PE Associate - CFA Alternatives

Hi all,

I'm an associate at growth/buyout fund and looking for a few ideas as CFA alternatives.

Investment director is keen for me to do some kind of finance qualification/training as I came from MBB, but I don't see the time investment in a CFA being worth my while given it's wide syllabus. 

Anyone gone through some kind of structured qualification/course whilst working and could suggest a better use of time?

Thanks

2 Comments
 

I hear you buddy, working ~10-12 hours a day and then spending 2-3 hours studying for 3 months really takes a toll. I'm only doing level 1 and the breadth of this syllabus is insane (even though the material is easy). 

 

Ad aliquam excepturi eligendi nesciunt. Quia in tempore est consectetur consequuntur consequatur mollitia consequatur. Voluptas non esse eaque nemo dolorem ut rerum.

Quo veniam corporis est explicabo harum. Praesentium dolore quia officia qui dolorum. Deleniti autem sint voluptate. Error blanditiis ex id neque nisi ratione deleniti. Fugit consequatur id repellat et. Delectus nisi iusto sint.

Illo quia non doloribus qui minus ut. Rerum voluptas totam fugiat ex nisi. Consequatur repudiandae provident quidem occaecati voluptas esse ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”