Editor: How did you first hear about the CFA Program?

Leung: In 1993 when I was in my fourth year of my bachelor's of commerce degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, I attended a CFA Program presentation that was given by a CFA charterholder through the university's finance society.

Editor: For someone considering the CFA Program, what can you offer as the most compelling reason to pursue the CFA charter?

Leung: The CFA charter is a global professional designation in finance, and membership with CFA Institute offers great opportunities to network and access to a wide array of continuing education tools—including numerous webcasts and publications, like CFA Magazine, which features thought-provoking, insightful interviews.

Editor: Can you remember any particular strategies or tactics that got you through the three CFA exams?

Leung: I followed a self-imposed, strict time management schedule with the 20 or so study sessions, allowing for 10 hours per session. Each session would last for a week. I reserved the last month before the exams for revisions and took one to two mock exams under real test conditions (on a Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m). I think self-study is more time consuming but results in a higher chance of passing the exam. From the unfortunate experience of many friends, I found out that the prep courses were never a substitute for self-study. One last piece of advice, don't analyze past exams in detail in order to try to figure out which topics have already been covered and won't be included on the current year's exam.

Editor: Please briefly describe your position with MCB Investment Management Co. (MCBIM).

Leung: I have been a fund manager at MCBIM for eight years. I am responsible for managing funds for institutional clients, mainly pension funds, and a few high-net-worth individual clients. Their mandates are mostly equity focused.

Editor: What are the fun and interesting parts of your job?

Leung: Going to see institutional clients to present and explain our performance figures. Sometimes it involves making a PowerPoint presentation before a crowd of 100 members and we need to ensure that the message is being conveyed in layman's terms. I am also involved in equity analysis and attending annual general, analyst, and company meetings.

Editor: What did you learn from the CFA Program that you would not have learned anyplace else?

Leung: The Code of Ethics and asset valuations. The CFA [Institute] Code of Ethics has helped me avoid unethical situations and educate others about ethics in the industry whenever possible.

Editor: How is the CFA designation perceived in Mauritius?

Leung: The CFA charter is very highly recognized. Some recruiting ads specifically require the CFA designation for an investment-related job. Currently, there are only ten CFA charterholders locally, two overseas and two who passed Level III but have not yet met the four years' work experience requirement.

Editor: What is the most important thing you've gained from being involved with the Society of Financial Analysts of Mauritius?

Leung: Public awareness is a continuous process. I have been involved in SFA of Mauritius since its inception in 2001. Two years later, SFA of Mauritius became affiliated with CFA Institute. The society, with the help of CFA Institute, is promoting the CFA Program to local employers, universities, and the local investment community (including the regulator).

Editor: CFA Institute members who hold the CFA charter often speak of the connections or networking opportunities that open up once they earn the designation. Do you have any personal experience to illustrate this?

Leung: Involvement can take place with the local society or directly with CFA Institute. Personally, for me, it is both. On the local society level, I was the founding treasurer from 2001 through 2005. Through CFA Institute, I participated in a standard setting meeting in Washington, DC, in June 2006, where the purpose of the workshop was to provide information to the CFA Institute Board of Governors who will establish the final MPS on a test. The interactions with fellow charterholders during the workshop and during the breaks were fruitful. Once you earn your designation, I would strongly urge you to express your interest in joining any of the numerous subcommittees offered through CFA Institute. You will meet people who you would not have been able to meet otherwise. I think volunteering locally or with CFA Institute is one way to repay what you have earned from the designation in monetary and nonmonetary terms.