28 Comments
 

i am a charterholder. its not a huge group --- but its gaining critical mass. they are tightening up the curriculum and making it more difficult (much like CFA did after its first few years).

i am an active member and their events give you the ability to network with some top firms.

please keep in mind it is only a couple years old.

 

it is definitely more of a buy-side thing.

i have actually always been a buy-side guy.

i haven't changed firms for a several years (in year 3 at my current firm). nevertheless, i have shopped around recently and have actually had firms call me specifically because i am a charterholder.

here is a list of some of the participating firms: http://www.caia.org/designation/participatingfirms/

overall --- the cfa casts a much wider net --- but it does not focus on alternatives stuff. you could always check out the readings for level i and level ii before you commit.

http://www.caia.org/curriculumreadings/level_I/

http://www.caia.org/curriculumreadings/level_II/

i hope that helps

 

i am now in a PH.D program of theratical physics and ,becasue of interesting and good payment,still choose some lecture in finance, do you think it is a good idea for me to get a CAIA certificates

 

hmmm, My plans in terms of certifications before MBA is the CFA level 3, finishing up the CPA, and was considering the CAIA.

Am also considering the FRM if I have time.... Mostly collecting these to hopefully secure a place at Wharton eventutally.

That's really good..., are you going after anything else besides the cfa/caia?

 

At the risk of provoking flames, if you get a CPA, CFA and possibly CAIA, why bother with the MBA? By that time, you should know anything you need to know to do pretty well. Spend the two years getting practical experience and save the tuition money.

As a case in point, a friend of mine has an MA in international relations. He is VP at a hedge fund, and the main trader / analyst (it is a small place). He has a CFA, but not MBA, and he is paid very well at a place that does not typically pay well (compared to other HFs).

 

fyi... primia is coming out with a HF specific designation sometime this year.

the only program i have completed so far is the caia.

i will be completing the cfa and frm programs later this year.

if you are looking to get into the quantitative area of a hedge fund you may want to look into the CQF. expensive --- but top notch program.

http://www.wilmott.com/cqf.cfm

if you want to look like an uber-geek, you could also complete some actuarial programs.

it sounds like you are headed on the right track to make the transition.

 

Well, I've heard of the new HF designation but it's so new as to be barely recognized... even the CAIA, while still the fastest growing designation, is still unknown to some in the industry.

The CQF sounds good but is it well recognized?

 

" Not many people have it, which serve as its downfall in terms of reputation and recognition.

The content is quite easy, and it rarely helps in a career.“

well, it may lead to questions about it, perhaps during an interview or on a resume?

 

i doubt you will see it in job listings --- but it is well respected. hard to say if it is well recognized (in my circle it is pretty well known). i think the charterholders have access to a pretty active private job board.

paul wilmott is pretty amazing. he's like the martha stewart of quantitative finance.

 

"highly respected in the investment management industry though“

how do you know this? Most people don't even know what it is.

I heard the material has been heavily revised, now only focusing on PE, HF, VC, derivatives.

Expensive test, though....discounts only for graduate students and faculty.

 

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