Expert: Paul Henneman - 1/11/2004

Question
Hi Mr. Henneman,
 I would love to learn how to analyze companies, pick stocks, funds, annuities, etc., and PROFESSIONALLY manage my and possibly other's future portfolios.
 If I were to go for a bachelor/master's degree in the above areas, should it be in business, marketing, finance, certified financial analyst..or another area which I'm not aware of?...or would just certified financial planner training get me there?
 The Canadian Securities Institute offers a Canadian Securities Course as entry level to become a stock broker. I talked to them and they said U.S. regs./trading differ in some areas. Is there any course such as this being taught in the U.S. by the S.E.C. or other entity?
 Thanks for any enlightenment! Sincerely, Mike Eidson  

Answer
Thank you for your question!
I would suggest Finance as the program choice for the career you are considering. This would give you the best background education into the priciples of not only actually participating in an advisory career, but to formulate plans and strategies that will serve your clients to achieve strong returns based on their investment needs. Financial planner certification will get you started. But, as with any career, you'll want to make yourself stand out with additional qualifications from the many other choices potential clients will have. Formal education in finance offers this. I strongly recommned it.
I also suggest that you take a look at www.ValuEngine.com, not to buy any services, but instead to read some of the articles and research information on the complicated process my company uses to offer quality financial research. ValuEngine, Inc was founded by two Professors of Finance at Yale University, and you'll see the complexity in our approach. (download the free article in the pop up window on www.Valuengine.com) But it works.
The problem with the basic certification is that they teach you the requirements to get into the field, but not how to really offer value in financial research advice and research. This is tough to do, and takes a lifetime of research. You will be rewared heavily for the efforts though, as all investors are looking for returns. If you can offer consistently strong returns, that will be rewarded. It is also difficult, and should be the center of your approach to entering the field.
I'm not aware of any programs offered by the SEC or other government entity, but the SEC's website is www.sec.gov  I could not find any information there myself on such a program, so it may not exist. But a closer look may find something.
I hope this helps! Please do not hesitate to reply to this message if I can be of any further service,

Sincerely,
Paul Henneman
President
ValuEngine, Inc.
www.ValuEngine.com