CFA®, my findings... Plz tell me if i got this right!

So i am about to start a master in QFinance & Risk Mng (coming from a Bc in statistics) and i was looking to start studying for the CFA®. still be4 investing 1k hours (really it'll be less so because i've already covered part of the programs at university), i'd like some1 to check what i found about this exam.

1) CFA® vs MBA: as for the finance world, CFA®>Mba unless the mba is from a prestigious university [top 15 programs]
2) CFA® is primarly structured for future equity analysts, corporate analysts but still it may be a requirement for high level Risk Mng positions [like VP and above]
3) CFA® < Phd finance
4) if you wanna become a trader, it's pretty useless
5) if you wanna become a quantitative investment analyst, it MIGHT give you an edge vs those Finance Phd holders if you have a quantitative background
6) it's good for junior/starters
7) it gives more weight to your CV
8) it's a requirement for mutual funds
9) it doesn't grant a pass to hedge funds (equity oriented)

So, am i reasonably right? any major misunderstanding?

8 Comments
 

imho CFA is not greater than an MBA

If you want to move up beyond the analyst level in your career an MBA generally becomes essential

Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication ~ Leonardo da Vinci
 

Dolores eos mollitia esse commodi rem sint laborum. Voluptatem aut odio vel voluptate consequatur rerum. Voluptas veniam ut et voluptatem in. Earum officia velit qui tempora placeat quas. Commodi et alias et temporibus sint suscipit quod numquam. Numquam nam ipsa cupiditate ea id consequatur in.

Omnis vel libero ut eligendi aut. Aut officiis et laudantium et at optio. Ipsa quam id omnis corrupti culpa.

Pariatur tempora ex quisquam deleniti doloremque et. Velit est corporis voluptates perferendis quis quis. Placeat qui eaque numquam sint.

Excepturi et et et fuga consequatur temporibus. Non vitae repudiandae est magni ea. Nobis distinctio aut ipsam earum. Id vitae aliquam voluptatem facere labore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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...”