More than 170,000 Aspiring CFA Charterholders Sit for CFA Exams this Weekend

13,848 Canadian candidates registered to take June 2016 exam; a 3 per cent increase in those aspiring to make a difference that matters in investment management compared to five years ago

TORONTO, June 2, 2016 /CNW/ - CFA Institute, the global association of investment management professionals, announces that 172,682 candidates from 183 countries have registered for Level I, II and III CFA exams taking place this weekend. This year's exams, to be administered on June 4 worldwide, have seen an 8.5 per cent increase in registrations compared to June 2015. In Canada, 13,848 candidates will take the exam; up from 13,297 candidates in June 2015 and a 3 per cent increase in registrations compared to five years ago. This growth in registrations shows a strong demand for investment education rooted in ethics and is testament to the investment management industry's increasing focus on raising the standards of the industry, improving professionalism and putting client interests first.

"The CFA designation is the badge of distinction in the investment management profession," said Paul Smith, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. "It represents a deep knowledge of all things investing, a commitment to ethics, and a passion for always putting investors first. At CFA Institute we continue to develop future professionals with the necessary technical skills, knowledge, and ethics and with a clear understanding of the role of investment management in society."

The number of exam registrations for this year's exam cycle (December 2015 and June 2016) totals more than 245,000 registrations. Regionally, Asia Pacific continues to be the largest source of candidates, with 77,510 registered for the June 2016 exam, accounting for 45 per cent of the total. The Americas saw the registration of 57,363 candidates, 33 per cent of the total, and 37,809 candidates registered in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), accounting for 22 per cent of the total.

CFA Institute currently has more than 132,000 charterholders around the world who work in some of the most prominent firms, including JP Morgan Chase, PwC, HSBC, and State Street. Employers know that by hiring charterholders, teams are strengthened with professionals who have an in-depth understanding of client needs, and the capacity to tailor and implement specific solutions.

The CFA Program is a self-study program, considered to be the most rigorous credentialing program in the investment industry. The CFA curriculum is grounded in the practice of the investment profession and is methodically updated with knowledge, skills, and abilities (competencies) that are relevant to the profession. The three-level exam process covers topics including Ethical and Professional Standards, Quantitative Methods, Economics, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Corporate Finance, Investment Tools, Asset Classes, and Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning.

Each level of the CFA Program imparts a particular skill set:

• Level I is focused on investment tools and the foundations of the business, giving candidates the necessary knowledge and comprehension;
• Level II is focused on asset classes including equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, and alternative investments, emphasizing candidates' ability in application and analysis;
• Level III is focused on portfolio management and wealth planning, requiring candidates to be competent in synthesis and evaluation while making investment decisions.

CFA charterholders make a Difference that Matters in Investment Management

The CFA exam comes on the heels of the launch of the first ever global advertising campaign for CFA Institute, A Difference That Matters. The campaign directly reflects the mission to build and advance the investment management profession and features CFA charterholders from around the world who show how becoming a charterholder made a huge impact on their career, their life, and their community. By raising investors' awareness of what makes CFA charterholders different, CFA Institute aims to build a better investment management profession.

"We pride ourselves in helping investors understand that when they place their trust in a CFA charterholder, they can achieve peace of mind knowing that they are in the hands of a professional with the proven expertise and integrity to meet their investment goals and put their interests first," continued Smith.

The campaign spotlights Chartered Financial Analysts worldwide who explain why they chose to add "CFA" to the end of their name.  "Being a CFA charterholder is about seeing the bigger picture. You're not just working for yourself but also for the good of the industry." – Guy-Charles Valois, CFA.

Find out more about the CFA Program and how it can help investment professionals to achieve professional excellence for an impactful career.

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behaviour in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 138,000 members in 151 countries and territories, including 132,000 charterholders, and 147 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org. 

SOURCE CFA Institute

Jannine Rane, FleishmanHillard, 416-645-3662, [email protected]; Sarah-Jane Purvis, CFA Institute, [phone], [email protected]