CFA for AM and HF: is it worth it?

so, it's been a year since i wrote down my impressions on the CFA (//www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/CFA-my-findings-plz-tell-me-if-i-got-thi…). i am now in the middle of a MSF and i am realistically evaluating my career paths (done that before but i now i need to be concrete).

my goal is to be in AM and eventually in HF in the long run (classic L/S equity).

i am very passionate about equity research, from a buyside perspective, and i am doing everything i can to get a hold of all the skills i need to produce numbers and reports which make sense.

so, do you think the boost in the CV and the added knowledge (suppose some overlap) are worth the time given my objectives?

thank you very much for your time

 

Minimum of 2 years for the exams plus the additional working time to get the charter.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

Definitely worth getting. Dude you're going to hear the same thing every time. It's definitely worth it but just because you get it doesn't mean you have a leg-up on someone else. Every persons situation is different.

 

A lot of people have it, and it won't be the thing that gets you a job, but it could potentially be on a manager's checklist of things that won't get you a job if you don't have it, you never know.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Almost all of the postings I look at for experienced HF analysts jobs (via headhunters, websites, what have you) at least strongly prefer CFA or MBA. They don't replace work experience, though, and most of these places ALSO require 2+ years of previous buyside experience. Entry-level job postings (for example the one that I applied to for my current job) often emphasize top undergrad/strong GPA and top banking/consulting experience instead.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 

Fugit mollitia aut non error. Qui tempore nostrum aspernatur architecto maxime voluptatem. Consequatur dolor accusantium aut nostrum fugit.

Nobis esse assumenda maiores facilis. Iusto quos eos totam esse quia sit. Odit et vitae officia aperiam iste minima vel facilis. Officiis et in qui nesciunt hic excepturi. Temporibus sed eos repellat omnis amet.

Sed quis non suscipit repudiandae est corporis rerum. Voluptatem eaque praesentium enim maxime. Quod quae ut aliquid eligendi natus porro.

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis, you can't trust people Jeremy

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”