520 certified financial analysts in Saudi Arabia: CFA exec

Fahad Kordi, Board Member at CFA Society Saudi Arabia

There are 520 certified financial analysts in Saudi Arabia currently, up from 490 last year, Fahad Kordi, Board Member at CFA Society Saudi Arabia, told Argaam on the sidelines of Middle East Investment Conference in Riyadh today, Feb. 27.

He noted that earlier the number of certified analysts was much lower.

More than 1,000 candidates are aiming for the first certification phase, over 250 for the second, and around 260 for the third, Kordi said. Women constitute about 30%, or roughly 600, of the candidates, he added, highlighting the association's rapid growth in Saudi Arabia.

He noted support from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) via the Financial Academy.

Kordi praised the output of Saudi universities—such as King Saud University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Alfaisal University, among others—that have CFA Institute accreditation. Two more universities plan to join, he added.