What are the pros and cons of a CFA (finance)?
What's your personal experience with thіs degree?
Apr 21, 2023
Career Resources
Career Advancement Opportunities
September 2026 Investment Banking
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Evercore 01 99.5%
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Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
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JPMorgan 01 98.4%
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Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
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Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%
Overall Employee Satisfaction
September 2026 Investment Banking
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Moelis & Company No 99.5%
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Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
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Evercore 01 98.4%
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Banco Santander 02 97.8%
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BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%
Professional Growth Opportunities
September 2026 Investment Banking
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Evercore 01 99.5%
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Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
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Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
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Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
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JPMorgan No 97.3%
Total Avg Compensation
September 2026 Investment Banking
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Vice President (16) $429
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Associates (51) $260
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3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
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2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
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Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
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1st Year Analyst (84) $151
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Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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 | |
99.2 |
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99.0 |
| 3 | |
99.0 |
| 4 | |
99.0 |
| 5 |  |
98.9 |
| 6 | |
98.9 |
| 7 |  |
98.9 |
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98.9 |
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98.9 |
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98.8 |
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship
“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”
Speaking from personal experience:
Pro: passing CFA Level I is the reason I broke into TAS, which in turn helped me break into IB.
Con: this is super rare and not a recommended path. If I had to start over I would’ve just got better grades in college and used the time to network.
Takeaway: the CFA is useful for certain roles but not direct to IB or buy side, which is what most of us on this site want.
When choosing a CFA it's important to look for someone who has experience and expertise in the areas of personal finance that are most relevant to your needs. CFAs may specialize in areas such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, and estate planning.
You may also want to consider factors such as communication style, fee structure, and the level of service provided. Some CFAs may offer comprehensive financial planning services, while others may focus on specific areas of expertise.
It's important to choose a CFA who you feel comfortable working with and who communicates clearly and regularly about your financial plan and investment portfolio. You may want to ask for references or read reviews from other clients to help you make an informed decision.
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