Should I do CFA or not
Hey everyone,
I’m currently building my path toward investment banking/private equity and would genuinely appreciate some guidance from people already in the industry.
Background:
- Currently working at a boutique investment bank in India
- Starting my MBA journey soon (online)
- Completed a few finance/investment banking certifications
- Improving my skills in financial modeling, valuation, research, and networking
- Exploring whether pursuing CFA alongside this path would be strategically worth it
My long-term goal is to break into high finance, ideally investment banking first and later possibly private equity or wealth management.
A few things I’d love advice on:
1. Is CFA actually valuable for breaking into IB/PE today, or would that time be better spent elsewhere?
2. What skills/projects make the biggest difference for candidates without top-tier backgrounds?
3. Any recommendations for virtual networking events, communities, competitions, or internships that helped you personally?
4. If you could restart your finance career in 2026, what would you focus on first?
Would genuinely appreciate honest advice and perspectives from people already in the field. Thanks in advance.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
CFA for Breaking into IB/PE:
The CFA is generally not considered very useful for investment banking or private equity. Most professionals in these fields don't pursue it, as the skills and knowledge it provides are not directly applicable to the day-to-day work in IB/PE. Instead, your time would be better spent on networking, maintaining a high GPA during your MBA, and honing your financial modeling and valuation skills. However, if you plan to pivot into asset management, equity research, or other areas like corporate development or restructuring, the CFA could hold more value.
Skills/Projects for Non-Traditional Backgrounds:
Virtual Networking and Opportunities:
Restarting a Finance Career in 2026:
In summary, for your specific goals of breaking into IB/PE, the CFA is not a necessity and your time would be better spent on networking, technical skill-building, and crafting a compelling career narrative.
Sources: Is CFA® necessary for investment banking ?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/then-and-now-compbanker?customgpt=1, THEN and NOW: @CompBanker
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