Edwards School of Business has become the latest business school to be welcomed into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. The Finance specialization in the Bachelor of Commerce program has 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 within the program. The Edwards program establishes a clear path for students interested in obtaining the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world.

Entry into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program signals to potential students, employers, and the marketplace that the Edwards School of Business curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA examinations. Through participation in this program, Edwards is eligible to receive a limited number of student scholarships for the CFA Program each year.

“Students in these programs study the Candidate Body of Knowledge, which includes the core knowledge, skills, and abilities identified by practitioners worldwide as essential for successful practice,” said Neil Govier, CFA, Head of Education, APAC, at CFA Institute. “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.”

Edwards students pursuing a Finance major in the B.Comm. program develop hands-on knowledge in finance, economics, ethics, strategy, and statistics. A hallmark of the program is the Dembroski Student Managed Portfolio Trust, which has provided significant experiential learning opportunities to many students as they put their core knowledge into practice managing funds in an investment account. Since its inception in 2012, the Trust has delivered exceptional returns considered comparable with those of top professional managers. The students see the greatest impact as many are starting their careers with more fulfilling roles thanks to the tangible skills gained in the classroom under the supervision of very competitive Finance faculty.

Typically, many students will choose to write the Level 1 CFA exam upon graduation. However, current Edwards students are already reaping the benefits of the new recognition.

“The CFA designation is a competitive advantage because it is globally recognized and has become a prerequisite for many jobs in the investment field,” said Cam Andrusiak, a Finance student in the final year of the program. “In December, I wrote the CFA Level 1 exam and passed. Knowing the Edwards curriculum matched the CFA standards boosted my confidence to write the exam early.”

Edwards School of Business is in the final stages to receive international recognition as an accredited academic institution with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The CFA University Recognition program underscores Edwards ability to compete in the global market for students and faculty alike.

“Our faculty in the Department of Finance & Management Science bring us great pride in achieving recognition for our B.Comm. Finance major through the CFA Institute,” said Dr. Keith Willoughby, Interim Dean, Edwards School of Business. “This attests to the high quality of our Finance program and will further position our students in their career paths.”

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About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has over 148,000 members in 158 countries and territories, including 141,000 CFA charterholders, and 147 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org.

About the CFA Program
The CFA Program sets a standard for developing the skills, standards, competence, and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers, investment advisers, and other investment professionals worldwide. It is widely considered the investment profession’s most rigorous credentialing program. Administered in English, the CFA curriculum and examinations are identical worldwide. Fewer than one in five candidates who begin the program successfully complete it and go on to earn the coveted CFA charter, the “gold standard” for investment professionals.

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