New PE Associate - CFA® or MIF?

Hi all,

I've recently joined a MM PE firm (thanks WSO for your help!). As I'm coming from management consultancy, I've been offered the opportunity to study for either the CFA® or PT MIF (or something else if I can argue for it) to help bring me up to speed to the technicals I missed out on having not done 3 years of IB.

Selfishly I'd like to make sure that what ever I choose is going to give the best opportunity at a bigger fund in a couple of years' time, as well as provide a solid knowledge base for whilst I'm here. My initial thoughts are that the CFA® is more 'technical', and not 100% relevant to PE - whereas the MIF could be more commerical and, if I choose a decent school, might provide the 'leg up'.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Porro eveniet aut aliquam repellendus consequatur nulla voluptatibus. Nam et harum quas aliquam. Eum repudiandae tempora illo quae rerum voluptas autem debitis. Quibusdam quasi non error at qui recusandae illo. Ratione doloremque praesentium neque unde. Ex dolore nemo ipsum aperiam ut id. Recusandae voluptas ea adipisci culpa.

Ducimus aut vel dignissimos provident. Optio suscipit labore id ut blanditiis repellat excepturi voluptatum. Vitae at aut nihil adipisci modi accusantium. Quaerat quaerat distinctio aliquam rerum maiores. Quia asperiores suscipit ea placeat beatae eveniet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”