Bond University on the Gold Coast has been accepted into the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Recognition Program.
Bond becomes one of just two universities in Queensland, six in Australia and one of about 150 in 40 countries around the world to be accepted into the program, with its Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Major), Master of Financial Management and Master of Finance degrees all recognised.
The courses have each been acknowledged as incorporating at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
The program positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognised investment credential in the world.
Bond University Assistant Professor of Finance and Head of Finance, Dr Simone Kelly, said being accepted as part of the CFA program was an acknowledgment of the high level of Bond’s commerce and finance degrees, and was the result of months of hard work by finance academics Dr Julia Henker and Philippa Wright.
“The CFA is an internationally recognised designation and those who hold it generally go on to work in Australia’s and the world’s largest and most recognised firms, like JP Morgan, UBS, Macquarie Group and Merrill Lynch,” she said.
“To be accepted is recognition that Bond’s degrees are good preparation for, and a pathway to, achieving CFA accreditation and the rigorous study required to achieve it once students enter the professional workforce.
“It is also a significant acknowledgement of the quality of our degree programs, not just in Australia but on an international level.”
Dr Kelly said the CFA prepared professionals to work globally in areas such as banking, investment banking and financial advisory.
The recognition comes on the back of Bond University placing fifth in the CFA Research Challenge in Sydney last month, ahead of some of Australia's largest and most high profile universities.
"It was a big achievement for our team, particularly considering it was only the second time we had participated in the Challenge, and is a great example of the opportunities that come with the CFA program," said Dr Kelly.
As part of the CFA Institute University Recognition Program, students at Bond University will be eligible to receive a limited number of scholarships for the CFA Program each year.
CFA Institute Head of University Relations, Charles Appeadu, said students in the CFA Program studied the Candidate Body of Knowledge, which included the core knowledge, skills, and abilities identified by practitioners worldwide as essential for successful practice.
“By mastering the fundamentals of the CFA Program as well as the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, these future investment professionals gain a strong foundation that helps prepare them well to join the growing CFA Institute community dedicated to promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society,” he said.
ENDS