excuse me, if i wanted to become a CFA charterholder, i have to work for 4 years in the related field right? so most probably its i-banking or stock broking firm?

so basicly, to work in i-bank or stock broking firm, 1 need to have a degree in bank/finance right?

so.. what will be the fate of those who dun have the degree from bank/finance to get the job in the related field? i've heard a LLB student taking CFA, and same goes to engineer.

ok, i understand if they may switch field once they passed some of the levels of exams, but i think its gonna be hard for them to switch field as i-bank and stock broking firm would preferably take accounting/bank/finance/economic grads. what will be the fate of those who have passed?

pls guide me!

What kind of skills we need to prepare ourself for doing CFA in future? Im taking finance degree in Aussie and wondering what course to take up for my electives. Do we need to be good at maths and stats? And can we take some papers during degree years? Thanks for clarifying my doubts. Cheers.

Yes my uni is one of the program partners in that list. Im doing year 1 in Uni of Adelaide now. But, they only mentioned master degree in the list, not bachelor degree. So, i have to work harder for CFA papers? My course is not very much of accounting. More into banking/finance stuff.

Yup. Wont mind to go back Malaysia to take up the exams. So, what u meant is that i can still take up the course by self-study (like most of the ppl do) while doing degree? Would it be header for me because my course isnt in the list from the website that u had given at previous post? Currently im doing a math subject which is most engineer and math degree student's core subject. I wonder if it helps. I asked the ppl in my uni and they werent sure if that math im and will be taking next semester actually help in CFA.

So i have read the link. And i realise that 10% have  covered in my 1st year degree. Maybe i should be more worry for level 2 and 3. What should i do to prepare for the 2 levels? Read more business news or constantly revise math?  In Australia degrees, we often need to take 4th year in order to get honour degree. If i choose to take CFA, should i take the 4th degree, given if im offered by university in 3rd year. Thanks for advice. 

To prepare for the 2 levels, you should start your revision once you know you passed your Level 1. I'm not kidding you. Schweser is still your best friend for Levels 1 and 2 and will still be helpful in Level 3. But of course the CFA curriculum is very important because only its contents will be tested. Some people would prefer writing their own notes for much easier reading as the syllabus will kill you with the QUANTITY that you need to absorb. But then again, you will also go through hell coz there's so much to read and write. Doing the past year papers will be helpful as well after you completed your rounds of study.

Reading business news should be a routine like reading the sports section of the newspaper. About revising your maths, I think you should only revise what's inside the syllabus when the time comes.

IMHO, you should do your honours first if given the opportunity. You might not know whether you'll be able to complete the CFA program. I kid you not. Don't underestimate Level 1. Looking at the passing rates, majority that failed were probably the ones that underestimated it. But IMHO you should be able to pass Level 1 if not it'll be so much tougher in Levels 2 and 3.

If going thru the CFA program is like climbing a mountain, Level 1 is a steep walk, Level 2 is a steep climb and Level 3 is a vertical climb to the summit.

I'm doing my Level 3 now and I tell you it's a pain studying. If I was this hardworking back in my school days, I would have gotten straight A's and probably a scholarship to some Ivy League school or prestigious uni.

---

Added on May 4, 2010, 1:07 pm

http://www.cfamalaysia.org/default.aspx

Go attend their CFA preview talk if it's gonna be held. They will mention about the partial scholarship offered. You can email them for further enquiries.

To prepare for the 2 levels, you should start your revision once you know you passed your Level 1. I'm not kidding you. Schweser is still your best friend for Levels 1 and 2 and will still be helpful in Level 3. But of course the CFA curriculum is very important because only its contents will be tested. Some people would prefer writing their own notes for much easier reading as the syllabus will kill you with the QUANTITY that you need to absorb. But then again, you will also go through hell coz there's so much to read and write. Doing the past year papers will be helpful as well after you completed your rounds of study.

Reading business news should be a routine like reading the sports section of the newspaper. About revising your maths, I think you should only revise what's inside the syllabus when the time comes.

IMHO, you should do your honours first if given the opportunity. You might not know whether you'll be able to complete the CFA program. I kid you not. Don't underestimate Level 1. Looking at the passing rates, majority that failed were probably the ones that underestimated it. But IMHO you should be able to pass Level 1 if not it'll be so much tougher in Levels 2 and 3.

If going thru the CFA program is like climbing a mountain, Level 1 is a steep walk, Level 2 is a steep climb and Level 3 is a vertical climb to the summit.

I'm doing my Level 3 now and I tell you it's a pain studying. If I was this hardworking back in my school days, I would have gotten straight A's and probably a scholarship to some Ivy League school or prestigious uni.

---

Added on May 4, 2010, 1:07 pm

http://www.cfamalaysia.org/default.aspx

Go attend their CFA preview talk if it's gonna be held. They will mention about the partial scholarship offered. You can email them for further enquiries.

I come from a non-finance background (engineering to be exact). Like many others I'm interested in making a career switch to investment banking, particularly fund management. CFA is probably the best qualification out there and is recognised globally. CFA charterholders are well-paid in the industry, just like how actuarists are due to their limited numbers. Most Malaysian CFA charterholders are either holding prominent positions or based abroad. Knowing the future benefits that awaits me is what drives me. But of course you got to have your Plan B if things don't work out.

To be honest IMO completing all 3 Levels of the CFA Program doesnt guarantee anything, it only increases your chances of getting hired. I don't have any assurance from any potential employers at the moment but I'll probably apply for those management trainee/associate programmes offered by these investment banks after this in hopes of getting absorbed by them.