New study option for finance professionals

Dr Alexandr Akimov (right) with Andrew Hack, Master of Finance and Investments student.
Dr Alexandr Akimov (right) with Andrew Hack, Master of Finance and Investments student.

Griffith Business School is the first in the country to formally recognise Chartered Financial Analyst qualifications, opening the window of opportunity for industry professionals with an eye on postgraduate study.

People forging careers in the world of stocks and shares and investments can now take a significant step towards postgraduate study at Griffith if they have successfully completed the CFA examinations.

“For example, successful completion of the CFA Level 1 exam can now be used as a waiver for some of the entry requirements to the Master of Finance and Investments program,” explains Dr Alexandr Akimov, Program Director, Master of Finance and Investments, and Master of Finance.

“They can also use this industry knowledge and experience, in some situations, to gain credit points in both the Master of Finance and Master of Finance and Investments programs.

“Where some universities incorporate elements of the CFA into their postgraduate programs, Griffith is the first Australian university to recognise the CFA program and examinations in its curriculum.”

Prestigious

This move consolidates Griffith’s strong connection with CFA Institute and CFA Sydney Society and Brisbane Chapter, which has gained momentum since Griffith Business School was the first in Australia to be approved to take part in the prestigious CFA InstituteUniversity Recognition Program in 2013.

Griffith’sBachelor of Commercedegree (majoring in Finance) was then acknowledged as incorporating the content of at least 70 percent of the CFA Level 1 examination.

As a result, Griffith Bachelor of Commerce graduates are strongly positioned to start their quest for highly-prized Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

In addition, both theMaster of FinanceandMaster of Finance and Investmentswere admitted into the prestigious CFA Institute’sUniversity Recognition Programearlier this year.

The Master of Finance and Investments curriculum was built around CFA Levels 2 and 3 professional exams for students with a background in finance studies.

Recognition

The Master of Finance program is designed for students from any background and covers the curriculum from all three levels of CFA exams.

“The work and study involved in passing the CFA exam is comparable to some of the work and study involved in gaining a university degree,” Dr Akimov continued.

“Griffith University understands how rigorous the challenge is for those sitting CFA exams and we are prepared to recognise this as sufficient foundation to enter directly into the Master of Finance and Investments program.

“It means people who don’t have a degree in finance but who have successfully completed the CFA exam can now use it as a pathway to further study which could accelerate their career plans.”