Ms. Elbie Louw, CFA, CIPM

Senior Lecturer, Department of Financial Management
University of Pretoria, South Africa
CFA Society South Africa (member)
Charterholder since 2004

From Student to Charterholder to Program Partner: My CFA Journey
By Elbie Louw, CFA, CIPM

If it weren’t for my professor and mentor, Gerhard Van de Venter, who was sitting for level III at the same time I was sitting for level I back in 2002, I don’t think I would have appreciated what the CFA Program requires. Gerhard was instrumental in me pursuing the CFA designation and his commitment and discipline were so inspirational, especially to someone just beginning the CFA journey at level I. Gerhard set a foundation for me as to how to approach the CFA Program and the rigors of exam preparation, in particular.

When my mentor (and now friend) pursued another teaching opportunity in South Africa, I applied for his position as a senior lecturer in the Department of Financial Management at the University of Pretoria and was thrilled when I got it. Although I was still studying for CFA exams and now had a full-time job, I could instantly see an overlap of knowledge between the two worlds. I soon realized how much teaching changed my approach to studying and the benefits it offered: You think technically and practically about every angle of a topic to ensure that you can answer all possible questions that come your way in a classroom, and you identify all the pitfalls of an argument.

Now the tables are turned, and I am the mentor instead of the student. My university is more than 100 universities that incorporate the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct in an undergraduate degree program namely the BCom (Baccalareus Commercii) Investment Management degree. We became a partner university in 2006, which is when I became director, but as with many stories, so many people laid the groundwork for our success. We strongly believe that the CFA Program partnership and our association with it provide a level of credibility and familiarity when students apply for global job opportunities. My involvement also creates an opportunity for more personal relationships with other academics around the world.

There is worldwide recognition for the CFA Program as well as the excellent reputation of those who are awarded the charter. Earning the CFA designation means you make a lifelong commitment to education, ethics, and best practices in our industry. I tell my students that it is a “higher calling,” and I will continue to encourage them to pursue their passion for financial analysis.