Too old for CFA?

CFA General
#1

Dear All,

I’m new to the site and glad I found this community.

I have recently started looking at the CFA designation; my ultimate goal with this post is to get some feedback regarding if this designation is right for me.

A bit about my background:

Age: 36

MBA: yes from local state school

Work Experience: 7 years IB operations covering all assets classes.

I’m reaching a pivotal point in my career and I have to figure out what to do next. Option #1: Stay within my current role which will ultimately lead to management. I like management; I have managed small groups in the past and done well.

Option #2: Obtain the CFA and look for other opportunities with ultimate goal to become a PM.

On of my concerns is my age. By the time I finish all 3 exams I will be nearly 40 years old, should this be a concern? I’m not sure how employers will feel about the age factor. If anyone has been in a similar position your insight will be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

#2

http://www.analystforum.com/forums/water-cooler/91282165

worry about the hours, not your age.

#3

I’m not in asset management, but I have to think you would need to take a sizeable pay cut to pay your dues in the industry. Are you willing/able to do that?

#4

I passed level III at age 38. If you finish at 40, you might have another 30+ years of work. I think you are probably trying to make excuses not to do this, which is understandable b/c it’s a beast.

#5

age matters

#6

Has it added value to your career at that age?

#7

pursue the cfa if ur interested in the material and don’t expect anything from it.

#8

Being older than 35 I wouldn´t consider the CFA designation as a big catalyst for a job change. I started studying at 36 when it was foreseeable to get a job as PM in our AM.

But it sure is manageable, even with family and fulltime job. I received the Charter four months before my 40th birthday.

#9

Are you able to expand on this a bit, how does it matter?

#10

I am 50 and taking Level III this June. Yes, it is odd to have everyone look at you like “why are you here?” on test day but I have really enjoyed the whole process. I have an MBA from a top 5 school but the CFA gives you so much more insight and detail into the topics you need to be in investments. Two years ago when I just started helping out a firm on a very part time basis, the CFA program was suggested to me. It sounded very interesting and a good way to refresh my skills but had no idea what I was getting myself into. It has been much more beneficial than I ever thought it would be but also much more work than I ever thought it would be. So you really have to be ready to commit to it if you are going to do it. And being done by 40 is a lot better than being done by 50!

#11

I have a small role in asset management at a family office, but mostly do tax and other financial planning there. I didn’t change jobs, but my employer did give me a larger raise than others to make it more difficult to leave (6% vs everyone else got 3%). Boss told me straight up it was becuase I completed CFA and they didn’t want me to leave.

#12

I got my charter at 40 (well . . . technically at 41 . . . they mailed it after my birthday); just study and pass the exams.

#13

You should take the exam and I believe you will pass. Compare with my condition, I am 36 not only have no related working experience in investment industry but also limited english proficiency. Just don’t expect too much that CFA designation will take you to get your dream job, you will be dissapointed.

If you are residing in emerging country and not working in investment industry, the older you are the less CFA designation have impact on your career.

#14

Age doesn’t matter.

Looks like an average of 40 before you earn the charter.

So an average of 20 years of being top sauce ain’t bad.

#15

What would you be doing with your time otherwise? If you enjoy the material, enjoy the challenge and the value of your free time isn’t at a premium then absolutely do it.

I obtained the charter at 40yo.

#16

Age: 36

CFA L2 candidate

Reading all your comments, I don’t feel that bad anymore :wink:

#17

Is 40 too old?

As Henry Ford once said, whether you believe it is or believe it’s not, either way you are right.

#18

I’m also a 36 year old L2 candidate and my age has been on my mind a lot lately. I’m an economist, so I’m working in a related field, but like every industry, direct experience seems to be a big deal in the finance world. I’m not willing to take a pay cut at this point but I do see opportunities out there so you just have to be more strategic (and realistic) in your job search.

One thing to ask yourself is whether or not you want to make the career change bad enough to justify the time investment. If you already have an MBA and see good growth in your current role, it might make more sense to stay put. Maybe do some networking with your local CFA society and get their input to see what your options might be.

In general, age isn’t a problem if you add value to the organizations you’re trying to work for so if you focus on what will make you the most attractive candidate for the people you want to impress, you’ll be in good shape.

Good luck!

#19

I would add that it’s very important to know how to apply your knowledge it in real life. Student of the markets is the neverending journey!

#20

You’re never too old the way I see it. It all depends on what you want from it. Academic achievement? Job opportunity or career change? Industry credibilty? Or maybe a simple pursuit of knowledge. I’ve been in private client portfolio and wealth management for 15 years already, but I see the knowledge I can gain as I pursue the charter as a way to expand upon my ability to provide a quality and valuable service to my clients.

I’ll be 43 when I sit for the L2 exam in June, and I could be 45 or older when I ultimately earn my charter. No matter. I’ll probably be doing this in one form or another for 20 more years (or more if I’m still enjoying it).