Education: Bachelor of Administrative Studies (Finance) York University 2008, CFA Level III 2010.
Current role: Associate in the Rotation program at OMERS Capital Markets, which provides candidates with an opportunity to gain valuable experience and exposure to a broad range of specialized investments, including: Fixed Income and Currencies, Multi-Strategy Portfolio, Canadian and Global Equities, Credit Research and Risk Management.
Teaching: Part time professor at York University.
Awards: Three-time Toronto CFA Society scholarship winner from 2008 to 2010.
Long-term career goals: I would like to run a long-short fund that provides a higher risk adjusted return with muted volatility.

What led you to enrol in the CFA Program?

Muz Parkhani: I have always been passionate about the capital markets and I started managing my own investments when I was in school. When I was getting ready to graduate from York University in 2008, I had decided that I was committed to making a career for myself in the investment industry. However, this was right in the midst of the financial crisis and it was extremely difficult to get the job I wanted! I was successful with several interviews but always seemed to get knocked out at the final stages of the hiring process because I was competing with others who already had the CFA designation or had experience on the street. So it was clear to me that successfully completing the CFA program would be a requirement for my career.

How did you come to apply for the Toronto CFA Society scholarship?

MP: I am extremely grateful to the support I received from Toronto CFA Society. If it weren’t for them I would not have been able to complete Level I while I was still at school. I was already working full time to pay my way through university and the additional costs for the CFA Program can be expensive on a student budget! CFA Institute also offers scholarships through universities and so I initially applied there. However, it turned out that my university had already sponsored the maximum number (10) of students for the fiscal year. After doing some research, I came across the Toronto CFA Society’s scholarship program and it actually worked out better for me as the society scholarship essentially covered all the costs for the exams.

What advice do you have for students thinking of enrolling in the CFA Program?

MP: The program is rigorous, challenging and fun at the same time. The CFA charter will provide you with a global passport along with skills and discipline needed to succeed in the investment industry. Mastering the body of knowledge entailed in the CFA Program will help you better understand investment disciplines and will give you a competitive edge in this extremely competitive industry!

What’s next for you?

MP: I have almost finished my rotation in Fixed Income and will be starting my rotation in Equity Research soon. Just recently York University offered me a part time professor position and I will be teaching there in the fall. I am really excited and am looking forward to both challenging opportunities.

CHARTERHOLDER PROFILE is a regular feature of The Analyst. Do you have suggestions for members that we should profile? Email us with the member’s name and a few sentences about who he/she is and why this person would make an interesting choice for a profile. TheAnalyst@torontocfa.ca