1. Francis Carter, CFA President, CFA Society Ireland 6th September 2017
THE CFA PROGRAM
Francis Carter, CFA
President, CFA Society Ireland
6th September 2017

2. Welcome Introduction to CFA Institute CFA Society Ireland CFA Program
How will the program benefit you?
What are the next steps?
CIPM
Claritas
Candidate Survey

3. INTRODUCTION TO CFA INSTITUTE

4. CFA Institute
Global, not-for-profit organisation of investment professionals
Sets standard for professional excellence
Founded in 1947
Over 135,000 members in 140 countries
Mission:
To lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.

5. Five organizational pillars
Ethical Champion
Championing ethical behavior in investment markets.
Global Community
Creating a strong community of investment professionals.
Industry Knowledge
Being a respected source of knowledge in investment markets.
Professional Excellence
Raising standards of professional excellence in the industry.
The Greater Good
Build an investment industry that serves the interests of investors and society.

6. CFA Institute portfolio
Ethics and Advocacy
CFA ® Program
Investment Foundations Program
CIPM® Program
Events and Conferences
Educational Resources and Publications
MyCFA and Blogs

8. CFA Society IRELAND

9. Who ARE CFA SOCIETY Ireland?
Professional body for those engaged in portfolio management and investment analysis in Ireland
Over 540 Charterholders
Formed in 1986
Affiliate of CFA Institute

10. What CFA SOCIETY Ireland does…
Foster and maintain high standards in professional excellence
Encourage and assist study of investment analysis
Encourage creation and interchange of ideas
through
Continuous Professional Development
Support Candidates
University Relations
Employer Relations
Public Awareness
Advocacy

11. What CFA SOCIETY Ireland does…
Monthly educational events
Semi-annual newsletter
Research Challenge
Charter Awards Lunch
Market Sentiment Survey
Networking opportunities
Facilitate Mock exams
Social events

12. Research Challenge Local Regional Global
An annual educational initiative which promotes best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and presentation skills.
The challenge gathers students, investment industry professionals, publicly traded companies, and corporate sponsors together locally, regionally, and globally for a real world competition.
Irish Universities involved in
UCD, TCD, NUIG, UCC, DCU, UL & Queens
Irish companies to have take part include: CRH, Kerry Group, Paddy Power, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Origin Enterprises, CPL, Hibernia REIT
Local
Regional
Global

13. THE CFA PROGRAM

14. What is the CFA Program? The leading investment examination programme
A global standard for the profession
A commitment to professional excellence and ethical behaviour
A step towards the CFA charter

15. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The CFA Program is offered in a self- study format and is divided into three levels of exams.
I. ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
II. QUANTITATIVE METHODS
III. ECONOMICS
IV. FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS
V. CORPORATE FINANCE
VI. EQUITY INVESTMENTS
VII. FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS
VIII. DERIVATIVES
IX. ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
X. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND WEALTH PLANNING

16. Topic coverage
The Candidate Body of Knowledge

17. What does the program involve?
Three examination levels
An average of 4 years’ study
Challenging exams, 2 x 3hr papers for each level
CFA Institute recommends approximately 300 hours study per level
Level
Pass Rate
Exam Format
One
39%
Multiple choice
Two
44%
Item set questions
Three
52%
Item set questions and essay questions

18. The CFA exam process Bachelor’s degree/work experience Enrolment
Level 1 - June and December
Level 2 - June
Level 3 - June
4 years’ relevant work experience
Professional Conduct Statement
Join CFA Institute and apply for society membership
CFA Institute member in good standing
Earn CFA Charter
How many years do you need if you haven’t got a degree? Is it 7? – it’s four

19. How well known is the program?
“The CFA qualification has become the gold standard.”
“Explosive growth has made the CFA global currency.”
Financial Times 2010
The Economist 2005

20. HOW WILL THE PROGRAM BENEFIT YOU?

21. A PRACTICE DRIVEN PROCESS
Practitioners at every step of the process
Close alignment between knowledge, skills, and industry developments
Ability to make sound investment decisions in ever-changing financial world

22. Generalist study for multiple disciplines
Functional areas of our charterholders:

23. Benefits continue post program
Continuing education:
international and local events
publications and research
CPD suitable online learning resources
Maria Kahane, CFA
Paris, FRANCE

24. Marketing value
“Pretty much all our institutional clients recognise the designation.”
Ken Luce, CFA
Toronto

25. Qualified and committed staff
“Charterholders stand out from the crowd because they have demonstrated they have tenacity and are able to go through a rigorous program and study hard.”
Peter Jakobus, CFA
Frankfurt

26. GLOBAL RECOGNITION
“If you want to have international recognition and mobility within the financial world, you really should consider doing the CFA Program”
Zouhir Tamin-Jarkas, CFA
Abu Dhabi

27. WITH THE CFA CHARTER, You …
Will have a comprehensive investment perspective
Will be current with practical investment analysis and management skills
Will have credibility with industry peers
Will have the flexibility to work in any market
Will have demonstrated a commitment to ethics
Will engage in continuous education
Will have access to leading publications and research

28. TOP GLOBAL EMPLOYERS OF CHARTERHOLDERS

29. TOP EMPLOYERS OF CHARTERHOLDERS IN EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, & AFRICA

30. TOP EMPLOYERS OF CHARTERHOLDERS IN IRELAND
Source: CFA Institute

31. NEXT STEPS

32. Key dates – DECEMBER 2017 EXAMS
13 September 2017
Final (late) registration fee deadline
9 October 2017
Test center change request deadline
November 2017
Exam admission tickets become available
2 December 2017
Exam day
December 2016–January 2017
Exams graded
Late January 2018
Exam results available

33. Key dates – JUNE 2018 EXAMS Date 20 September 2017
Early registration fee deadline
1 February 2018
Awareness scholarship application deadline
14 February 2018
Standard registration fee deadline
14 March 2018
Final (late) registration fee deadline
17 April 2018
Test center change request deadline
May 2018
Exam admission tickets become available
23 June 2018
Exam day
June / July 2018
Exams graded
August 2018
Exam results become available.

34. PROGRAM Fees Indicative pricing for June 2018 exams By 20 Sept 2017
By 14 Feb 2018
By 14 March 2018
Program enrollment
(new Level I only)
$450
Exam registration
$650
$950
$1,380
Total
$1,100
$1,400
$1,830
The exam registration fee covers the cost of:
The eBook (contains the complete curriculum you need to study)*
An interactive study planner to guide and track your exam preparation
Topic-based practice tests
Mock exams
A mobile study app with access to everything listed above
*You may purchase a print version of the curriculum (available for a non-refundable fee of US$150, plus any fees associated with shipping)

35. Scholarships Access Scholarships
Provides needs-based scholarships opportunities for those unable to afford the full price of the CFA Program enrollment and registration fees
Waive the CFA Program enrollment fee and reduce the exam registration fee to $250
Awarded in December to be applied to exams in the following year
Application must be completed by 15 September 2017
Awareness Scholarships
Designated for key influencers in the academic, regulatory and media communities
Reduce the CFA Program enrollment fee and the exam registration fee
Online application is available from 1 March – 15 September, for exams offered the following calendar year.
Women’s Scholarships
New Women’s Scholarships are now available
Find out more at

36. Fee support from summit finuas Network
Summit Finuas Networks supports businesses in the International Financial Services sector and those companies providing services to such businesses
Summit Finuas Network provides up to 25% funding for the CFA Program, where the employer is paying the program fees
The payment of the program fees by the employer can be up-front or in the form of a refund to the candidate on registration or on passing the exams
Qualifying firms must be members of Summit Finuas Network – membership is free
For more information see

37. CANDIDATE SURVEY

38. When You Sat the CFA EXAM were you in?

39. HOW DID YOU FIND THE EXAM?

40. DID YOU TAKE STUDY LEAVE?

41. Was the LEAVE...?

42. HOW MANY STUDY DAYS DID YOU TAKE?

43. DO YOU THINK IT WAS . . .?

44. HOW MANY STUDY DAYS FROM EMPLOYEr?

45. HOW MANY HOURS STUDY?

46. YEARS Experience before LEVEL 1 Exam?

47. ADVICE TO POTENTIAL CFA CANDIDATES
“Start as soon as possible”
“put in the hours and really know the detail!”
“Brace yourself! The level of commitment and application involved is huge”
“Do not underestimate the difficulty of the exam, and the time needed to prepare for it”
“Be aware of how heart breaking it can be”
“Define working hard, multiply it by 2, then schedule your study”
“Fantastic exam that gives you a great overview of the whole investment profession”

48. Where can I find more information?

49. CIPM ® Program

50. DRIVE SMARTER MORE INFORMED DECISION-MAKING TO OPTIMIZE INVESTOR RESULTS

51. Investment foundations program

52. What is the investment foundations program?
WHAT IS IT?
New education program designed to give everyone working with investment decision makers a clear understanding of the essential aspects of our industry.
WHO IT’S FOR?
The program is intended all professional disciplines in the financial services industry outside of investment roles.
For example:
Administration and Operations
Client Services
Compliance and Legal
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing and Sales
Media and communications

53. QUESTIONS?