Who We Are

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. Our aim is to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economics grow. Our network of more than 160 societies helps carry out our global mission in local markets.

Learn more about CFA Institute and its mission

Who We Are

CFA Society Philadelphia (CFAP) was founded in 1943 to further the interchange of information and opinions among people in the investment community, foster a high standard of ethics and promote a clear public understanding of the functions of security analysis. CFAP is a Charter Society of the CFA Institute and is the seventh largest Society in the U.S. with over 2,500 members.

Our Mission

We aspire to be a diverse Society that advances the region’s investment community by:

  • Serving our members and the broader community who seek investment knowledge, professional development, connection, and inspiration;
  • Promoting professional excellence, ethics, and education.

Code and Standards

CFA Society Philadelphia has adopted the following Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct:

A Financial Analyst:

  • Acts with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, employees, and fellow members.
  • Practices and encourages others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on members and their profession.
  • Strives to maintain and improve their competence and the competence of others in the profession.
  • Uses reasonable care and exercises independent professional judgment.

All members of the Society are required annually to sign statements that they neither violated any of the above, nor have first-hand knowledge of violations by other members.

Our History

1943 - Financial Analysts of Philadelphia founded; Rudolph Weissman served as the first president.

1947 - The National Federation of Financial Analysts Societies founded by Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and New York Societies.

1953 - Philadelphia Society hosts the first CFA Institute Annual Conference.

1959 - NFFAS Board of Directors approves the establishment of an Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.

1963 - First CFA Exam is Administered and CFA Charters Awarded. 17 Philadelphia Society members are awarded the Charter.

1965 - Philadelphia Society hosts the CFA Institute Annual Conference for the second time.

1969 - CFA Code and Standards published.

1979 - Josephine A. Baker, CFA, is elected as the first female board president of the Philadelphia Society.

1987 - Philadelphia Society hosts the CFA Institute Annual Conference for the third time.

1999 - Global Investment Performance Standards are adopted.

2005 - CFA Society Philadelphia hosts the CFA Institute Annual Conference for the fourth time.

2014 - CFA Society Philadelphia surpasses 2,000 members.

2017 - CFA Society Philadelphia hosts the CFA Institute Annual Conference for the fifth time.

2023 - CFA Society Philadelphia surpasses 2,500 members.