CFA® or CAIA

So I've seen similar discussions started but responses have been diluted by a number of other certifications and degrees thrown into the mix. My current employer sponsors (Picks up the expenses) for the CFA® 
and CAIA.

My role now is more heavily focused on performance analysis and asset re-allocation recommendations, but the position can grow into a more Investment management/Investment Manager Research/Equity Research type role; OR into a consulting role.

Knowing this; which should I pursue and why?

Thanks in advance.

2 Comments
 
Best Response

CFA is still the most marketable one to have, especially if you want to do consulting or traditional public market investment research. The curriculum is heavily focused on traditional investment research, portfolio management and public markets which go hand in hand with the roles you mentioned. Plus if you are presenting to clients CFA is still the more recognized degree. If you end up doing a lot of private equity, real estate and hedge fund manager research a CAIA may make more sense and I think with the way funds are getting more into alternatives, it might warrant you get both anyway. Anecdotally, I think the most popular designations are as follows: CFA only/CFA+CAIA/CAIA only. So my thought is start with CFA as it's the more challenging one too, then see if it warrants getting CAIA.

 

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