Would going down the path of CFA help with FI S&T?
Hi monkeys, I really just had that question in the title. I've been working on a corporate bond desk for the last 18 months and started to get curious if there's any value in having, or going down the path of getting, the CFA.
I'm interacting with a lot of bond PMs on a daily basis and it's been a mixed bag of some that have the charter and others that don't. But I'd definitely say that more have it than don't. I know we aren't doing quite as much of a deep dive on bonds since we are just trading corps on the secondary market. (My desk focuses primarily on just IG corps).
But wondering if there are any else out there that has also been in these shoes that could help shed some light. I'm happy to hear from traders as well as PMs. I'd love as much insight as you can give.
Thank you guys very much in advance for all your help.
In responding to this question, rather than being an expert who is giving advice, I am admitting that I am in a similar dilemma to you (I worked in Supply Chains and am switching back to Finance). And in this instance, I've chosen to start studying for the CFA. My rationale is as follows:
1) My Business Degree was good and I performed well. However, CFA sometimes teaches topics I may already know in better ways than my professors did. CFA is also a great way to attack advanced topics without having to get an MBA from a time management perspective. So my point is that the continual education aspect does keep one sharp whereas originally I saw it as a money grab based on prior knowledge.
2) MBAs are too expensive now. Not worth it. The degree needs to be scaled back to just being an academic research-based credential.
3) I feel the 2022+ changes to the CFA with the AI training give it more value.
4) Competition from other job seekers with CFAs has been a disciplining factor.
Not telling you what to do though. What I am saying is that I myself was skeptical and ended up seeing the value in starting to study for it.
Think it helps make you more marketable for buyside opportunities and shows some drive but that is about it. Do not think it makes you any better at any aspect of the job on either the buy or sell side.
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