SPE-KSA Technical & Professional Programs: Growth Quest Successfully Completes Finance Essentials: Path to CFA Workshop in Collaboration with Kaplan Professional ME
The SPE-KSA Technical & Professional Programs, in collaboration with Kaplan Professional Middle East, recently hosted a highly successful Growth Quest workshop titled “Finance Essentials: Path to CFA.” Attended by 100 mid-career professionals, this two-day event was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program, equipping participants with essential financial knowledge and skills.
The workshop was led by Nicola Pasquali, a seasoned accounting and finance trainer with Kaplan Professional Middle East. Pasquali is a CFA and FRM holder with over 10 years of experience in Europe, where he successfully sealed M&A deals with high-profile entities such as Brazil’s state-owned energy company Petrobras and the global conglomerate Reliance Industries. He also holds an Executive MBA from the London Business School and has a strong background in the oil and gas sector. Additionally, Pasquali has served as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the Central Asian Investment Fund and is the CEO of Step99 Investment Consulting Boutique. His expertise in equity research analysis and mergers & acquisitions provided participants with a wealth of knowledge and practical insights into the complexities of the finance industry.
Pasquali’s sessions covered a broad range of topics critical to understanding the CFA curriculum. On the first day, participants delved into ‘Financial Statement Analysis (FSA),’ learning how to enhance the quality of financial information to make more informed decisions. The workshop also explored ‘Alternative Investments,’ comparing traditional and alternative strategies, investment methods, and the fair value hierarchy, which emphasizes transparency, objectivity, and comparability in investments.
Day two of the workshop focused on key financial concepts such as ‘Fixed Income,’ where participants learned about the significance of debt capital, the intricacies of bond pricing, and the dynamics of yield. Additionally, ‘Equity Investments’ were examined, with discussions on the definition and value of equity, historical examples of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and privatizations, and an eight-step process for corporate valuation.
A highlight of the event was the inspiring segment featuring Fatimah Aldawood, an MBA holder with a robust background in Data Analytics and Finance, previously working with Upstream Joint Ventures Management in Aramco. Aldawood shared her personal journey to achieving the prestigious CFA accreditation, discussing the challenges sheovercame and the significant impact the credential has had on her career. Her story resonated deeply with the audience, as she offered practical advice and motivation to the attending professionals aspiring to expand their expertise in finance and advance their careers.
The workshop proved to be a resounding success, making for an enriching experience for all attendees and leaving them better equipped to pursue their CFA credentials and excel in the finance industry
