On 1st July 2020 The European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS) welcomed the Swiss Financial Analysts Association (SFAA) back into the fold as an ordinary member. The Swiss membership application was submitted to the AGM on 5th June 2020 and received unanimous support.
SFAA and EFFAS signed an agreement last January 1st for the introduction of the CESGA® Programme on the Swiss market. As an EFFAS member the SFAA will become involved in the EFFAS initiatives and knowledge sharing among members and the European institutions.
The SFAA, founded in 1962, is committed to the ethical conduct of their near 3,000 individual members and the quality of the financial industry in Switzerland. Its mission statements are to: actively support the qualification of financial professionals with programmes and opportunities for continuing professional development; provide internationally recognised certifications; promote ethical standards governing the work and activities of members (Handbook of Best Practice); exchange information and experience between members and partners; and represent its members' interests vis-à-vis governmental and regulatory authorities as well as with the public.
EFFAS which was also established in 1962 has its headquarters in Frankfurt. It now brings together 15 national associations of finance analysts from all over Europe representing over 15,000 financial professionals. EFFAS is represented in the Board of international institutions such as: The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC); the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL); European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG); and the World Intellectual Capital Initiative (WICI). EFFAS actively works as a discussion forum and think tank of the profession through its Commissions which include: the Financial Accounting Commission (FAC); the Commission on Environmental, Social & Governance Issues (CESG); and the Training and Qualification Commission (TQC). The TQC follows the development of training and qualification needs from the professionals of the European markets. Among others, EFFAS grants the professional accreditation of European financial analyst, the Certified European Financial Analyst (CEFA) and the Certified ESG Analysts (CESGA).