I'm gonna be 28 at the end of this June but I won't be ready for this year's exam. If i were to sit next year and pass all levels first shot (trust I know this is a difficult task) I would have completed all levels at age 31. Is 31 too old for the CFA to make a substantial difference in my career?
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I think the average age for CFA takers is 26-27. It also depends what sector you work at currently and where you want to move to. Best of luck! I'm sitting for my L1 this December
I started the CFA program at age 30 and can say that it had a significant impact on my career, however, my case is obviously not the norm. The issue is not so much how old you are but what you hope to achieve by passing the exams. No one can really give you prudent advice without knowing more about your background and goals.
Very True. I work in MO at a BB. Ideally I would like to step into ER at a smaller firm possibly a boutique....im also a licensed attorney.
Tell that to Munger or Buffett.
Ignoring their likely indifference to CFA's curriculum, they are still learning constantly and are each 85 plus.
So go for it if you think it will help your career, brah .
Age is still young.
Not too old in my view, there's plenty of people in their late 20's and early 30's in the CFA program. Hell, I've seen some people in their 40s-50s taking it (I often wonder why? but i'm sure they have a reason) It really depends what your goal is as others said. CFA on its own will likely not be enough to make a jump and I imagine that gets harder with age/experience level, but with the right approach (networking, investment interest, etc), it should still be possible.
Disclosure: L3 candidate, 26 years old (27 by the time I wake up from the post-test celebration)
I got my charter when I was 31 and it has helped my career. With your career goal of doing ER at a smaller firm, I can see the charter helping you get an interview at least. Should mention that at least from my experience (and that of the other charterholders I work with) the CFA is over-hyped in terms of difficulty and comprehensiveness of the material. Guessing many of the people doing the hiring at the ER firms will have their charter and may share my sentiment, so don't expect the charter alone to make up for any other deficiencies (poor work experience, low gpa). Not trying to imply that there are any, but just wanted to mention that. Good luck, for the money and time involved, the CFA is one of the best ways to improve your resume; it provides a great foundation in many different areas of finance.
Completed level 3 at 35. Helped me break in to finance.
Definitely not too late; now is a great time, especially if you don't have any kids or other things that will take away focus from studying.
Do you mind telling us what your MO current role is? For context, I passed all my exams in my late 20's and broke into ER a bit later in the game than normal. I truly believe that the CFA program helped me get to where I am today. Additionally, I know quite a few people who are your age or later that are taking the exams who work both in and outside of ER. Some of them have made the jump into ER after passing several exams and a lot of networking. Hope this helps!
Not too old. If really motivated I think you could get it done in 2 years. There's an every 6 mo option for L1 and L2 last I checked
just level 1
Wrong. Only level 1 is every 6 months. Its a year between 2 and 3.
I earned my charter at 33.
I feel like the CFA is worthless unless there is a specific and achievable career path or objective that follows it. Do you want to make a career switch into Asset Management or advisory work, it could help if you know the right people? Are you at a firm that makes a big deal about marketing CFAs? Could help you get a promotion there.
Otherwise fuck it. It does not teach you how to research stocks. Only researching stocks does that. It does not teach you how to manage a portfolio.
If you want to make a career transition the MBA is a faster and more effective route. Just have to make the investment.
You don't see the CFA being a valuable credential in AM?
Not beyond the examples I've given
Agree with above, definitely not too old.
Education in finance is an on-going thing, it isn't something as if once you get passed a certain age you are 'too old' to learn or undertake a new course.
I personally would go ahead and take it if you are able to, OP! Good luck!
Thank you for the thread. I am 29 and thought that I am too old also. Although I am considering the self learning way
One quick point I would make is that 5 months should be plenty of time to prepare for the L1 test in December. 2 hours a day for the ~150 days until that sitting should be enough to get you over the line.
I started taking the exams at 33 and earned the charter at well past 35, and have found it useful.
I just took level 3 and there was a guy in the level two section that was so old he may not live long enough to get the result back
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