CFA not in banking industry

Hello. My background is in Finance and Accounting. Although, I have a small background in Accounting. My long term goal is to work as a CFO. But I'd like to take the following path since I am currently in FP&A...I'm thinking Controller (I have no CPA though)...if I get CFA, parallel to that I'd like to go into Treasury and then eventually work in M&A. I'd like to sit for CFA since I like Finance more and read it pays better and I find it more interesting. But I don't work for an investment company. Is it applicable for any industry? Thanks!

15 Comments
 

cpa is way more valuable than CFA in general for a cfo. depends what company you want to be cfo for, but i'd go for cpa and controller or fp&a then strategy.

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
 

Ok. Thanks. What if I took a completely different route into risk management? CRO? What's a good process for that? There is the FRM exam?

 
"troy1"

Ok. Thanks. What if I took a completely different route into risk management? CRO? What's a good process for that? There is the FRM exam?

I'm not as familiar with that area.

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
 
Best Response
"guggroth93"

No legit shop would hire a CFO or Controller without a CPA, why would you invest 3+ years of studying for the CFA when you could just get a MS in Accounting and sit for CPA in a year and actually get closer to your goal

Controller, true. CFO, false. There are plenty of alternative routes ... from working your way up, to jumping from IB. You need to understand accounting, but you do not need to be at the level where you start second guessing your technical controller. I know many CFOs without a CPA.

Troy1 - you're in your 3rd year working in corporate finance. How are you performing? If you are doing well I would have imagined you'd be moving into a management position soon, which will speak more to your capabilities than any C*A designation, unless it's a specific prerequisite for you moving ahead in your current firm.

 

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