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Chartered Finance Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge

22 August 2023

The Chartered Finance Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge brings the best finance students together in an inter-university business competition. Teams assume the role of research analysts and apply their investment analysis and advisory skills to an investment management case. Check out the CFA Challenge.

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UC team ranking second in the CFA research challenge in 2015. From left to right: Beini Echo Guo (Murray & Co), Alice Lee, Dylan Beardsley (Brycharl Corporation), Sung Park (Christchurch City Council), Dr Huong Dieu Dang, CFA, Robyn Nuttall.

 

In the challenge, teams assume the role of research analysts and apply their investment analysis and advisory skills to an investment management case.

 

About the Challenge

Students with a strong background in Economic, Finance and Accounting are welcome to apply to represent UC at the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

In the competition, student teams compete to present the best company analysis, research report, and presentation for an opportunity to vie for the regional and global titles. It’s a great CV builder and a chance to interact with the industry’s top firms.

Key Dates 
26 July 2023 1pmKick-off meeting
26 July - 10 August 2023Register with CFA Institute
22 August 2023Target company teleconference info session + Q&A
5 September 2023Written questions for target company due
19 SeptemberResponses to written questions
3 October 5pmFinal written report due
3-13 October 2023Written report grading
13 OctoberLocal final presentations day (Auckland)
March 2024Regional Final
April 2024Global Final
UC team results

The UC team has performed well ever since this challenge was first organised in New Zealand in 2008. UC ranked 1st place in 2008 and 2009 (second in the Asia-Pacific competition), 2nd place in 2010, 2013 and 2015, and 3rd place in 2012 and 2016. The rankings were not announced in 2014 but a judge provided an informal feedback that UC had the best report. 

 

Where are former team members working?
  • New Zealand: PWC, KPMG, Murray & Co, BNZ, Christchurch City Council
  • Australia: Bain & Company, Rothschild and Co
  • USA: Farmers Insurance, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
  • Germany: Ebner Stolz
 
Where did team members study after graduating from UC?
  • UK: University of Edinburgh, London School of Economics
  • USA: University of Washington, Case Western Reserve University

 

What do former team members say about the challenge?

Jake Wilsea-Smith, Analyst at Rothschild and Co, Sydney (2013 team)

"I actually managed to get a role as a Graduate Analyst in Deloitte Corporate Finance (Wellington) starting next year! I mentioned my experience from the CFA Research challenge and I think they were impressed by it, so thank you again for having me on the team."

Beini Guo, Analyst at Murray & Co, Christchurch (2015 team)

"Overall it has given the whole team valuable skills and experience. I have been offered a graduate analyst position in the investment team at Murray & Co. At my interview, the employer was really interested in our final report and asked me to email it to them. The challenge helps give you confidence in making your own investing decisions and not need to rely solely on analysts’ recommendations."

Dominic O'Connor, Associate Consultant at Bain & Company, Sydney (2016 team)

"It was a fantastic competition in preparing me for my summer of work at UBS [as an analyst] in their investment banking team."

Nancy Dong, Analyst at Murray & Co, Christchurch (2016 team)

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the CFA Challenge this year - it was a truly great experience."

Are you interested in joining the UC CFA team?

Contact Moritz Wagner, Challenge Coordinator to find out more about this year's challenge

To take part in the CFA Challenge

Apply now
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