CFA certification (Charter Financial Analyst)

[-SD-]

If any of you guys know if going through the trouble of getting this certification is worth it, let me know. And if it is, whats the best/easiest way. Thanks robs

 

[2ez]

Fellaz that i know have taken this and were the most successful at it....took it right after going for their MBA.

I don't know anyone with a CFA cert, that is making under $200k ..as long as you have a few years experience under your belt. Most are in VC or Investment advisory.


I would highly suggest sitting for the 3 exams, but make sure you take em in a timely manner.


Just a quick FYI....I lived in Philly and now working in NY.




Can I ask what are you plans / goals ? ?

 

[sawastea]

CFA's are DEFINITELY worth it. I'm in the industry and will pursue it in the near future. I have about 30 books/tests with me to prep.

 

[-SD-]

Fellaz that i know have taken this and were the most successful at it....took it right after going for their MBA.

I don't know anyone with a CFA cert, that is making under $200k ..as long as you have a few years experience under your belt. Most are in VC or Investment advisory.


I would highly suggest sitting for the 3 exams, but make sure you take em in a timely manner.


Just a quick FYI....I lived in Philly and now working in NY.
Can I ask what are you plans / goals ? ?

Financial analyst, perhaps do analysis for firms that do mergers/acquisitions. I will not be getting an MBA so I wanted to add more credentials with something like a CFA.

 

[Razorguns]

CFA is cheaper than MBA and worth more.

Follow it up with industry experience, organizations, authoring, leadership, editing, volunteerism -- all that cool extra shit you can then put on resumes.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

You might as well hook up a car battery to your nipples.

Just my opinion, it is 100% worthless, even less valuable than an MBA...$200k / yr is not worth getting out of bed for and I have never ever ever seen an original idea derive from a CFA holder.

That's why they're in VC - they're "vicariously capable" and need you to bring them the idea.

 

[-SD-]

You might as well hook up a car battery to your nipples.

Just my opinion, it is 100% worthless, even less valuable than an MBA...$200k / yr is not worth getting out of bed for and I have never ever ever seen an original idea derive from a CFA holder.

That's why they're in VC - they're "vicariously capable" and need you to bring them the idea.

$200k to folks like you might not be much, but to me and many others it is definetely worth getting out of bed for. I know you are knowledgable in the business world but lets have some perspective for what Im going for here.

 

[Dial_tone]

You might as well hook up a car battery to your nipples.

Just my opinion, it is 100% worthless, even less valuable than an MBA...$200k / yr is not worth getting out of bed for......

Speak for yourself. I get out of bed for not much better than 25% of that. If I start sleeping in will you pay my rent? I don't look good in heels but I will shave my legs.

 

[jackangel]

i'm not sure anything's worth getting out of bed for.

but i usually do it...for ~35 grand. at least i'm happy.

oh wait.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

$200k to folks like you might not be much, but to me and many others it is definetely worth getting out of bed for. I know you are knowledgable in the business world but lets have some perspective for what Im going for here.

Bor, for real, it is the death of creativity and the rise of bureuacracy as financial "professionals" try to insulate themselves and raise barriers to entry that need not exist.

It's just a superficial barrier that proves nothing. It's like an IT certification, and the rush of people to get it will only devalue it.

That's just reality. Put your hard work and time into the accrual of knowledge and work, and you will do even better.

 

[Razorguns]

Speak for yourself. I get out of bed for not much better than 25% of that. If I start sleeping in will you pay my rent? I don't look good in heels but I will shave my legs.

I agree. Not one of MTSW's best lines. He should probably re-phrase. hehe

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

I agree. Not one of MTSW's best lines. He should probably re-phrase. hehe

OK, here is a try:

CFA always makes you a slave, because you're always reacting. I can't fight wth people on here over it; $200K is a good salary and few people earn that. That's because most people are (1) stupid (2) narrow minded and (3) slaves to the idea of making money without producing wealth.

If you take a little time to think it through, you could make $200K doing anything. The whole idea of business education is fraudulent, this is another post.

You either get this or you don't.

 

[-SD-]

Bor, for real, it is the death of creativity and the rise of bureuacracy as financial "professionals" try to insulate themselves and raise barriers to entry that need not exist.

It's just a superficial barrier that proves nothing. It's like an IT certification, and the rush of people to get it will only devalue it.

That's just reality. Put your hard work and time into the accrual of knowledge and work, and you will do even better.

If I obtain a CFA then I am at the same time accruing knowledge, no? Unless you are saying the knowledge gained is inherently useless. Getting a CFA can be done all while working in the industry ala part time MBAs, so no opportunity costs are minimized. If the vast majority of people who are CFA make no less than $200k then I wouldnt think it is devalued, at least not yet. Even if the actual knowledge gained form a CFA is useless, theres still that barrier that needs to be overcome one way or another, and since I dont plan on setting the financial world on fire with revolutionary ideas, I guess I will have to settle for the degree in finance and a CFA that both look good on a resume. And that $200k isnt half bad either.

 

[Dial_tone]

OK, here is a try:

CFA always makes you a slave, because you're always reacting. I can't fight wth people on here over it; $200K is a good salary and few people earn that. That's because most people are (1) stupid (2) narrow minded and (3) slaves to the idea of making money without producing wealth.

If you take a little time to think it through, you could make $200K doing anything. The whole idea of business education is fraudulent, this is another post.

You either get this or you don't.

I get it. I really do but while you're waxing poetic bills have to be paid. Unless you find someone willing to let you accrue knowledge without having experience or certification as you may have done it's just a pipe dream. Whereas getting that CFA and eeking by on $200K for 5-6 years puts one in a position to make the same choices you're making now.

 

[-SD-]

OK, here is a try:

CFA always makes you a slave, because you're always reacting. I can't fight wth people on here over it; $200K is a good salary and few people earn that. That's because most people are (1) stupid (2) narrow minded and (3) slaves to the idea of making money without producing wealth.

If you take a little time to think it through, you could make $200K doing anything. The whole idea of business education is fraudulent, this is another post.

You either get this or you don't.

Believe me, I understand what you are saying. My ultimate goals are accumulating investment properties, either single unit housing, duplexes, apartments, in order to produce wealth. But since I know properties do not just fall into peoples laps with %100 equity and free of charge, I have to have a monthly cash flow.
A good job = monthly cash flow until the accumulation of real estate is sufficient to provide enough income to live on.