FAU Equity Analyst Program

Objective

To equip students with cutting edge skills in financial analysis and equity research through the creation of quality, independent equity research reports. This educational challenge builds relevant, worldwide fundamental investment knowledge to educate, train and develop the next generation of financial analysts. Only 20 students participate in this prestigious program, so make sure you contact us today!

Concept

The program will create quality independent equity research reports for Florida based, publicly traded companies that are underserved, or simply not on the radar of Wall Street analysts.

Investment Thesis

The investment thesis revolves around the deep value approach to investing. The student will learn the basics of fundamental analysis, valuation models and their application to equity investing.

Structure

The core of the program is designed around relevant portions of the candidate body of knowledge from the CFA® program. The program emphasizes practical, hands-on training, which existing investment professionals view as relevant and current in the marketplace.

Student Benefits

Students gain real experience and training in practicing financial analysis and company valuations. The program teaches students skills they can proudly put on their resume that will make them stand out in today’s competitive job market. Students will receive a Equity Analyst Certificate from FAU and is also required to become Bloomberg Essentials Certified.

Program Structure

The Equity Analyst Program is a 6 credit hour program. Selected Undergraduate and Graduate Students will register 2 classes totaling 6 credit hours Fall 2012.
The two classes will run over two semesters (Fall & Spring) and will be graded at the end of the Spring semester. Students will be required to go through an intensive financial analysis training program modeled from the CFA curriculum. To complete the program, students will be required to submit and present a final research project and to become Bloomberg Certified. The EAP will also prepare students to sit for the CFA Level 1 exam.

Program

• Step 1: Application and selection process
• Step 2: Investment training program based on the CFA candidate curriculum ®
• Step 3: Student is assigned a firm in a specific industry to analyze
• Step 4: Draft equity research report is produced and presented
• Step 5: Research will be graded, approved by the investment committee and published

Basic Requirements and Eligibility

• Student must have a 3.3 GPA or higher in their major
• Undergraduate Student must be a business major
• Undergraduate Students should be in their Junior or Senior year.
• Graduate students must be in good standing in the MBA or Master’s program

Required Prerequisite Courses

• Undergraduate students should have completed the majority of the following: Accounting I & II, Corporate Finance, Money and Banking, Economics (macro/micro), Advanced Finance.
• Graduate students should have completed the at least two of the business courses listed above, if their undergraduate degree is not in business.

Written Essay

Three essay questions must be answered and submitted with the The Equity Analyst Program application. Those candidates who are selected will be interviewed; interviews will be conducted by the investment committee. Only those applicants selected will be contacted for an interview.