MAcc and CFA vs. MSF

Hello, I currently go to a non-target school and plan to get a Masters of Accountancy combined with a BS in Economics. My plan is pretty much set, my only question is, how do I stack up against someone that completed a Masters of Finance or an MBA? Should I look to pursue the CFA in addition to my MAcc to make myself a more competitive applicant? 

 

CFA doesn’t matter much in banking. It’s more important that you network well over anything else, especially if your school doesn’t have a strong recruiting pipeline. People use the CFA to show that they have an interest in finance. If you got internships at middle market boutique investment banks then you’d be much further along than someone who got their CFA but had no internship experience at an IB.

A top MSF program only sets you apart if they have a strong recruiting pipeline. There are plenty of MSF programs that wouldn’t fare as well as a top accounting program. 
 

In other words, spend your time networking and landing boutique IB internships - don’t waste it on the CFA.

 

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