Does cfa matter?
Some say yes some say no. I think roi on mba / cfa declining over time but curious on latest views. Especially if you already have industry experience
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CFA up MBA down. Only MBA from top 5 could be better than CFA. CFA is considered self study version of MBA which is difficult. Take CFA and focus on networking in other areas (like the CFA society), and you have a WAY cheaper version of MBA that you can work on during your own time.
Agree with above - CFA is useful if you are in public markets or in an emerging market and want to distinguish yourself without the opportunity cost of $250k and 2 years.
In the end nothing beats networking, and if you have CFA and if that allows you to network easier, then it is worth it in the long run. MBA achieves a similar role but has a higher price tag of course.
Above gets thrown out of the window if you are in US/UK IB/PE.
CFA is declining but still matters. Not like AM as an industry....sure it is in secular decline but it still matters a ton in terms of being able to squeeze out a few decades of runway as a career path (ex AI)
I still see a TON of postings in AM asking for CFA or MBA required, and many more saying they prefer it...which means you'll be coming up against candidates that have it and they'll have a slight edge every time
MBA just not worth it for LO AM given the cost IMO. For anything else, M7 MBA is definitely a superior value-for-money over CFA
Don't most firms sponsor the CFA costs?
MBA is 100% worth it for LO AM since many of the top funds basically exclusively recruit analysts out of those programs. CFA does not replace that; many have both.
CFA is not mandatory, but gives you an edge. I’ve been in AM for close to a decade and don’t have it. Majoring in something relevant with a high GPA is really all you need. All shops respect the charter and some are culty about it. Reality is you learn a lot in the industry and a finance major who knows their shit can make it. That being said it will never hurt to have it. In general, I think an MBA offers more general value, aka, I have met many more wealthy people with an MBA than CFA. Also there are plenty of MBA’s in asset management. School ‘quality’ obviously helps but also not required (assuming good experience and best school given the circumstances).
Personally, for most entry level analyst positions I’d rather see data skills with a high gpa in finance or Econ than a charter. Think in terms of advanced excel, sql, python, etc. A 3.5 or higher gpa means you can likely relearn anything we do quickly or understand a new concept with limited instruction. Basically, be smart not stupid. Keep in mind, that is my personal perspective, not industry’s.
If you have a low gpa or are a non-finance/econ major, then CFA may help get you in an interview. From there it’s up to you. Experience is the largest hole all employers want filled. With it comes skill and knowledge. In all cases, prayer only increases your odds.
Is it a good idea to take a double major in finance and econometrics? i consider this a combination of quatitative skills and theoritical knowledges.
I am quite sure i could get a 4.0 GPA for this combination. It interests me and i'm good at it!
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