Not that I am a glutton for punishment, but now that I passed Level III, are there any other exams worth looking at? CAIA, FRM? Just curious but definately taking a reprieve from tests for a while - Thanks
FRM maybe but depends on what you do CAIA? no in my opinion
take actuarial exams and you will have fun for your lifetime 
travel_cfa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > take actuarial exams and you will have fun for > your lifetime Ha - the sick thing is I’ve actually been pondering this…
I’m gunning for a CPA, myself.
gonna do them all: CPA, CAIA, ChFC, CMT, CIMA must have all acronyms, they define my existence
I am taking the CAIA next month. More for myself than anything else as I believe a thorough understanding of alternaives is essential these days.
GMAT!
Now that I’m done…pondering GMAT, though I’m not sure I can afford B-school.
I’m not considering FRM, but the subject matter sounds interesting, im assuming its hedging techniques? How many tests is it and how hard are they? I MAY do the CPA, not necessarily to get the cert, but because 1) I’m an nerd who likes to study and 2) Id like to have more depth in the tax areas even if just for my personal use… But this is all big talk, when I still have L3 to get past…one thing at a time…
Possibly CQF! The material seems really interesting. I have even considered a PhD or JD.
LRSpartan: Just wondering how old are you ?
Richard X, FSA, EA, CFA, FRM, CAIA freaking eh… my colleague Richard has 'em all! he’s probably going to get his CPA next or something.
I find it strange that you were thinking of the CQF in a similar vein with a PhD or JD. These are vastly different in terms of commitment and effects on your lifestyle.
I agree with you actually. I am more geared towards PhD or JD route. I just have been interested in some of the material I have been reading on CQF, but my background would not match well.
browndt1 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > gonna do them all: CPA, CAIA, ChFC, CMT, CIMA > > must have all acronyms, they define my existence If you have passed L1 or L2 don’t bother with the CIMA you are way past that test, I’m not 100% sure but I think the CIMA is about = L1 of the CFA and it is taken in 2 parts. We can all say CFAI makes some $$ but in reality it is a deal look at the CIMA it is 20% of the CFA and it is $6,000 to $8,000 CIMA Certification Program: Fee Schedule* The CIMA certification program offers a flexible, pay-as-you-go system that allows a candidate to budget accordingly and progress at his/her own pace. The cost for certification can range anywhere from approximately $6,000 to more than $8,000, depending on a candidate’s preferences. Prices are subject to change and details regarding current fees are outlined below: Why the ChFC are you in retail / insurance ? CFA trumps them all if you are in retail get the CFA and the CFP. CFA because it is the “Gold Std” and the “CFP” because that is what the retail idiot clients look for. This may sound crazy but I had a prospect tell me that the CFP was the ultimate and that he would not consider me because I did not have the CFP. I basically had to hold the guy down and read him the study of CFA vs the CFP. It all depends who you are studying for: Clients, peers, or yourself. If you can get out of retail !!
Richard X, FSA, EA, CFA, FRM, CAIA sorry, but behind the anonymity of the internet i’m going to call that guy loser… …or maybe a sadist. Needs to feel the stress of examinations and tension of results releasing to give him the pleasure of feeling alive or living.
I passed both levels of the CAIA the same year I took level 2 of the CFA (2009). I have taken the GMAT. And am currently in b-school. I am done with standardized test after these 2 years…
I have the CIMA (my director requested I take it for some unknown reason) and I echo the earlier comments. Too expensive and really easy. If some company is willing to pay for it and you need some letters after your name go for it. It is about 1/10 as hard as level I. I studied 4 weeks for level I of the CIMA and just read the books for level II and that may have been overkill. If you are in the business and passed Level I and II you are golden.
LRspartan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Possibly CQF! The material seems really > interesting. I have even considered a PhD or JD. I looked into the CQF recently. It’s like $20k for what seems like a 6 month “seminar”! I looked on Amazon, and what looks to be one of the main teachers of the CQF material (Paul Wilmott) has a nice 3 volume set of books “Paul Wilmott on Quantitative Finance” for $200. I might pick up that. I’m sure you’d learn just as much (?) reading the 3 volumes cover to cover as you would in the class. You just wouldn’t be “certified”. I got my CFA a few years back and would like to hone my quant skills, so I’d rather pay $200 vs $20,000. Even though my firm would pay for the CQF, I couldn’t justify that amount of money. Unless I’m missing something…