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

Varga: I heard about it from my Polish colleague who was about to enroll for the exam when I met him. He encouraged me also to sit for the exam the following June. It didn’t prove to be a difficult job for him to convince me as, after reading about the curriculum and having heard all the positive feedback on the CFA Program, I went for it as well.

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

Varga: Practice, practice, practice — this is key for the CFA exam. You have to master the material by the exam day so well that time shouldn’t be your enemy. First I tried learning on my own, but I found it very difficult to do it efficiently and allocate enough time aside from a day job. Then I decided to supplement my studies with a preparation course. It was not only the extra materials they provided but a fixed, three-hour class each week after work. And then I could purely dedicate at least this time slot from my schedule for learning. Of course, lots of additional reading and practice followed it on other days and weekends.

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

Varga: Apart from the knowledge you can gain from the studies, I think for those who seriously want to pursue a career in the financial markets, it is an essential step nowadays. As the program expands around the world, one day it may be a minimum requirement, in certain areas, to have a CFA designation.

Editor: Was it worth the effort to earn your CFA charter?

Varga: No doubt about it. All the knowledge I accumulated during my time preparing for the exams and the appreciation I receive in feedback from people since I have my charter proves it was not a useless effort.

Editor: What have been the fun and interesting parts of your career?

Varga: Meeting those many different people and cultures during my business trips through my region and working with my truly international team over the years is a very special and unique experience a person can have. This is an asset that is not replaceable by anything else.

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

Varga: Obviously ethics is a key and significant part of the exam and not much like anything else in other exams, but I also enjoyed learning the latest practices that investment professionals follow around the world. This is what you could have only heard about if you had worked in each specific field of the wide planet of the investment industry.

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?

Varga: I joined the local society before earning the charter. I was called as a candidate by one of the current members to establish the Hungarian society. I didn’t hesitate and accepted the invitation. Soon I found myself in a group of ambitious individuals from all around the market. Most of them were new for me. Now, I can say, we all know each other almost as friends.

Editor: How is the CFA Program perceived in Hungary?

Varga: Even though the CFA Program is known better each year in Hungary, still it shows a very mixed picture. There are definitely more job ads looking for CFA charterholders, and more companies welcome and appreciate the CFA designation than ever before.

Editor: What did you gain from the experience of starting the Hungary Society in 2000?

Varga: We had a very few [CFA] charterholders at the time when the society was established. It helped to raise the awareness of the CFA Program and since then, I think, we have reached the ‘critical mass’ in this country. And more and more people are trying to take the test in Budapest each year. Regarding my own personal gain, I had the chance to meet and get to know many of my fellow professionals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Editor: Any other words of encouragement or comments about CFA Institute or the CFA Program?

Varga: Keep up with the excellent job and make all efforts to preserve the outstanding value of the CFA charter.