Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals (BFF): Certification for Students

Abstract

I show you how to use the Bloomberg Professional Service (i.e., the “Bloomberg Terminal”) to obtain Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals (BFF) certification.

BFF certification is a self-paced e-learning interactive course that can be taken for free using a Bloomberg Terminal. I explain the structure of the BFF certification process and I give advice/comments for students seeking BFF certification.

The BFF course describes how the economy works (households, companies, government, and the financial sector). It discusses personal finance (e.g., saving for retirement and changing risk aversion at different stages of life) and starting a business (e.g., sources of finance, business plans, and how a business goes public). ESG investing is introduced. There is also career advice (e.g., differences between buy-side and sell-side finance careers, and job interview advice). Other topics include financial journalism, financial fraud, and portfolio management.

Bloomberg BFF certification could be a formal requirement in an introductory or intermediate finance class (e.g., Finance 101, Personal Finance). Advanced finance students and professors, however, have little to gain from BFF certification.

Advanced finance students and professors should instead consider Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certification, as discussed in Crack (2023a), and/or Bloomberg Environmental Social Governance (ESG) certification, as discussed in Crack (2023b). Advanced finance students and professors can also benefit from well-constructed hands-on Bloomberg exercises. For example, Crack (2023c) and Crack (2023d) give value investing and ESG investing exercises, respectively.

Keywords: Bloomberg Professional Service, Bloomberg Terminal, Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals Certification, Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification, BFF, BMC, ESG

JEL Classification: G11, G12, A22, A23