CFA® Levels Value
Hi, I was wondering if it is only worth to take the CFA®if I try to pass all 3 levels. I was only thinking of going up to Level 1.
Is there any value in passing CFA®Level 1?
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If you're still in college, taking and only taking level 1 is a solid move, I think actually worthwhile. Sets you apart in entry level interviews, also if you have a subpar (GPA) it will forgive a lot of sins. This is from personal experience.
Definitely. Working at a large asset manager where we get zillions of applications (and i'm the "associate x" to use the phrase used in a post from a few days ago) I can tell you there are a number of times where we have given someone an interview that we never in a million years would have spoken to unless they had a Level 1 on their resume. I would imagine the same is true for IB. Also, the value is just about doubled if you majored in something non-econ/finance or went to a liberal arts school.
Hey,
I just finished my Engineering. So you're saying doing a CFA level 1 will help me stand out compared to my peers who did financial undergrads?
Thank you!
I just graduated college-I had a 3.5GPA Econ major from a target school.
How much weight does a CFA actually carry? (Originally Posted: 07/26/2010)
Just wondering to those of you who work in the industry all ready, how much does the CFA actually help on a resume if your just a candidate or have only passed level 1. Or really, at all?
Alex
Shows interest. Better than nothing. Means more when you have the CFA complete. Do a search.
defo shows interest plus gives you some good revision and recap of all basics (CFA1)...I am just going through the first book..
if your in the field already finding time to study may not be worth it. obv depends on lots of factors
thanks guys
In the US it shows dedication and knowledge, nothing more or less, especially for non business majors. Also, puts you ahead of someone with same cards as you expect for the CFA. Internationally, a lot more weight than in the US, especially Asia and Middle East, particularly the latter.
Why is the CFA carry so much weight in the ME? Do Sovereign Wealth Funds look for CFA's from America?
Does not show shit in my opinion. Total waste of time. You need to have 2-3 years work experience and THEN do it. Fresh from undergrad - it makes you look like a nerd.
It depends.
The CFA is immensely important on the buy-side with respects to Mutual Funds, Pension Funds, ie. Fidelity and Vanguard will force you to take the test if you do not have it. It will not do much for your PE/VC search. And to the dismay of many on here, it may help (only a little) in terms of HF jobs.
I definitely thinks it helps if you have no finance background, or say, you do programming at bank. I have seen 2 of my friends get into FO roles using this route, although they were both quant/engineer guys with plenty of talent.
But to be quite honest, experience trumps all. HF/PE/VC, hell even consulting firms, want that experience. These firms want individuals who have traded Vol Swaps before, or someone who has had experience valuing a company's debt. The problem is, you will primarily only get this experience by working at an I-Bank, and banks could give a damn about your designation.
To put everything in context, I used to work for one of those sleepy buyside firms, where people would fellate Schweser if they could. But I always thought it was funny, because most of the new hires who got the top investment-side jobs all came from a big sell side firm- sans the CFA...
Doesn't show anything if you're recruiting for an analyst position, except for interest (i.e. if you have a non-business major at your undergrad). If you're recruiting for an associate position, the less-formal BB and MM and Elite-boutique banks might look at it as an alternative to MBA. But you need to have completed it to count like that.
It's pretty good for IM and hedge funds, though. Level 2 especially gets more math stat-heavy.
I totally agree with non-target, a CFA designation shows your interests and dedication in the field as well as the drive to improve and learn constantly.
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