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For Chanitr Charnchainarong, CFA, whose undergraduate and master’s degrees were in electrical engineering, the CFA Program — along with hands-on work in finance for his job at Vnet Capital — was an attractive, albeit intensive, alternative to business school. The CFA Program allowed Charnchainarong to focus on the portfolio manager/analyst point of view, which has served him well in his subsequent work in the broadcasting and IT industries. His current position revolves around planning and investment related issues.
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EDITOR: With a background in electrical engineering, how did you first hear about the CFA Program?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: Although my educational background was in engineering, my career took a turn when I decided to leave the engineering field. I was working for Hewlett-Packard Thailand and chose a different path when I joined a local finance and securities company as an analyst. Without an MBA or an accounting background, I hoped there was an educational program that was more specific than business school. Mr. Prasert Virasathienpornkul, CFA, whom I believe was one of the earlier pioneers of Thai CFA candidates at that time, introduced the CFA Program to me and the rest is history.
EDITOR: Why were you willing to put in the time and effort that it took you to earn the charter?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: Because I feel that the knowledge I received over the years is by far more applicable toward investment activities than going through any similar educational programs. The syllabus is updated each year and the post-candidate information is current and practical.
EDITOR: What did you find most challenging or difficult about the CFA Program?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: Learning to be patient!
EDITOR: What advice would you give to CFA candidates?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: Plan your strategy right after the previous [exam] result comes out. Your memory can only hold so much. Thoroughly understanding each subject will be what gets you through the exam pressure. And always look at the big picture.
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EDITOR: How has being a CFA charterholder influenced your career?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: Very much
as I have gotten involved with a great deal of investment analysis over
the years, both through private equity and in corporate investments. Recently,
our firm was approved by the Thai Ministry of Finance to operate a Venture
Capital license under the name “VNET Venture Capital Management Securities
Co. Ltd.”
EDITOR: Now that you are an AIMR member, how do you think you will be involved with AIMR?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: I hope
that there will be sufficient initiative and enough interested members
to help establish the Thai Chapter but until then the Singapore Chapter
is accessible. We have a local securities analysts association in which
I participate, teaching some courses, but it is not a local AIMR society.
EDITOR: What do you hope to get out of your membership?
MR. CHARNCHAINARONG: The benefits of AIMR membership for me are enormous. The educational opportunities available through AIMR allow me to continue the education I began as a CFA candidate.
