QUOTE(Pohziliang96 @ Nov 13 2020, 12:06 AM)
I'm still considering taking this course in MMU.
I knew that nothing is assured or guaranteed in future.
But how useful it can become in the future in Malaysia?
It is quite interesting since I will learn the C++ language as part of the course. But how significant is C++ language in Malaysia's financial industry?
I wish to do equity research or corporate finance.
(Compared with ACCA, which one is better for the job? And between Accounting and Financial Engineering(Financial modelling etc.), which one is more feasible to be learnt by oneself?)
The language is just a tool and the focus is about learning the concepts behind financial engineering using the tool - it could be other tools like excel VBA (VBA and R are very common for financial engineering as long as data points are not too large) and if you are into the latest trend, Python. For example, you can easily build a simple binomial model for option pricing with just an excel sheet or you can solve a debt optimization problem in a project finance scenario using VBA by way of a simple loop. The only reason C++ may be used is due to its processing speed in certain situations (i.e., trading strategy executions where timing is crucial) but i digress.
Financial engineering as a profession is still pretty niche in Malaysia as the most relevant role would be financial product design (think of the infamous CDO or CDO squared) or credit modelling, which doesn't seem to have a big market in Malaysia given that Malaysia is not a major financial hub like Singapore/HK/London. Besides, my experience tells me that employers tend to prefer candidates who are trained in actuarial sciences for financial product design or financial risk management roles because the curriculum is more mathematically rigorous and recognized.
If your interest is in equity research or corporate finance, then I would say ACCA or CFA will be more relevant because knowing financial statements and equity valuation concepts are more important. Financial engineering tends to lend itself better towards fixed income research since it is structured-product focus with more mathematical mechanics behind it. I would also say that ACCA / CFA is also more relevant if you want to do financial modelling (which i assume you are referring to 'business modelling' which includes constructing financial statement projections of a business/project, and that includes debt structuring).
If you merely want to get a degree for the sake of getting a degree however, then I guess there is no harm since you should spend your time and money studying something you are genuinely interested.
This post has been edited by Justin Wong: Nov 13 2020, 06:57 AM