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CFA – Chartered financial analysts

allhimachal — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:38:24 +0000

CFA

Liberalization and globalization have brought about a sea change in the financial services sector. The scope of the financial services broadly covers money market operations, merchant banking services, international banking services, portfolio management, lease financing, mergers, acquisitions buy-outs mutual funds, factoring services, etc. Chartered financial analysts (CFA) utilize their managerial skills in the core areas of corporate finance, investment management, international finance and financial services. Their training and skills are useful for providing a host of financial services.

The constantly developing industrial scenario has created a demand for experts in the field of finance. This has created a niche that can be filled by a person specially trained to handle financial matters with all its ramifications. In order to fulfill this need, a training programme called the Chartered Financial Analyst programme has been brought into being by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts. The qualification of a CFA is not merely an additional qualification; it is a specialization that gives a person a distinct advantage over others in the field. The CFA course enjoys wide recognition all over the country. In fact, bank employees who have completed the CFA course are exempted from appearing for certain papers in the various examinations that they are required to appear for.

Personality Traits

Keen, analytical inquisitive mind, imagination, objectivity, flexibility and agility in thought processes, good judgment, tact, discretion, numerical ability, broad perspective, interest in current affairs, intellectual maturity, strength of purpose and capacity for long hours of complex mental work meet the demands of this professional course.

Courses/Training

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional programme in Financial Management and Analysis offered through distance learning as:

Regular CFA Programme (3 years)
Accelerated CFA Programme (2 years)
Eligibility criteria is that the candidate should be a Graduate, Management student or a working executive and professional.

The CFA programme is offered on a distance-learning basis and is open to all those applicants who satisfy the eligibility criteria. There is no Admission Test for enrolling. As the CFA Programme is offered on a distance learning basis, admission is open throughout the year. The propectus and appliaction materilas, which are issued from time to time, are monitored so that enrolments are synchronized with the examination schedule.

CFA Foundation Course (CFA-FC) is a 6 months course offered to Degree and Engineering College students to provide a strong base in Financial Accounting and Economics.

The ICFAI University provides comprehensive study package specially designed for independent study. The comprehensive courseware includes high quality textbooks, workbooks and the analyst magazine as a continuous learning input. Further, in order to supplement the candidates’ efforts through self study, the ICFAI University provides an opportunity to the candidates to attend training classes at scheduled centers. Attending these training classes is optional.

The training classes are conducted at the following centers:

Agra, Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik, New Delhi, Noida, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Thane, Trivandrum, Vadodara, Vijayawada and Vishakapatnam. Candidates who plan to attand teh training classes are required to pay the specified fees.

Executive CFA Programme

The ICFAI university through its constituent, the ICFAI Business School (IBS) offers the CFA Programme on a campus format. This is a 2 year campus based programme offered both on a full time and part time basis.

This programme is open to :

Graduates (any discipline)
Final Level students of CA, CWA, CS and other PG and CAs, CWAs, Company Secretaries and other Postgraduates (any discipline).
Working Executives, Entrepreneurs, Bankers, Civil Servants, Consultants, provided they are graduates.
The executive CFA programme is offered on a classroom instruction basis in the following two formats:

Full Time Executive CFA Programme (2 years)
Part Time Executive CFA Programme (2 years)
The ICFAI University will be awarding the Master Of Science (Finance) Degree to all the successful candidates. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) and Bhartidasan University have recognised CFA Programme as equivalent to a Master’s Degree while considering application for admission to Ph.D Programmes in Management.

ICFAI has established close networking relationship with leading educational institutions and professional bodies across the world. ICFAI represents India in the Asian Securities Analysts Federation (ASAF) based in Sydney, Australia. ICFAI is a member of International Council for Open and Distance Education, Oslo, Norway. ASAF is a member of the International Council Of Investment Associations (ICIA), which is the international organization for securities analysts’ societies.

Placements And Prospects

CFAs can seek exciting career opportunities in several fields. The economic liberalization and globalization have become twin engines of growth. In this new era, adequately trained and qualified finance professionals have promising prospects in the corporate sector and the financial services industry.

Following are the exciting fields, which the CFAs can choose:

Corporate Finance & Control

Corporate Finance & Control is fast emerging as a specialized function in many companies and the routine accounting function is being delinked from the finance function. A career in corporate finance centers around mobilization and utilization of financial resources for short-term and long-term purposes from domestic and overseas markets through a proper mix of debt and equity, with the goal of optimizing returns. Treasury management has become an integral part of corporate finance.

International Finance & Risk Management

With the introduction of convertibility of rupee on current account, the importance of international finance has considerably increased. Further, the prospect of introducing convertibility on the capital account appears bright. Growing exports and imports require a thorough understanding of international finance. Several companies are looking for professionals who understand the nuances of international finance, international capital markets and risk management.

Investment Management

With the freeing of interest rates and free pricing of issues, the capital markets and the money markets have witnessed the introduction of new instruments and intense interplay of demand and supply forces which have increased the volume of activity in these markets. Investors entrust their funds to mutual funds with trained and experienced portfolio managers. A portfolio manager’s job is very challenging since it involves the balancing of risks and rewards through skillful shuffling of the portfolio and maximizing the return on investment. With the significant growth of the mutual fund industry, there is a growing demand for portfolio managers.

Investment Banking and Financial Services

Investment banking is a growing field, which offers advisory services to corporate clients on restructuring, capital structure decisions, IPOs and raising funds through Euro issues and private placements. Financial Services include financial consultancy services, advice and negotiation with regard to merges and acquisitions, formulation of nursing programmes and rehabilitation packages for revival of sick units. Additionally, several asset-based financing products like leasing and hire purchase also form part of Financial Services. Other allied services include stock brokering, National Stock Exchange (NSE) dealership, marketing of public issues, share registry, credit rating, providing venture capital assistance, loan syndication, etc.

Information Technology

With the growing application of Information Technology in business organizations, the career opportunities for finance professionals with IT skills are increasing at a very rapid pace. To keep abreast with the impact of IT revolution, more and more CFAs and finance professionals are getting trained in high-end ERP packages like SAP, Oracle applications, Baan etc.

Placement Services

The CFA Programme is a career-oriented professional certification programme. This career-orientation is built into the design and administration of the CFA Programme. The body of knowledge, curriculum design, education methodology, examination and grading process, all have a thrust on improving the skills for new career opportunities of the candidates. ICFAI provides advice and assistance to the CFAs in getting suitable placements. ICFAI constantly interacts with industry representatives at various for including Seminars, Conventions, Executive Education Programmes, Placement Conferences etc and the networks with them for placement of the CFAs.

The potential employers are apprised of the relevance and utility of the CFAs in finance and allied areas. The profiles of the CFAs are made available to potential employers. The CCFA membership directory, which covers the profiles of the CFAs, is extensively circulated among employers and placement agencies. Placement meets will be organized at select cities. All candidates who enroll into the CFA Programme will be provided guidance in career planning. Through workshops and other career guidance support, the CFA candidates will be equipped to augment their placement potential. ICFAI believes that the entire placement exercise is a joint effort between ICFAI and the candidates. While ICFAI gives the guidance and support and networks with potential employers, the candidates have the responsibility to put in maximum possible efforts to get suitable placement.

Defence Services

allhimachal — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:33:29 +0000

The defense services offer dignified, disciplined and prestigious placements. The chosen officer could serve in the Indian Air Force or Indian Navy on combat duty, on administrative assignments, in the medical services, in the engineering services, in the Judge Advocate-General’s Department (JAG’s Dept.), the Education Corps; in short, in any one of the various departments.

Personality Traits

Effective intelligence, courage, sense of responsibility, ability to reason, determination, ability to organize group activity, take the initiative, self-confidence, alacrity in making balanced decisions, social adaptability; and excellent powers of expression are useful traits for an aspiring defence officer.

Eligibility

General eligibility conditions demand that a candidate must be – a citizen of India (subjects of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibetan refugees or migrants from the rest of the Indian subcontinent with the intention of settling permanently in India can also apply). In addition, candidates must be physically fit in accordance with the prescribed physical standards. They should be unmarried males or female. There is a Women’s Special Entry Scheme (officers) for women graduates in specified subjects between 19-27 years of age.

Entry Scheme

NDA/ Naval Academy Examination
There is one common written examination for entry into Army, Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 (Executive Branch) of Naval Academy on the following pattern

Mathematics-2 1/2 hours-300 marks
General Ability-2 1/2 hours-600 marks
The syllabus is given in the Employment News Weekly announcement of the examination.

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination have to appear before a Services Selection Board (SSB) for intelligence and personality test to assess the candidates’ for their officers’ potentiality and those for the Air Force in Pilot Aptitude Test and officer potentiality.

While in the NDA, a cadet earns a Bachelor Degree in Arts, Science or Computer Science, which is affiliated to the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. The three years in the NDA are divided into 6 semesters. Five are general semesters, which every candidate has to take and in the sixth and final semester, each candidate specialises for either the Army, Navy or Air Force.

Academics constitute around 57% of the program comprising 12 disciplines, which are 8 languages, three pure sciences, two applied sciences and four social sciences. There are also Common Service Subjects like military history, area study, service writing, leadership, para-military forces, weapons training and situational instruction.

Also a part of the curriculum are Special Services Subjects like training in battlefield and peace-time skills and operations specific to individual streams of the Army, Navy or Air Force. There is also outdoor training which includes physical training, drill and equitation.

After three years in the NDA, Army cadets join the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun, Navy cadets join the INS Tir or INS Krishna at Cochin and Air Force cadets move on to the Air Force Training Academy at Hyderabad. These courses are of 18 months duration after which, individual gets a commissioned rank.

Graduate/Direct Entry

Individuals between the age of 19 and 22 and having a three year Bachelor degree, can appear for the Combined Defense Services Exam (CDSC), which is held every 6 months at various centers in India. Again like the NDA process, there will be a SSB interview and a medical examination. On clearing these, individual is straight away enlisted into the Indian Military Academy (if he opts for the Army), without entering NDA, and get trained there for 18 months after which, get a commissioned rank.

Technical Entry

Individuals having an engineering degree, can apply for direct commission. He can directly appear for the SSB interview and medical exam. If cleared them, he will be paid a stipend by the Indian Government during his senior years. After completing the degree, you are straight away enlisted into the Air Force Training Academy in Hyderabad (if you opt for the Air Force), without entering NDA, with a commissioned rank or in Army, ie., through IMA.

Naval College of Engineering, Lonavala prepares officers to make a career in Marine/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Aeronautical Engineering and Naval Architecture cadres of the Indian Navy. The college is one of the best engineering colleges in the country and the only one of its kind in Asia.

Unmarried male Indian citizens approx. between 16 1/2 years to 19 years of age, passed Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) pattern or ots equivalent with at least 75% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and at least 50% marks in English either in Class X or Class XII may apply. Minimum 157 height with correlated weight and proportionate chest with minimum 5 cm expansion; uncorrected eyesight without glasses 6/12, 6/12 corrected with glasses 6/6, 6/6 are other requirements.

Short listed candidates on the basis of the marks obtained in the academic examination are called for the SSB interview. Candidates recommended by the board and declared medically fit will be appointed for training in order of merit. On successful completion of the course they are awarded a B. Tech. Degree by the JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University). The entire cost of training including books and reading material, is borne by the Navy.

MBBS at Armed Forces Medical College

Those who are interested in joining the Armed Forces Medical Services as permanent commissioned officers after graduation (MBBS) may join the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. Admission is through an entrance examination in physics, chemistry, biology, intelligence, logic and reasoning, English language and comprehension. After the written examination successful candidates are called for an interview.

Admission is open to unmarried candidates (boys and girls), passed XII Std/ pre-professional/ premedical exam or equivalent exam as a regular student in the first attempt in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology securing not less than 60% of aggregate marks in three science subjects taken together, not less than 50% marks in English; Must have attained 17 years but not attained 22 years as on 31st December of the year of joining.

B.Sc. (Nursing) at College of Nursing

AFMC, Pune and Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Course at various Armed Forces Hospitals.

4-year B.Sc. (Nursing) at College of Nursing, AFMC, Pune and 3-year Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Course at various Armed Forces Hospitals is open to Indian Females who are unmarried or divorced or legally separated or widows without encumbrances. The candidate should have passed in the first attempt 10+2 exam with Physics, Chemistry and Biology with minimum 50% aggregate marks as a regular student, minimum height 142 cms. Age group should be between 16 and 24 years approx. Medical fitness should be as per military stds.

Those selected to the course have to execute a bond to serve in the Military Nursing Service (MNS) for 5/ 4 years. Entry Schemes Combined Defence Services Examination (After Graduation)

CDSE (Combined Defence Services Examination) is held twice every year for the entry into the defence forces. The examination is announced about 5-6 months prior to the date of the examination. Through CDSE unmarried male candidates can get into the Indian Military Academy- Dehradun or the Naval Academy – Goa or Air Force Station- Hyderabad or the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. The combined Defence Service Examination in conducted by the UPSC. For more information please refer to the UPSC section.

SSB Interview

Candidates qualifying in the written examinations for entry into the defence services (NDA)/ Naval Academy, CDSE) as well as for the other schemes of entry based on application scrutiny are called for tests by the SSB. Most of the tests require an average intelligence. The testing is spread over a period of 3-4 days at least and is a throrough as well as an elaborate process. A three-pronged approach is followed by the SSB.

Personal interview

Outdoor test or group task officer tests
Psychological testing apparatus
Ay this stage the purely spontaneous and natural responses of the candidate are sought to be accessed by the SSB. The tests are administered on an individual basis and also in groups. During the course of this subtle testing pattern, candidates are under observation throughout.

SSB’s primary aim is to select individuals with the potential to be groomed into, and trained as, officers for the defence services finally. Motivation for joining the defence forces is an important question to be prepared for the interview. Everything is assessed while the interview is on – verbal answers as well as non-verbal attitude, gestures, stance, power of expression, self confidence, self assurance etc.

The SSB pattern includes a number of physical tests to evaluate the candidate’ s stamina, physical fitness, aptitude for physical activity, flexibility of the body, agility as well as courage for making daring attempts.

The psychological testing apparatus comprises verbal and non – verbal exercise, word association exercise, thematic apperception, situation reaction, self appraisal, aptitude for logical reasoning and objectivity.

Placements And Prospects

Defense personnel are liable to be transferred anywhere in the country. Upto a certain level of seniority promotions are bound by a time scale, after which they are gone on selection basis depending on vacancies arising at the top level.

They are guaranteed a job, along with all the perks and allowances, many of which continue even after retirement. Jobs in the Defence Services involve a great deal of power and authority, though there are frequent transfers. Competent officers always have a chance of being promoted to senior positions over the years.