Hi, I’m at a non-target, and I know that pedigree is important for many jobs in finance, such as investment banking or things like that, and I was wondering how important is it for CFAs? Also, aside from just Portfolio Management or Equity Research, are there any other areas that a CFA comes handy? For example, does it help for corporate finance (as in being a financial analyst at a F500), commercial banking, financial planning, etc.?
Are you really 19?
This place is turning into a mini-WSO. That being said. I think your question is better answered by rearranging your original question. How important is the CFA designation for Investment Banking and things like that. From the sound of your post it looks like you are a rising senior or about to graduate senior who wants to be a banker but you’re from a non-target and have no real clear path on attaining that goal. I just finished skimming through the Vault guide for finance interviews and found that my L! studies covered everything in the guide and in much more depth. I solidy believe that if you plan on staying in finance, not making a quick million and jumping ship to become a photographer, that at least studying the CFA cirriculum is worth it’s weight in gold. A lot of the problems we had in this past crisis was due to over-confident and under-learned people. The CFA not only teaches you how to do analysis but it also teaches you the driving force BEHIND that analysis which is what so many people on the street (at least in my perception) are lacking. In any case, getting the charter CANNOT hurt you, if anything you just have three letters at the end of your name and people think you’re some kind of glorified Financial Advisor.
lakerfan83090 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- For example, does it help for > corporate finance (as in being a financial analyst > at a F500), commercial banking, financial > planning, etc.? From a knowledge perspective, yes, it will help you. The degree to which it helps depends on your specific role, however. From the standpoint of your boss giving you a raise just because you have CFA behind your name, it will likely not help you. I used to work in corp fin and most people I worked with/for didn’t know the CFA from their a$$. With regard to IB, it does help, though not to the degree that it does in ER or PM. While it might not have the same importance as a top 10 MBA, it does have relevance to a career in IB, PE, etc.
It only helps getting in the door, just like your school. Once you get in the door ER/IB/Buyside, no one will care what your credentials are as long as you perform. Even if people don’t know what it is and even if you never pass level one studying the material should be beneficial.