Dilution of the CFA®?

As I'm seeing more and more of my colleagues and friends sit for the CFA®, I have to ask myself, is its value slowly being eroded every year?

Last year alone saw over 100,000 candidates sit for Level I. Granted only ~47% passed and an even smaller fraction will go on to actually receive their certification, but I still feel that the CFA® is almost becoming required in many jobs - particularly sell side research and a lot of real money buy side houses.

The CFA® still definitely adds a lot of value to your resume and shows a decent level of finance knowledge and a strong work ethic, but it seems like it's almost becoming too commonplace. Wondering if all this effort might not be worth much in 5-15 years.

Thoughts?

6 Comments
 

It could go either way. It could increase its credibility, recognition, network, and solidify it as the go to certificiation in finance for years to come (like the CPA for Accounting). Or it could be too diluted to give someone a leg up on the competition when applying for jobs. I am not sure which way it will go, but I will say that it never really was a golden ticket in the first place.

 
Best Response

Officia in voluptatem soluta ea tempora rem explicabo. Voluptas eligendi adipisci doloribus ex ullam mollitia. Ut sapiente voluptas soluta pariatur. Et exercitationem perferendis at sunt.

Delectus corporis distinctio deleniti quod sit possimus sed. Voluptas dignissimos aliquam iure consectetur error sunt dicta. Sint quidem non iure impedit enim ipsam incidunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”