What is a better idea:CFA or certificate course in financial analysis at a reputed university? pick one & why?

Question by rocky boy: What is a better idea:CFA or certificate course in financial analysis at a reputed university? pick one & why?

CFAI have an MBA from an OK university…I can spare money for only one of the options…I am looking to get into equity research and i do not have any experience in that field although i do have work experience as a financial analyst (budgeting,forecasting )but looking to switch careers
I have an MBA from an OK university…I can spare money for only one of the options….the certificate course i am looking at is from NYU…I am looking to get into equity research and i do not have any experience in that field although i do have work experience as a financial analyst (budgeting,forecasting )but looking to switch careers

Best answer:

Answer by Andrew S
Do you need either if you have an MBA? The CFA is mostly on fundamental/ratio analysis, valuation, modern portfolio theory, economics, etc – all the things an decent b-school should teach you.
I was going to take the Level 1 CFA exam but when I started studying it was all stuff I took in b-school.

Skip ’em both. Buy Benjamin Graham’s “Security Analysis, the 1940 Edition” and maybe one of the CFA/AIMR books on equity valuation. Read the Graham book cover to cover.

Also, if you want to get into equity research your best bet is most likely the career center at your b-school. My b-school isn’t in the top 50 but I still got interviews at DB, Bear, Manning-Napier, Cerberus, etc.
And I know about as many un- or underemployed CFA as I do MBA’s, who aren’t getting the job or jobs they want. I’d spend your time networking, networking w/ your school’s alumni, and calling up any connections you have in asset mgt or IB.
Also, try Doostang, Vault, The Ladders, and Glocap (all websites), the Ladders being your best bet. Normally online job apps are a waste but the above got me a few leads & interviews in IB & asset management.
Hope this helps – bon chance.

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Comments

  1. The CFA is a very valuable asset on your resume, of that there is not doubt! Your interest in the CFA would be an asset in this field as well. Its expensive (~$ 4000, overall), but definitely worth it. My only question is this: Are you presently in the finance industry? In order obtain your CFA, you will need to be in the finance industry for 3 years before being awarded the title. Now you can take the tests and still not being the finance industry, you just will need to find a job in that sector for three years before geting bestowed.
    If you haven’t started yet, check out
    http://www.keirsuccess.com
    They have an online course for the first exam of the series. I took them for the Series 7 & 66, and they were awesome. Their CFA course is good as well, I just wished they would have had more than the one.

    Hope this helped.

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