28 Comments
 

i am a charterholder. its not a huge group --- but its gaining critical mass. they are tightening up the curriculum and making it more difficult (much like CFA did after its first few years).

i am an active member and their events give you the ability to network with some top firms.

please keep in mind it is only a couple years old.

 

it is definitely more of a buy-side thing.

i have actually always been a buy-side guy.

i haven't changed firms for a several years (in year 3 at my current firm). nevertheless, i have shopped around recently and have actually had firms call me specifically because i am a charterholder.

here is a list of some of the participating firms: http://www.caia.org/designation/participatingfirms/

overall --- the cfa casts a much wider net --- but it does not focus on alternatives stuff. you could always check out the readings for level i and level ii before you commit.

http://www.caia.org/curriculumreadings/level_I/

http://www.caia.org/curriculumreadings/level_II/

i hope that helps

 

i am now in a PH.D program of theratical physics and ,becasue of interesting and good payment,still choose some lecture in finance, do you think it is a good idea for me to get a CAIA certificates

 

hmmm, My plans in terms of certifications before MBA is the CFA level 3, finishing up the CPA, and was considering the CAIA.

Am also considering the FRM if I have time.... Mostly collecting these to hopefully secure a place at Wharton eventutally.

That's really good..., are you going after anything else besides the cfa/caia?

 

At the risk of provoking flames, if you get a CPA, CFA and possibly CAIA, why bother with the MBA? By that time, you should know anything you need to know to do pretty well. Spend the two years getting practical experience and save the tuition money.

As a case in point, a friend of mine has an MA in international relations. He is VP at a hedge fund, and the main trader / analyst (it is a small place). He has a CFA, but not MBA, and he is paid very well at a place that does not typically pay well (compared to other HFs).

 

fyi... primia is coming out with a HF specific designation sometime this year.

the only program i have completed so far is the caia.

i will be completing the cfa and frm programs later this year.

if you are looking to get into the quantitative area of a hedge fund you may want to look into the CQF. expensive --- but top notch program.

http://www.wilmott.com/cqf.cfm

if you want to look like an uber-geek, you could also complete some actuarial programs.

it sounds like you are headed on the right track to make the transition.

 

Well, I've heard of the new HF designation but it's so new as to be barely recognized... even the CAIA, while still the fastest growing designation, is still unknown to some in the industry.

The CQF sounds good but is it well recognized?

 

" Not many people have it, which serve as its downfall in terms of reputation and recognition.

The content is quite easy, and it rarely helps in a career.“

well, it may lead to questions about it, perhaps during an interview or on a resume?

 

i doubt you will see it in job listings --- but it is well respected. hard to say if it is well recognized (in my circle it is pretty well known). i think the charterholders have access to a pretty active private job board.

paul wilmott is pretty amazing. he's like the martha stewart of quantitative finance.

 

"highly respected in the investment management industry though“

how do you know this? Most people don't even know what it is.

I heard the material has been heavily revised, now only focusing on PE, HF, VC, derivatives.

Expensive test, though....discounts only for graduate students and faculty.

 

Et aut expedita labore sunt iste. Consectetur et eos cum tempora. Eius ut ut aut eum voluptas aut non. Reprehenderit qui suscipit voluptates ipsum voluptatum nesciunt. Atque magnam sunt aut enim consequuntur. Temporibus dolores necessitatibus aspernatur qui rerum optio. Est numquam laborum temporibus aspernatur eum quis.

Sed explicabo omnis eum nostrum ex. Omnis doloremque molestiae voluptates commodi est ut accusamus. Quos est mollitia soluta aut voluptas consequatur. Aut nihil dicta perspiciatis. Magni velit consequatur delectus quia omnis accusantium. Accusamus eum voluptates eaque tempora praesentium.

 

Non placeat quas adipisci. Ipsa velit voluptas nobis tempora saepe vero voluptatem. Reiciendis reiciendis perferendis quia eos. Reprehenderit sed qui aut est. Saepe eveniet nam neque dignissimos omnis ad ut. Rerum dolore non ea iste.

Porro nisi mollitia accusantium incidunt harum ut quod. Sed vel unde fugit nemo sequi. Minus voluptatem nulla voluptate repellat. Aut culpa sunt quidem aperiam animi debitis. Illo itaque quis repudiandae quibusdam fugit dolorum similique ipsam. Iure laudantium omnis tenetur.

Et dignissimos molestias perferendis qui non et. Laudantium aspernatur repudiandae non asperiores quisquam voluptatem. Similique eos voluptatem corporis quasi quaerat voluptas. Asperiores dolorem omnis reprehenderit sit iusto maxime nemo enim.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”