Klugy Mathurin, CFA, CPA, CAIA on LinkedIn: Students often message me asking which is harder: the CPA exams, the CFA… | 18 comments (2024)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗙𝗔 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀?Look for a provider with a degree in accounting, finance or economics—someone with a combination of these strong academic backgrounds can significantly help you along in your journey to earning your charter. For more guidance on how to prep for the CFA exam, visit levelupbootcamps.com.#cfa #cfalevel3 #cfaexam #cfainstitute #cfacharterholder #cfaprogram

Listen To The Examiners 🙏🏽At the recent ACCA Tutor Conference where we heard from members of the ACCA AFM examining team, there was a particular emphasis put onto the new professional skills marks. Scepticism & acumen are two of those and are the most challenging relative to the other two. With this in mind, I have prepared a 42 page document called “Dealing with Scepticism & Acumen - The New Theory Pack” Here, I have summarised all the theory/written aspects of ACCA AFM (extract shown in the photo). It is included in all my online courses including the Mock Exams only. I see it as being that very important. However, I don’t leave it there. On a regular basis, if I see current business events that could help enhance your ACCA AFM answer as a relevant support point, I WhatsApp my students & reference this to the Theory Pack. “2023 Acumen Latest News Snippets - 11th May As promised, please add these to your theory pack as a snippet of latest news you may be able to bring into the exam Bonds Cost of CapitalInterest Rate Risk Mgt The Bank of England are set to raise interest rates today to curb inflation. This brings into question the assumption that the risk free rate remains constant. It adds to systematic risk and that means a change in beta, Ke & WACC. Interest Rate Put premiums will rise as more demand to cover rate rises. Call option premiums will fall. Who will buy them interest rates are rising (upside benefit).”

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Focus of AttentionWith the ACCA exam week almost upon us, most students will start to think what to concentrate on prior to their day with destiny. For those studying my subject, ACCA AFM, this blog will give you food for thought. https://lnkd.in/ePjskKpP

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For those considering the best route to get ahead in finance, a university degree is not the only option.My article in today's FT via the Financial Training Special Report: https://lnkd.in/evHn4W9e

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Exam Tips As promised earlier this week, this is my final guidance for the ACCA AFM students preparing for the December 2023 exam sitting. https://lnkd.in/eXUckCbd

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Exam Success via “PFS” This is the first of a series of three posts to assist & guide those who are preparing for their forthcoming ACCA exams in September. I have simply called this the “PFS” approach. P = PlanHaving a clear & realistic revision plan is the foundation to clearing your ACCA exam hurdle. This means you know what you are going to do and on what days. It has to be realistic to make it achievable. Then you will stick to it. So as an example, you can see below revision & mock exam plan my ACCA AFM cohort will follow next month along with the topics covered in each session. I recognise virtually all of my students are working individuals and so I use their time at the weekends to cover the “bigger” topics.

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Actions Speak Louder Than WordsReading and digesting the ACCA Examiner's Reports is a key part of being ready for the next exam. However, it's how you put those words into action that will get you over line.To illustrate this, in the document below, I have taken 3 x key comments from the latest ACCA AFM Examiner Report. Then, accompanied those with an extract from my exam timed attempt at the relevant part of the question.Please keep in mind, that I had not seen the report prior to attempting the questions. I hope this will help you pass the exam and please feel free to comment and/or repost.

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We continue to see the importance of candidates sticking to their study plans, as reinforced in our recentInside the CFA Programvideo,“Four Factors for Exam Success”that lists four data-backed study habits that we have seen lead to passing scores. We will have more to share about additional insights we’ve learned about the relationship between candidates’ usage of the Learning Ecosystem and their exam performance in the coming weeks.If you need help better understanding how the CFA exam is scored or your performance on the exam,visit: https://lnkd.in/gK4iUKhkWatch this four-minute video (below)featuringkey takeawaysthat explain why:✓ Our fixedbar (rather than forcedcurve) approach to grading upholds the consistency and rigor of the exam and charter across exam administrations;✓ Pandemic-related disruptions had an effect on some of our candidates’ ability to prepare. We found that scores for candidates whose exams had been deferred at least once significantly impacted the overall pass rate; and✓ Thorough preparation is key to passing the exams. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gRzeQFEw| www.cfacolorado.org |

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PREPARING FOR AN EXAM.I learnt a lesson that I want to share with those of us preparing for any kind of examination. By the nature of my work and the requirement of the industry I play in, I am mandated to write periodic examinations. After an examination in 2018, I came up with the impression that I needed not to read to pass the examinations, I was of the opinion that my knowledge of Accounting, Finance and its Market was all I needed to pass the exam. I did pass the exam when the result was released.Fast foward to 2021, when I was required to write the next level of the exam, I decided not to prepare bacause I felt I already had the knowledge of the industry and I was involved in grooming candidates for the CFA and FRM examinations. I got into the examination hall and the questions were on a different level, many were institution specific and needed understanding beyond general knowledge of finance and accounting. My saving grace was that colleagues who were preparing for the same exam had been picking my brain and I had reasons to discuss many of the areas they were reading with them. I passed but had learnt my lesson, if I must write an exam, I must prepare well for it. And I tell those who seek my advise for their professional examination that they must have both length (cover as many areas of the syllabus or curriculum as possible) and depth (have a deep understanding of the concepts and how questions are asked) before they step into the exam hall. Except you can read the mind of the examiner, know that all areas can be tested.Like a Boys Scout, be Prepared!

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Understand The Concept = Pass the Exam!One of the pitfalls that ACCA students often face is processing a calculation by learning the steps/sequences, but not understanding the concept behind this.Then, if a witten/theory question is in the ACCA exam on this topic, they can't explain it and fail to get the easy marks available.So let's take an example - risk adjusted cost of capital. This comes up many times in ACCA FM and AFM as a theory question. In the former, you will see this in the constructive response part of the exam. In the latter, Q1 (a) is where this tends to rear its head.I wrote this article in PQ magazine a while ago (thanks Graham Hambly for publishing), but it is very relevant for the current exams. I hope it helps you understand the concept behind this topic using my 'simple' approach and analogy. Feel free to comment and/or re-share.

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