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Society of Technical Analysts

The STA’s main objective is to promote greater use and understanding of technical analysis as a vital investment tool. It aims to serve all members of the investment community – from professionals of the investment industry to interested members of the public.

 

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Education (exams and professional qualifications)

IFTA CFTe Programme (exams and professional qualifications)

Regular meetings (for discussion and dissemination of technical developments)

Reference source (hosting a library of relevant books and papers)

STA Journal (covering research, software, reviews and industry news)

Membership (how to become a member and the benefits of membership)

STA Committees (committees where members can work on STA related issues and programs)

Useful Links (technical societies around the world)

Recruitment Links (STA email/post and web advertisements)

STA Charts (useful charts from TraderMade)

Bronwen Wood Memorial Prize

STA Executive Committee (the STA Board)

Members Site Login

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Copyright © 2007, The Society of Technical Analysts Limited

STA Administration Services
Dean House
Vernham Dean
Hampshire
SP11 0JZ


Tel: 0845 003 9549
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7125 0038
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7900 2585

Email: info@sta-uk.org

Incorporated in England No. 2074345
Registered Office: 1st floor, 41 Charlton street, London NW1 1JD

 

Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) Program

The IFTA Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) replaces DITA I & II, which started in 1996. The program consists of two levels, with the examinations normally being taken at 12-month intervals. There are usually two exam sittings per year. The program is designed to lead onto the Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA)

Venues and dates vary from year to year, but each April they generally include London, Frankurt, Geneva and Hong Kong as well as at least one site in North America, and in October/November they always include the site of IFTA's Annual Conference which takes place at various centres throughout the world.

If strict conditions of security and authorised supervision can be guaranteed, IFTA may agree to permit the examinations to be taken in other places on an individual or (more usually) on a group basis.

Examinations

The two examinations culminate in the award of a truly international professional qualification in Technical Analysis. The exams test not only technical skills, but also ethics and international market knowledge.

CFTe 1: This exam consists of 120 questions with multiple choice-answers, covering a wide range of technical knowledge but not usually involving actual experience. The pass mark is generally above 70 percent. Previous exams are not available, but a limited number of sample questions is sent out with the syllabus and reading list.

CFTe 2: This exam incorporates a number of questions requiring (short) essay-type answers which should demonstrate both knowledge of and experience in using various types of technical analysis; it also provides a number of different charts covering one specific market (often an equity), which has to be analyzed as though for a Fund Manager. The pass mark is normally above 70 percent. Syllabus and required reading list, as well as previous exam papers, are available on receipt of application and fees. Members of the STA may sit the STA Diploma exam rather than CFTe 2

Prerequisites

Only members of IFTA societies (like the STA) may take these exams

Curriculum

The program is essentially designed for self-study. Local societies may offer preparation courses to assist potential candidates. Reading Lists are available on the IFTA website.

Exemptions

Holders of the STA Diploma who passed the exam after 1st Jan 2006 are exempt from CFTe 2, but must pass CFTe 1 before qualifiying for the Certificate.

Cost

Cost of the exams is as follows: CFTe 1 US $500 and CFTe 2 US $800.

Registration

Application forms for CFTe 1 and CFTe 2 are available from the IFTA website, www.ifta.org

Applications must be complete and accompanied by registration fees.

   

Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA) Program

Introduction

IFTA's Master of Financial Technical Analysis - MFTA - replaces DITA III. It requires a university-style research paper. It is intended to be a severe test of professionalism in the global arena. There is one submission date per year., usually the beginning of May.

Prerequisites

MFTA is opened to all holders of the Certified Financial Technician designation or equivalent (currently CMTA from the NTAA and Dip.TA from AATA) who are members of IFTA-affiliated Societies (IFTA Colleagues). On receipt of applications, confirmation will be sought from the candidate's local Society that the applicant is a properly accredited and fully paid-up member or associate member of that Society before further processing takes place.

For those IFTA Colleagues who do not have the formal qualifications outlined above, but who either have other certification and/or many years experience working as technical analysts, the Accreditation Committee has developed an "alternate path" by which candidates with substantial academic or practical work in technical analysis can bypass the requirement for the CFTe.

In general, there are 3 categories of applicants for the Alternate Path:. It is open to IFTA Colleagues who

  • Have technical analysis certification other than CFTe (such as CMT, STA Diploma) PLUS three years experience as a technician

  • Have financial certification other than CFTe (such as CFA, CPA, MBA) PLUS five years experience as a technician

  • Have experience only (8 years minimum)
Candidates in these or very similar circumstances may apply for the "Alternate Path" which is a prequalification procedure. If approved, they may register for the MFTA and send in their research proposals.

Cost

Cost of the exam is US $900.

Registration

Application form is available on the IFTA Web site

Program Details

In order to complete this level and receive your Diploma, you must write a research paper of no less than three thousand words (but generally no more than five thousand). Charts, Figures and Tables may be presented in addition, but should not constitute the bulk of the paper.

Your paper must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be original
  • It must develop a reasoned and logical argument and lead to a sound conclusion supported by the tests, studies and analysess contained in the paper
  • The subject matter should be of practical application, and
  • It should add to the body of knowledge in the discipline of international technical analysis.

 

Further Information

For more information on this Diploma please e-mail admin@ifta.org.