- Ph.D. Finance candidate, University of Cape Town
- 15+ years industry experience
- Currently a lecturer and mentor at the University of Cape Town
Tarryn Valle is a finance educator and doctoral student based in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a Master of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town, as well as undergraduate degrees in accounting and physics/astrophysics. In 2004 she was awarded the CFA designation, followed by the FRM designation in 2005. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. through the University of Cape Town. Her dissertation is an investigation into the levels of financial literacy of South Africa’s entrepreneurs.
Ms. Valle has over 15 years of experience in financial services, on both the sell-side and the buy-side. In 2005 she founded Triple Integral Financial Services, which she headed for the next 8 years and through which she provided consulting services to London-based Fund of Hedge Funds. This service encompassed quantitative and operational due diligence services as well as portfolio construction and risk management. Ms. Valle went on to serve as Head of Investment Strategy at RealFin Capital Partners, where her role was to identify global investment opportunities that were currently under-valued but where a compelling macro-economic environment existed. She also worked as a generalist at Blue Quadrant Capital Management, undertaking a variety of functions including business development as well as risk management and analytical work.
Ms. Valle has a particular passion for start-ups, from both an operational involvement and education perspective. She is currently a lecturer and mentor at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business Solution Space, a venture incubator program where she supports aspiring entrepreneurs with their financial planning and strategic business decision making.
When asked how she sees the Finance industry changing in the next 10 years, Ms. Valle said:
“The rise of low-cost trading platforms like Robinhood have made participation in capital markets and investing more accessible for many. I love that trading has become more mainstream, I do wish investing – which is different to trading – would play more prominence! However, across the board, the fees associated with trading or investing have fallen dramatically. Free brokerage and the ability to invest via Exchange Traded Funds in minimal cost products have democratised the financial system. I believe that this trend, which has been aided by technology, will continue. Greater participation in the markets is ultimately good for the financial services industry as a whole – it means more businesses can access a larger investor pool for capital, a higher level of participation creates more liquidity and “fair pricing” and the need for financial advisory and financial education services will grow.”
Q&A with Tarryn:
What do you enjoy most the Finance industry?
There are so many avenues to the finance industry and because of that, there is something for everyone. The type of person attracted to an institutional sales job is going to be very different from someone sitting on the derivatives trading desk, but both start at the same point when it comes to education.
Why did you decide to get involved with teaching?
I am a teacher at heart and for me, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing some “get it”, particularly when that entails grasping a complex or challenging concept. I think the art of teaching is being able to communicate and engage with students so that you can lead them through the learning process and not just tell them the information.
How do you see the Finance industry changing in the next 10 years? What skills will industry professionals need to have?
I think that there is going to be increasing technological change, not limited to the finance industry. We see it already in the rise of passive investing and robo-advisors, and I believe blockchain technology will materially impact typical financial back-office processes. Financial services professionals will have to stay agile and open to learning. They will need to focus on human ingenuity and relationships – the value-add over the repetitive tasks that can now be automated.
What are you looking forward to about Career Semester this fall?
Personally, I am looking forward to the opportunity to teach every day! I do love it and the fact that I will help educate students who are keen, motivated, and taking the class because they are embracing knowledge, rather than just having to get credits, is wonderful.
What skills will Career Semester students have after graduating from your class?
My aim is for students to understand the financial services ecosystem and where they might want to fit in. Having a better understanding of the players and the roles they fulfil, grounds theoretical financial knowledge in the real world. Ultimately, that is the absolute goal – to be able to hit the ground running in a career.
What is the biggest lesson that students took away from the Finance program that you taught last year? What do you hope to impart this year?
I think a lot of students had a fairly narrow view of what working in finance entailed. Many had a “Wall Street or nothing” mindset. However, finance is not only about heavy-duty quants! There is a role for everyone and it’s important to find a niche that works for your own character and attributes. I would like to impart that message again. Many are scared by the numeracy of finance, but not all finance needs mathematicians and engineers.
How will your students be putting what they learn to practice in the internship component of the program?
We will be working closely with those corporates offering internship positions to align the curriculum material with the real-world requirements. The focus on the practical elements elevates this course over the typical theory-based university offerings.
What’s one piece of advice that you have for the class of 2020?
In finance, always follow the money! It’s probably true of politics too… But it is a basic rule that allows you to get to grips with the risks and rewards of financial instruments, businesses, and even economic policy.
What would students be surprised to learn about you?
I have an undergraduate degree in physics and astrophysics and am still a bit of a space geek. I feel especially proud and awed by Elon Musk, who actually went to school just down the road from my own school.
What are your ‘desert island’ books or movies?
The Matrix remains one of my favorite movies and, if I was on a desert island, I would definitely have my 7 well-worn Harry Potters and Lord of the Rings with me.
