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June 30, 2026
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Rather than try to find a company that will hire someone without a CFA, if you are heading down that path any anyway, why not just suck it up and take the exams?
Yes
Hopefully this simple answer is as useless to you as your lack of detail in your question.
My speculation is. In coming few years, the degree of competitiveness in getting into finance industry is going to get even challenging. I am guessing CFA will be the minimum as MBA or any other professional qualification.
These days in the advanced economies everyone has a degree. So if you have time to complete CFA or you haven't cross the age limit. I don't think adding CFA will work at disadvantage.
possible, yes but just suck it up and study for it
Dude. Don't do it. It's a beautiful day in London, which is rare, there's rugby on all day and all I want to do is chill with my mates getting pissed. Instead, I'm in the office creating IPSs for Jack and Jill. Hateful.
Every portfolio manager (or aspiring PM) should strive to earn a CFA because it will help make you a more knowledgeable PM. It doesn't guarantee a job, nor does a lack of one preclude you from being a PM (though becoming one is more difficult these days w/out having completed one or more levels of the CFA). Additionally, a CFA doesn't replace solid experience either as a research analyst or Associate/Assistant PM.
There's an article on the nerd notes guides website about this: "Who gets the CFA® designation and why should I get it?"
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