Canadian Securities Course - CSC

Has anyone done this and if so what do they think of it.

I've done it. What you think of it will depend on what you're looking for from it. I'll tell you what I wanted and what I got from it.

I'm a engineer (about to graduate) and I wanted to get a finance/programming job. So, I was told to do a CSC and I did. For me CSC was just a primer on the securities market. It is basically a comprehensive yet basic overview of the markets. It will not make a trader out of you and you will not make millions in the market based on the knowledge gained from the CSC. But if you're looking for a finance job, having a CSC is pretty much an informal requirement. On the other hand, if you're maybe doing a finance major, you're better off starting your CFA instead of wasting time with the CSC. But basically CSC is a basic certificate that will show the employer you have an interest in the finance side especially if you're coming from a tech side like me.

So, in the end I think it is useful but it is not a very advanced course. It covers a wide breadth of materail but not much in depth. I'd say the difficulty level is on par with a first year university course.

Hope it helps, fire away if you have any more questions.

I was just looking at the link for csc, https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/cou...tory/csc.xhtml.

The cost is $820 for a self studied course. Is it possible to read the text and take the exam?

Originally Posted by zero_

I was just looking at the link for csc, https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/cou...tory/csc.xhtml.

The cost is $820 for a self studied course. Is it possible to read the text and take the exam?

that's what i wanted to know also.....

Originally Posted by zero_

I was just looking at the link for csc, https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/cou...tory/csc.xhtml.

The cost is $820 for a self studied course. Is it possible to read the text and take the exam?

I did the program in the last yearr of my finance degree. It was very easy, I passed both exams comfortably without reading the entire text. For the second exam I just skimmed over it all. As was mentioned above, for people in the finance field, you take this because you have to, not to learn. For people from different disciplines, it will likely be difficult and useful.

What's the cost of taking the CSC course?
how about the CFA?

huge difference between the csc and cfa. CFA has 3 levels, you need 3 years of work experience to finish all 3. The exams for the CFA are 8 hours long, and have some answer/essay questions at the higher levels.

The CSC exams are now 100 multiple choice, in 2 hours, and are incredibly easy. Any student who has taken finance at university should have no problem, I know a few people who took it in the summer between first and second year and also found it really easy.

If you need to take it for a job at a bank, be sure to take the csc instead of the mutual fund course. The CSC is much more useful in the real world, cause it is a requirement for more than just mutual funds.

Originally Posted by puff_daddy_58_99

huge difference between the csc and cfa. CFA has 3 levels, you need 3 years of work experience to finish all 3. The exams for the CFA are 8 hours long, and have some answer/essay questions at the higher levels.

You can write the 3 exams without work experience, but to earn the charter, you now need 4 years of relevant work experience. Level I is written twice per yr, and Levels II and III are once per year. Pass rates are anywhere from 30 - 65%, so if you fail level II for ex, you have to wait another yr to write it. You get a max of 7 yrs to complete, but you're looking at a minimum of 2.5 yrs. Toronto is pretty saturated with CFA charterholders / candidates, so it's worth is somewhat questionable.

I'm coming from the techonlogy side and i'm looking to getinto finance. Besides the CSC...do you recommend anything else.

Or how about after I complete the CSC...is there anything else I can get my foot into.

Sorry to get a little off topic...I was told by someone that this is the last year you can take this program via correspondence, and by next year its through university only. True, or uban legend?

Originally Posted by cheap sk8

Sorry to get a little off topic...I was told by someone that this is the last year you can take this program via correspondence, and by next year its through university only. True, or uban legend?

Definitely an urban legend... The CSC is a program provided by CSI the company. There's absolutely no monetary benefits or otherwise to throw it into a University environment.

As for the value of CSC, I think the other posters here are absolutely correct. It really depends on where you're coming from and where you want to go.

A neat tool that's been added to the CSC recently is the CSC Simulator, gives students a chance to make some trades using real time prices. Gives you a feel of how trading works and the little pot holes you may want to avoid if you were trading for real. Too bad I learned my lesson the hard way ala the real market during the tech bubble burst!

but for CFA... i heard that u have to hold a bachelor's degree at least .. even just to write the Level I exam..

that's part of the reason that i'm taking CSC now instead.. and hopefully it'll help a little bit when it comes to the date that i'm finally eligible to write the CFA exam...

Originally Posted by comipz

but for CFA... i heard that u have to hold a bachelor's degree at least .. even just to write the Level I exam..

That's not true. The rules were changed 2 or 3 years ago where if you are in your fourth year and eligible to graduate during that year, you may register to take the Level I exam. (ie. if you are taking the 2006 June exam, you could have registered for it in September 2005, at the start of school.) However, you must be graduate during the same academic year. (ie. In my example, you must have completed all your courses by Apirl 2006.) They will require you to send them a confirmation of your graduation prior to taking the exam.

You can find out all these rules on the CFA institute website.

Also, to the person wondering about the cost, its like 650-850 USD I think for the course. (I didn't pay for the exam, my employer did). Also, the books for level I run around 200-400USD. (Assuming you only buy the study notes like from Schweser)

is the csc one course or a # of them?
also what will i learn in the csc? how to trade, or how the market works or what??
can someone please give a brief overview of the CSC program.

Originally Posted by vr6man25

is the csc one course or a # of them?
also what will i learn in the csc? how to trade, or how the market works or what??
can someone please give a brief overview of the CSC program.

Google is your friend.
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/cou...olio/csc.xhtml