About Swiss Finance Academy

What did you think of the Swiss Finance Academy faculty?

All of the faculty members are great teachers, and obviously have a passion for the work that they do. They understand that the curriculum is difficult, so they take as much time as needed to ensure that EVERYONE in the class understands what is going on. This was especially helpful for those in the class who had no prior background in finance or business. The SFA faculty offers a unique perspective because all faculty members speak and teach from personal experience. Their anecdotes make classroom discussions much livelier, and they certainly have some surprising insights into the industry... I was greatly surprised by all that I didn’t know! The faculty members spend a lot of time with program participants, both inside and outside of the classroom, so you really get a chance to know them well. Many SFA alumni speak of the strength of the network as it relates to bonds between classmates, but the faculty members are also a part of the network, and are always willing to provide guidance and support to former students.

How did your Swiss Finance Academy program help you?

Believe it or not, I have used what I learned from the SFA curriculum to assist me in my accounting classes (one might think that it would be the other way around!). The extensive work that we did on understanding financial statements and valuing a company has been particularly helpful. Before coming to the Academy, I had been assigned an important accounting paper; I was able to take much of what I learned at SFA and integrate it into the paper – it turned out great! I really learned so much from this program, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a career in investment banking or corporate finance. Regardless of your educational background, this program has something to offer to everyone, whether it is your sole source of industry knowledge and experience or simply a practical supplement for the theoretical knowledge you have gained from other coursework.

- Valarie Davis