Investment professional?

Mrs_pbradley936

I would value the opinion of investment professionals to the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exams. My son is a mathematics graduate and is considering this.

tom188

If he wants to work in the city/finance it is a key qualification that will stand him in good stead.

It will involve 3 years/sets of exams taken alongside the work experience he gains in the office. After 4 years work experience he will get the designate CFA after your name.

JDinho

pbradley936 wrote:

I would value the opinion of investment professionals to the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exams. My son is a mathematics graduate and is considering this.

Probably the benchmark qualification amongst analysts and fund managers in the City at the moment. IMHO you don't need it if you are already in the industry with experience, if you aren't it is definitely worth considering.

If your son is more interested in the retail side of the industry, other qualifications might be better such as Securities & Investment Institute Diploma or even some of the Financial Planning Certificates
.

Chrismaths

Absolutely cracking qualification - I'm studying it for myself at the moment. Internationally recognised.

MARVIN_2

Chrismaths wrote: »

Absolutely cracking qualification - I'm studying it for myself at the moment. Internationally recognised.

What do you think about Securities Institute Diploma? How it is recognizable by potential employers?
Also does this qualification require taking test with FSA as“fit and proper person" or must be registered by their employer as an ‘authorized person’ with the Financial Services Authority. Other words who will be liable for mistakes and losses? Investment Analyst or Company?
Cheers.

MARVIN_2

Which Diploma Subject the most suitable for the Investment Analyst Qualification?

1/Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets
2/Financial Derivatives
3/Fund Management
4/Global Operations Management
5/Interpretation of Financial Statements
6/Investment Analysis
7/Management Studies
8/Private Client Investment Advice & Management
9/Regulation & Compliance
http://www.sii.org.uk/web5/infopool.nsf/HTML/qtestdipwhich?OpenDocument

JDinho

MARVIN wrote: »

What do you think about Securities Institute Diploma? How it is recognizable by potential employers?
Also does this qualification require taking test with FSA as“fit and proper person" or must be registered by their employer as an ‘authorized person’ with the Financial Services Authority. Other words who will be liable for mistakes and losses? Investment Analyst or Company?
Cheers.

MARVIN wrote: »

Which Diploma Subject the most suitable for the Investment Analyst Qualification?

1/Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets
2/Financial Derivatives
3/Fund Management
4/Global Operations Management
5/Interpretation of Financial Statements
6/Investment Analysis
7/Management Studies
8/Private Client Investment Advice & Management
9/Regulation & Compliance
http://www.sii.org.uk/web5/infopool.nsf/HTML/qtestdipwhich?OpenDocument

I don't really understand your questions to be honest BUT...

The SII Diploma is very widely recognised, but if you want to work as an analyst the CFA is preferable. There are analysis avenues via the SII Diploma - Interpretation of Financial Statements, Investment Analysis & Fund Management would be a good combination - but the CFA would be more appropriate. In my experience the SII Diploma is preferred in the retail stockbroking/asset management sector.

It is recognisable to employers by the qualification itself, you get a (rather naff) certificate and if you pay your membership subscriptions you are immediately awarded MSI (Member of Securities Institute) status, the next step up is FSI status.

I really don't understand the comment on Fit and Proper and Authorised Person, the SII's exam are open to the public to sit and study you don't need to hold any qualifications etc. Pay your money and take your chance

I have absolutely no idea what you are asking in the last question on mistakes and losses?

I hope that helps

MARVIN_2

JDinho wrote: »

I don't really understand your questions to be honest BUT...

The SII Diploma is very widely recognised, but if you want to work as an analyst the CFA is preferable. There are analysis avenues via the SII Diploma - Interpretation of Financial Statements, Investment Analysis & Fund Management would be a good combination - but the CFA would be more appropriate. In my experience the SII Diploma is preferred in the retail stockbroking/asset management sector.

It is recognisable to employers by the qualification itself, you get a (rather naff) certificate and if you pay your membership subscriptions you are immediately awarded MSI (Member of Securities Institute) status, the next step up is FSI status.

I really don't understand the comment on Fit and Proper and Authorised Person, the SII's exam are open to the public to sit and study you don't need to hold any qualifications etc. Pay your money and take your chance

I have absolutely no idea what you are asking in the last question on mistakes and losses?

I hope that helps

Thank you for your reply. :T

Sorry if you found my questions silly.
I am absolutely new in this industry, have CeMAP (Mortgage Advisor) certificate but think and hope I could do much more in the investment banking.
I understand that CFA the most desirable qualification but as I do not have any previous knowledge’s and experience in this qualification that is why I thought that SII might be a good idea.
Just recently researching http://jobs.efinancialcareers.co.uk found that IMC from UKSIP has better value? Tell me please if I am wrong.
Regarding FSA, Do not blame me please. I just compared with mortgages. So as example, qualified mortgage advisor have to pass test “fit and proper person” otherwise he would not be legally authorized to give advises himself. What is the situation with the Investment Analyst after obtaining relevant qualification? Shall he/she be registered with the FSA or pass any kind of authorisation etc…?
Many thanks,
James.

JDinho

I would recommend reading this:

http://www.bppfinancialservices.com/website/what_course/newtoindustry.aspx

It will explain to you the difference between exams leading to achieving threshold competence and those which lead to achieving professional competence.

I would doubt that the IMC is better regarded than the SII Diploma, the IMC is a multiple choice exam of 3 hours duration. The SII Diploma is a three part, three hour written exam which involves detailed knowledge across broad subject areas.

Personally the IMC would be the start of the journey and the SII Diploma going someway towards completing the studying, but never the learning.

However the CFA is not the most desirable in all types of role, a wealth planner would have no use for detailed quantitative analysis skills for example.

Any more questions fire away, but I would recommend you try to explore the sectors of the investment industry better.

MARVIN_2

JDinho wrote: »

I would recommend reading this:

http://www.bppfinancialservices.com/website/what_course/newtoindustry.aspx

It will explain to you the difference between exams leading to achieving threshold competence and those which lead to achieving professional competence.

I would doubt that the IMC is better regarded than the SII Diploma, the IMC is a multiple choice exam of 3 hours duration. The SII Diploma is a three part, three hour written exam which involves detailed knowledge across broad subject areas.

Personally the IMC would be the start of the journey and the SII Diploma going someway towards completing the studying, but never the learning.

However the CFA is not the most desirable in all types of role, a wealth planner would have no use for detailed quantitative analysis skills for example.

Any more questions fire away, but I would recommend you try to explore the sectors of the investment industry better.

Thanks for the opinion and link, very useful.
Well, have to think about this very careful.
Having CeMAP, CeFA and non-EU degree in accountancy + studying IMC (SSI?) what is the possible preferable starting position? Bank, Estate agency…?
And how will potential employer consider my qualifications? Other words which would be more desirable from the employer point of view IMC or SII?
Cheers.

MARVIN_2

JDinho wrote: »

I don't really understand your questions to be honest BUT...
I really don't understand the comment on Fit and Proper and Authorised Person, the SII's exam are open to the public to sit and study you don't need to hold any qualifications etc. Pay your money and take your chance

I have absolutely no idea what you are asking in the last question on mistakes and losses?

I hope that helps

An approved person is an individual who has been approved by the FSA to perform one or more 'controlled functions' on behalf of an authorised firm.

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/Doing/Regulated/Approved/index.shtml

So what is the correct category for the Investment Analyst from the list provided by FSA?