Comments on: Answer a reader’s question: Need advice on CFA

By: Bhuvaneshwer Prasad

Bhuvaneshwer Prasad — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:41:13 +0000

hi,

i am an PGDM in finance graduates and having 3 yr exp in sales of financial services industry. but now want to change my domain to research. therefore i thought of CFA. someone can help me to analyse the options. my questions are.
1. Does MBA graduates have advantage in pursuing CFA.
2. In opportunities wise MBA + CFA will have more advantage
3. how long it can take to complete CFA (US).
4. and any exemptions in CFA for MBA graduates

By: rustamkhan

rustamkhan — Sun, 09 May 2010 06:20:32 +0000

hey guys, I just want to tell u that there is a gr8 website which is www[dot]crazyfa[dot]com which can help you alot in your CFA preparation. go have a look

By: Smac20

Smac20 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:32:21 +0000

If you just want to be a business analyst you do not need an MBA or CFA. My company focuses on hiring people with a tech background even thought our business is Commercial Real Estate Appraisal. Take a look at government positions as they are becoming competitive with the private sector.

By: Nanci

Nanci — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:10:45 +0000

Unless I have misunderstood, you are thinking that an IT guy with an MBA would be good for a future career but are not sure if an IT guy with a CFA would have the same potential. I think you might want to take some time to think about this one. It is important to decide where you want to go from here and not necessarily where you have been (ie: IT). When I did my CFA I had never even been to University and had worked administration for over a decade. I knew I wanted a career in Investment and/or Portfolio Management and so I chose the program/designation that I felt would bring me closer to where I wanted to be (as opposed to where I had already been).

Regardless of whether you choose MBA or CFA, you will need to be passionate and committed to the course material otherwise it will be difficult to pass and continue with the either program. Especially with family and financial considerations. My best advice to you would be to study the course material for each program carefully – whichever gets you more excited and chomping at the bit to study would be the one to go for. Only this passion will sustain you (I agree with Intelligent Speculator; those last weeks before the exam are brutal) And don’t forget that after you pass, you have to work the same material for years. So choose wisely!

I wish you much luck. And whichever you choose, a background in IT can only support your decision. (IT rocks!)

By: Rohit

Rohit — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:56:11 +0000

Hi,

Thank you so much for answering my query! I guess it was more directed towards an IT guy doing a CFA. I do understand the benefits of an MBA and is definetly something any guy in my position would do but considering my line of work and the chances of MBA almost null, would CFA still help me? Is it worth in any ways?

Many thanks