It’s no secret the CFA designation is recognized as the investment industry’s gold standard; it’s a distinction I’m proud of. However, earning the charter is just the beginning. The privilege of calling yourself a CFA charterholder carries the responsibility of maintaining the highest standard of practice. Continual professional development, in this case, is a must—not only so that we remain relevant and competitive as individual professionals, but to ensure we, as charterholders, uphold the fundamental values of CFA Institute, with its high standards of education, integrity, and professional excellence.

CFA Institute, in partnership with local societies, universities, and the investment industry, offers insightful and engaging events around the world to keep members informed of the newest industry trends. At the local society level, the quality programming offered provides members with unique professional development opportunities, and ensures that the CFA designation remains “the global standard for embodying the integrity, dedication, and advanced skills needed to build a stronger, more accountable financial industry.”

But did you know the Institute’s website, CFAInstitute.org, also offers a wide range of educational resources? Offerings on the site range from publications to webcasts and podcasts to online courses, and cover a wide range of topics, allowing members to read, listen, and study at their own pace. Most of the resources are available at no cost, and offer members the opportunity to stay informed, and to learn about new industry developments and the most recent research.

I highly encourage you to head over to CFAInstitute.org and look around. You’ll be impressed with what it has to offer, including an Insights & Learning section that provides access to the many products and services CFA Institute offers. Below are a few more of the offerings you’ll find at CFAInstitute.org.

Browse your library

CFA Institute’s library is a comprehensive resource that provides members with access to more than 8,400 educational products. The content can be filtered by topic of interest or by delivery format. Whether you’re interested in reading the latest published articles or you’d like to take an online course, the library is often the best place to start. You can use it to access superb resources that can help give you a career edge and help maintain the integrity of your CFA charter.

In addition to the Financial Analysts Journal and CFA Institute Magazine, CFA Institute publishes a range of other journals, literature reviews, position papers, and books. Members have access to the extensive online publication archive, as well as a broad selection of webcasts and podcasts. You can view or listen to a number of past CFA Institute-sponsored conference sessions and society events, or to live webinars and interviews with leading practitioners. There is also an array of online courses that provide opportunities for self-paced learning.

The library is a great starting point for members who want to explore the comprehensive and diverse resources available at CFAInstitute.org. The website is much more expansive and houses a wealth of information we should all be taking advantage of and reviewing on a regular basis.

Continue your education

The CE (Continuing Education) Program is a CFA Institute initiative that was started with a commitment to professional excellence through lifelong learning. Developed to help members stay on top of the highly competitive, ever-changing investment industry, the program offers a range of activities that can be combined to meet your continuing education needs and goals. At CFAInstitute.org, you can find guidance on how to design your own program, choose activities, calculate and manage credits, track your CE progress, and confirm participation.

“The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after” 
— Newton D. Baker Jr., American Lawyer, Georgian politician, and government official (1871-1937)

The CE Program is voluntary; however, CFA Institute highly encourages all members to participate and recommends members earn a minimum of 20 CE credits, including 2 SER (standards, ethics, and regulations) credits, each year. To demonstrate the importance of continuing education, CFA Institute recognizes those members who continuously participate in the CE Program each year. This year, for the first time in CFA Institute history, several members reached the 30-year milestone. That means they’ve met the requirements of the program, and have shown their dedication to lifelong learning, for 30 consecutive years!

Refresh your reading

The Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) represents the core knowledge, skills, and abilities generally accepted by and applied by investment professionals around the globe. Since CBOK is grounded in practice, reviewing CFA Program curriculum updates is a good way to keep current with industry themes and best practices. Each year, CFA Institute makes the updated curriculum available to members. The new chapters are offered in their entirety and free of charge, and are accessible through the Refresher Readings page on CFAInstitute.org. In 2017, for example, 11 new readings were added to the Refresher Readings collection, which included concepts covered through the three exam levels and across all sub-themes. The Refresher Readings are an excellent resource for renewing your understanding of concepts you learned as a candidate, and to see how the curriculum has evolved over the years. The entire current CFA Program curriculum is also available for purchase.

CFA Institute continues to motivate and empower its members, and the resources that are made available reflect the Institute’s commitment to advance the investment profession. However, it’s up to you to act. Participate in the CE Program, attend a conference, or take an online course. Be proactive in your career development. The investment business is a dynamic one, and you must evolve right along with it or risk becoming obsolete. Take advantage of your membership benefits and the tools available to you. Oh, and don’t forget to visit CFAInstitute.org.