Supplemental Topics for CFA Program

At the end of the course, the successful student should be able to:

1.  describe the components of the Code of Ethics (the "Code") and Standards of Professional Conduct (the "Standards")  for investment professionals;
2.  explain the ethical responsibilities required by the Code and Standards, including the sub-sections of each standard;
3.  demonstrate the application of the Code and Standards under different scenarios;
4.  distinguish between conduct that conforms to the Code and Standards and conduct that violates the Code and standards;
5.  recommend practices and procedures designed to prevent violations of the Code and Standards;
6.  explain the scope and key features of the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) and the fundamentals of compliance;
7.  describe major sections of the GIPS standards; explain how the GIPS standards are implemented for performance reporting;
8.  explain the key principles of Elliott Wave Theory and the importance of Fibonacci numbers;
9.  describe inter-market analysis relating to technical analysis and asset allocation;
10. select an optimal portfolio using Roy's safety-first criterion;
11. describe implications for financial analysis of different financial reporting systems and the importance of monitoring developments in financial reporting standards;
12. describe factors that influence the level and volatility of yield spreads, calculate the return impact of spread changes;
13. explain special considerations when evaluating the credit of high yield, sovereign and municipal debt issuers and issues;
14. describe issues in valuing and calculating returns on private equity, hedge funds, real estate and commodities; and
15. describe risk management of alternative investments.