasize the tools. You have to know how to use various valuation tools by heart. And the best way to do this is to practice.

• The CFA Level III exams are more integrative and use a lot of caselets in portfolio management and ethics. You have to learn to read fast, analyze the case to find out what is relevant and what is not, and be able to complete the requirements of the question (usually covering investment policy statements, asset allocations, violations of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct) as quickly as possible. And if your handwriting is incomprehensible, practice printing as fast and as clearly as you can.

Information about the CFA Program and available scholarships are posted at the CFA Philippines website, www.cfaphilippines.org.