Canadian Securities Course - CSC [Archive]

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Ankou

Apr 10th, 2005, 05:13 PM

Has anyone done this and if so what do they think of it.

codemonkey

Apr 10th, 2005, 07:59 PM

I've done it. What you think of it will depend on what you're looking for from it. I'll tell you what I wanted and what I got from it.

I'm a engineer (about to graduate) and I wanted to get a finance/programming job. So, I was told to do a CSC and I did. For me CSC was just a primer on the securities market. It is basically a comprehensive yet basic overview of the markets. It will not make a trader out of you and you will not make millions in the market based on the knowledge gained from the CSC. But if you're looking for a finance job, having a CSC is pretty much an informal requirement. On the other hand, if you're maybe doing a finance major, you're better off starting your CFA instead of wasting time with the CSC. But basically CSC is a basic certificate that will show the employer you have an interest in the finance side especially if you're coming from a tech side like me.

So, in the end I think it is useful but it is not a very advanced course. It covers a wide breadth of materail but not much in depth. I'd say the difficulty level is on par with a first year university course.

Hope it helps, fire away if you have any more questions.

zero_

Apr 10th, 2005, 08:17 PM

coldWater

Apr 10th, 2005, 08:21 PM

scottyb

Apr 10th, 2005, 08:50 PM

I was just looking at the link for csc, https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/introductory/csc.xhtml.

The cost is $820 for a self studied course. Is it possible to read the text and take the exam?

I did the program in the last yearr of my finance degree. It was very easy, I passed both exams comfortably without reading the entire text. For the second exam I just skimmed over it all. As was mentioned above, for people in the finance field, you take this because you have to, not to learn. For people from different disciplines, it will likely be difficult and useful.

Coolisme

Apr 11th, 2005, 12:31 AM

What's the cost of taking the CSC course?
how about the CFA?

puff_daddy_58_99

Apr 11th, 2005, 12:37 AM

huge difference between the csc and cfa. CFA has 3 levels, you need 3 years of work experience to finish all 3. The exams for the CFA are 8 hours long, and have some answer/essay questions at the higher levels.

The CSC exams are now 100 multiple choice, in 2 hours, and are incredibly easy. Any student who has taken finance at university should have no problem, I know a few people who took it in the summer between first and second year and also found it really easy.

If you need to take it for a job at a bank, be sure to take the csc instead of the mutual fund course. The CSC is much more useful in the real world, cause it is a requirement for more than just mutual funds.

Hymac

Apr 11th, 2005, 10:58 AM

huge difference between the csc and cfa. CFA has 3 levels, you need 3 years of work experience to finish all 3. The exams for the CFA are 8 hours long, and have some answer/essay questions at the higher levels.

You can write the 3 exams without work experience, but to earn the charter, you now need 4 years of relevant work experience. Level I is written twice per yr, and Levels II and III are once per year. Pass rates are anywhere from 30 - 65%, so if you fail level II for ex, you have to wait another yr to write it. You get a max of 7 yrs to complete, but you're looking at a minimum of 2.5 yrs. Toronto is pretty saturated with CFA charterholders / candidates, so it's worth is somewhat questionable.

Ankou

Apr 11th, 2005, 06:38 PM

I'm coming from the techonlogy side and i'm looking to getinto finance. Besides the CSC...do you recommend anything else.

Or how about after I complete the CSC...is there anything else I can get my foot into.

cheap sk8

Apr 14th, 2005, 09:17 PM

Sorry to get a little off topic...I was told by someone that this is the last year you can take this program via correspondence, and by next year its through university only. True, or uban legend?

trader08

Apr 14th, 2005, 10:52 PM

Sorry to get a little off topic...I was told by someone that this is the last year you can take this program via correspondence, and by next year its through university only. True, or uban legend?

Definitely an urban legend... The CSC is a program provided by CSI the company. There's absolutely no monetary benefits or otherwise to throw it into a University environment.

As for the value of CSC, I think the other posters here are absolutely correct. It really depends on where you're coming from and where you want to go.

A neat tool that's been added to the CSC recently is the CSC Simulator, gives students a chance to make some trades using real time prices. Gives you a feel of how trading works and the little pot holes you may want to avoid if you were trading for real. Too bad I learned my lesson the hard way ala the real market during the tech bubble burst! :cry:

comipz

Oct 10th, 2006, 06:05 PM

forgamez

Oct 10th, 2006, 06:17 PM

but for CFA... i heard that u have to hold a bachelor's degree at least .. even just to write the Level I exam..

That's not true. The rules were changed 2 or 3 years ago where if you are in your fourth year and eligible to graduate during that year, you may register to take the Level I exam. (ie. if you are taking the 2006 June exam, you could have registered for it in September 2005, at the start of school.) However, you must be graduate during the same academic year. (ie. In my example, you must have completed all your courses by Apirl 2006.) They will require you to send them a confirmation of your graduation prior to taking the exam.

You can find out all these rules on the CFA institute website.

Also, to the person wondering about the cost, its like 650-850 USD I think for the course. (I didn't pay for the exam, my employer did). Also, the books for level I run around 200-400USD. (Assuming you only buy the study notes like from Schweser)

vr6man25

Oct 10th, 2006, 06:29 PM

is the csc one course or a # of them?
also what will i learn in the csc? how to trade, or how the market works or what??
can someone please give a brief overview of the CSC program.

controlyar

Oct 10th, 2006, 06:53 PM

is the csc one course or a # of them?
also what will i learn in the csc? how to trade, or how the market works or what??
can someone please give a brief overview of the CSC program.

Google is your friend.
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/portfolio/csc.xhtml

uria

Nov 6th, 2006, 10:47 AM

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yugiohm3

Nov 6th, 2006, 11:47 AM

The 7 years rule no longer apply to CFA. You can take as long as you need to complete it. I did both, CSC & CFA, already.

I took CSC after I pass my CFA level 2. CSC is a joke compare to CFA. The mats cover in CFA level 1 is probably 2-4 times more then CSC. The exam is actually two 3 hours exam section on the SAME days. CSC is 2 exams which you can take in 2 different days. In addition, you can only take CFA on a fix day where CSC give you flexiblity in which you can schedule it like 2-4 times per week. I would recommand you try CSC first since it is more flexible and forgiven. The chance is if you can't pass CSC, don't bother trying CFA level 1.

driveslowhomey

Feb 23rd, 2010, 04:07 PM

I need to enroll for CSC course. I have my friends CSC books ( he took it 2 years ago). Should I get the books when I enroll or can I use his instead. I prefer hardcopy over PDF.

Thanks

driveslowhomey

Feb 23rd, 2010, 04:08 PM

Sorry one more question for past CSC takers. How long do I need to prepare. I work full time so would 2 week hardcore work?

Mystic_Champion

Feb 23rd, 2010, 05:29 PM

I was a 3rd year BBA student when I took the CSC course working on co-op at a mid-size Accounting firm during busy season. I put in 3-4 hours on the first exam and 8-10 hours on the second exam and passed easily.

First exam is really easy and second exam requires a little bit more studying.

driveslowhomey

Feb 28th, 2010, 10:32 PM

Whats the best way to study for this course?

Is there a condensed version like Schweser with CFA?

kingkhan

Feb 28th, 2010, 10:53 PM

Oliver notes for CSC. its a little over a $150.00 (both books and practice exams)

Poochi

Feb 28th, 2010, 11:34 PM

CSC took me about 6 to 8 hours per exam. I heard there is a 2 years program from George Brown College in Toronto that gives you a diploma and prepares you for the CSC exam (I don't even think it's worthwhile to spend the $$$ and time in college for 2 years just to do the exam).

It is easier to get into retail banking if you have completed CSC. It is required for mutual fund license registration.

CFA has 3 levels. Basic requirement is a 4 years Bachelor degree or equivalent (Honours BA, Honours BSc, BBA, or B.Com.). Each level the pass rate usually ranges from 33% to 45%, give or take (varies every year and level). Each exam is 6 hours, divided into 2 3-hour sessions (morning and afternoon). You are also required to have 4 years of professional work experience (must be related to the curriculum). You must adhere to their code of ethics, be a member of a local society and pay the annual dues. Level 1 is offered twice/year (June and December), where Level 2 and Level 3 are offered annually in June.

for CSC: visit Http://www.csi.ca/
for CFA: visit Http://www.cfainstitute.org/

Poochi

Feb 28th, 2010, 11:39 PM

Whats the best way to study for this course?

Is there a condensed version like Schweser with CFA?

The text book itself is easy enough to pass the course...

Also, it is advisable to use the latest material.

chinamansteve

Feb 28th, 2010, 11:45 PM

Could someone with a college diploma in the medical field take the CSC course and apply for a job at the bank?

Yankees 1903

Feb 28th, 2010, 11:58 PM

CSC 2 exam is easier than the CSC 1 exam but overall they are both easy. I did mine last year since I was taking in the in school course for it and passing the exam guaranteed us a A+ in the course and a nice jump in our GPA. Personally I showed up for every other class and did my CSC 2 exam 5 weeks before the in school course ended and passed easly. I did the same with the CSC 1 but did the exam 2 weeks before the class ended and passed.

liorsyncro

Mar 1st, 2010, 12:12 AM

but for CFA... i heard that u have to hold a bachelor's degree at least .. even just to write the Level I exam..

that's part of the reason that i'm taking CSC now instead.. and hopefully it'll help a little bit :cheesygri when it comes to the date that i'm finally eligible to write the CFA exam...
I hear news from individuals who are already hold a CFA that while a Bachelor's is required, the institute doesn't actually verify it. See, the CFA program is complex to the point where that they figure you must have some kind of post-secondary education to even consider it. Remember, you don't need a degree in finance to get a CFA, which is why I find the Bachelor's requirement a bit comical. Basically, even if you've never read a single book on money in your life, as long as you have one of them liberal arts degree from an accredited institution you are eligible to write the exam. You can always call the headquarters of the CFA institute and confirm but what I just said is off the record. Ultimately, just like anything else in life, if you're passionate about the material you will pass. It requires more of a personal commitment rather than you being an Einstein in finance.

P.S. CSC is ridiculously easy. I didn't take it but I know someone who did and I've seen the material. Again, the issue at hand is the sheer number of people who take it for the sake of bragging that they're taking it. You'll hear people say it's a 70% failure rate etc. but in my personal view, the people who take it and fail are kind of thinking it's some kind of an elitist designation. But the reality is it's an introductory course. If you find the material intolerably dry and boring then you should really look into another line of work if that's what you're taking the course for. Many people take the CSC for personal education as it's an open course. Others take it because they actually need it for work. It's the same thing when I took the mortgage agent course. The failure rate at Seneca (in my view, the best place to get your training if you want to become a mortgage broker) is 60%! The material is quite easy but the time value of money functions is where quite a few tanked.

liorsyncro

Mar 1st, 2010, 12:29 AM

Phoenix88

Mar 1st, 2010, 01:53 AM

Did my CSC a long time ago... hasn't really helped me. And if you don't have a job that requires it then it will 'expire' after 3 years. So now it is just a 50c piece of paper and a one line item on my resume.

There are very few jobs that I have seen that need CSC.

bluejazzy

Oct 19th, 2010, 03:37 PM

BUMP.

Just a very general question for anyone who has completed their CSC. I am a 3rd/4th year student doing my BBA at UofT specializing in finance. I am also a B-B+ student if that matters. How much time would you guys say someone like me would require to study to complete this? I'm going to be on 2 4 course semesters this year. This gives me a little free time.