A team of Griffith Business School students have done themselves and the University exceptionally proud at the CFA Research Challenge Australian national finals in Sydney, earning second place in this year’s competition.

This marks the sixth finals appearance in seven years for a Griffith team in the CFA national finals, a performance that has in turn seen the University assert itself as an institution of growing influence in the Chartered Financial Analyst community.

“After witnessing the reactions from judges and audiences in the room, I’m proud to report that we have firmly reassured Griffith’s strong reputation in the CFA community and the investment management industry in Sydney,” team mentor Dr John Fan said.

“As a Griffith Finance alumnus, I am incredibly proud to have played a part in changing the world’s perception. This is not only inspiring to our current students, but also the thousands of GBS alumnus throughout Australia and the world.”

The team — comprising captain Enoch Pun, Gold Coast students Eden Peterson and Jake Matthews, and Nathan peers Denis Vukovac and Andrea Crespo Wong — fought off stiff competition from some of the country’s most respected universities, working tirelessly to compile and present an original research report on ASX:TLS (Telstra) to make their way to the finals.

Once there, the group faced a grilling from a panel of top investment executives including Jan van der Schalk (Ausbil Equities analyst), Crispin Murray (Head of Equities, Pendal) and Jelena Stefanovic (Portfolio Manager, Platypus).

“Our team put on an exceptional performance with a sensational presentation and an outstanding Q&A,” Dr Fan said.

“Unfortunately, this year lady luck was not with us; however, as runners-up, we still earned the highest result for any university in Queensland.”

The broader Griffith Business School community rallied behind the team’s efforts, Dr Fan said, with contributions coming from several of his colleagues in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.

He also acknowledged the support of Morgans Financial adviser Ken Howard, who has been a mentor for Griffith CFA Research Competition teams for the past seven years, four of which he has worked with Dr Fan.

“As a long-time industry leader and the founder of the CFA Brisbane Chapter, Ken shares our belief that the financial services industry should be engaging more closely with universities here in Brisbane,” Dr Fan said.

“His input and passion is greatly appreciated by the team and the University, and we look forward to many more fruitful partnerships in the near future.”

The 2018 CFA Research Challenge was won by a team from the University of Sydney, who will now represent the CFA Society of Sydney in the Asia-Pacific Regionals to be held in Sydney next year.

Watch the Griffith team’s full finals presentation below.