New York Society of Security Analysts
The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) was established in 1937 by a group of financial professionals that included Benjamin Graham, a pioneer in the financial industry. As a not-for-profit educational forum for the investment commuinity, NYSSA promotes best practices in professional and ethical development. NYSSA currently has over 11,000 members and is the largest society within the CFA Institute, which has over 90,0000 members.
Mission
Community
Through participation in NYSSA, members gain access to an extensive network of senior investment professionals and corporate executives. Membership is a gateway to an elite segment of the investment community and a breadth of resources that will serve practitioners through all stages of their careers. Free monthly Career Chats and other networking events provide a relaxed setting to meet fellow professionals and form lasting relationships. Members are eager to share their time, talent, and knowledge with each other and with the greater community through programs such as the SEMI student mentoring and the moniorty student outreach. These opportunities allow members to build an enduring link to Wall Street.
Standards
NYSSA has been at the forefront of promoting high ethical standards in the investment industry since it published the first Code of Ethics in 1945. Today, NYSSA's committees on corporate governance, improved corporate reporting, and socially responsible investing lead the discussion on the crucial themes affect in corporate responsibility and the financial community. Frequent speakers include representatives from the FASB, SWEC, and State Attorney General's Office. The Society also developed the Investment Research Challenge as a means to promote best practices in research to the next generation of analyst.
Forum
NYSSA has a long-standing tradition as the premier forum for corporate presentations to the Wall Street community. As membership has grown both in number and professional diversity, so has programming-- now encompassing over 150 events per year on topics ranging from advanced excel analysis to private wealth management. The Society's topical conferences attract the most prestigious names in the industry to discuss the critical issues facing the investment profession. NYSSA is also a leading provider of CFA exam preparatory classes and has developed a curriculum of professional development course for all career levels.
Continuing Education at NYSSA
NYSSA is a leading provider of review courses for the CFA Exam, offering Professional Development courses on a range of topics, from financial modeling to corporate valuation methodologies to deal structuring.
CFA Review Courses: NYSSA is a leading provider of review courses for CFA Exam Levels I, II, and III, and a CFA curriculum of preparatory workshops.
Professional Development: NYSSA offers continuing education classes for investment professionals, from structured finance to financial modeling with Excel.
Committees
NYSSA committees are communities of like-minded individuals who share professional interests and goals. Together, committee members plan programs, exchange IDeaS, and discuss employment opportunities. Committee participants are among NYSSA's most ACTIVE members and represent senior-level industry professionals.
Activities vary by committee. The responsibilities of membership on most committees include
• Building relationships with related organizations on Wall Street.
• Developing presentations and conferences relevant to the committee and NYSSA membership.
• Planning and attending social and networking events.
• Sharing information and resources on a particular topic.
Committee Description
Alternative Investments provides a forum for the discussion and analysis of nontraditional investment approached, including all forms of hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity, structured products, and other investments not typically in the retail marketplace.
Career Development helps members excel during all stages of their careers and adjust to changes in the financial industry. Program topics target members at all job levels-from entry level to senior professionals- and include the basics of job search, retention, and strategy.
Corporate Governance addresses issues related to shareholder rights and corporate governance. The committee hosts events assessing the impact of corporate governance on investors, including topics such as executive compensation, proxy access, and shareholder activism.
Derivatives provides a forum for investment professionals to learn more about the use and intricacies of derivatives. The committee offers content to both specialist in the derivative markets and those professionals who are not currently involved but wish to learn more.
Global Investing organizes a diverse range of programs to keep members abreast of key trends affecting global investment markets. it partners with Wall Street firms and foreign government entities such as consulates and trade promotion boards to most effectively educate members about the global economy, as well as provide social and professional networking opportunities.
Improved Corporate Reporting closely follows issues and event affecting financial reporting, compare disclosure, and accounting standards. Its primary mission is to keep NYSSA members informed about these issues through speaker programs and conference. The committee also occasionally advocates specific positions on proposed new financial reporting standards before regulators and standard setters.
Institutional Asset Management brings together professionals engaged in the management, oversight, and advisement of institutional investments. Its diverse member base includes investment consultants, plan sponsors, insurance professionals, risk managers, derivative product specialists and portfolio managers and analyst in a wide variety of asset classes.
Membership reviews prospective member applications and makes recommendation to the Board of Directors as to guidelines for membership. It helps develop and evaluate member benefits, review special offers, and look for new recruitment methods for membership. Programs include the Annual Dinner and member-networking events.
Private Wealth Management addresses the needs of private wealth management professionals by providing a community for advisors to high-net-worth individuals; delivering relevant, valuable continuing education; creating a forum for the exchange of ideas; and fostering collaboration and networking with like-minded professionals. Programming includes continuing education courses, presentations, and conferences.
Socially Responsible Investing provides a forum to advance the dialogue around the role of socially responsible investing (SRI) in today's market. Programs focus on current SRI issues, including those related to fiduciary responsibility and risk management. The committee also seeks to identify the challenges and rewards of incorporating SRI factors in security analysis.
Student encompasses the SEMI Task Force and the Student Programming Task Force. The SEMI program (Scholarship, Education, Mentoring, Internship)is a ten-week educational summer program for undergraduate finance student for New York area schools. The Student Programming Task Force focuses on programs including the Investment Research Challenge, and other NYSSA sponsored on-campus activities.
Value Investing provides a forum for the application and modification of Benjamin Graham's principles in today's domestic and international markets.