[Anonymous]

I’m thinking of doing it. Who’s with me?????

Level 1 will be slayed in December 2013.

Per my research, Level 1 = 75% of total CPA exam. If that’s true, then it will be a breeze. (maybe a strong gust…but nowhere near a hurricane)

Level 2 is the beast I’m worried about.

We must escape public accounting!!!!!!!!!!

[gt5717b]

I already have a CFP and am close to finishing the CPA. I would be lying if finishing off the triumvirate hadn't crossed my mind.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[Anonymous]

The CFA is a huuuuge investment in terms of time and money. I know people who have passed the CPA with relative ease and failed the CFA multiple times. They say that CFA level I is like sitting for all 4 parts of the CPA at once, and level II and III are harder. Also, CFA does not repeat questions like CPA does so that makes the exam harder.

I think that people overvalue the need for a CFA. The only reason you really NEED a CFA is if you want to be a portfolio manager or an equity research associate at an investment bank. It obviously looks impressive on a resume, but other front office banking functions don't really care if you have a CFA. I personally think that an MBA is a much better route and gives you more options in the long run. And if you want to work in a support role (eg. accounting, treasury, product control, risk management), CPA is much more pertinent and valuable than a CFA.

Not trying to knock the CFA; it is definitely an impressive certification to have. But the reality is that it is not really necessary except for a few functions.

[Anonymous]

The CFA is a huuuuge investment in terms of time and money. I know people who have passed the CPA with relative ease and failed the CFA multiple times. They say that CFA level I is like sitting for all 4 parts of the CPA at once, and level II and III are harder. Also, CFA does not repeat questions like CPA does so that makes the exam harder.

I think that people overvalue the need for a CFA. The only reason you really NEED a CFA is if you want to be a portfolio manager or an equity research associate at an investment bank. It obviously looks impressive on a resume, but other front office banking functions don't really care if you have a CFA. I personally think that an MBA is a much better route and gives you more options in the long run. And if you want to work in a support role (eg. accounting, treasury, product control, risk management), CPA is much more pertinent and valuable than a CFA.

Not trying to knock the CFA; it is definitely an impressive certification to have. But the reality is that it is not really necessary except for a few functions.

[Anonymous]

@jasonrobbins: I am really depressed and pissed for not passing CFA level 1. But honestly, I think the exam questions were not hard.

On the exam date, I finished the afternoon exam in 2 hours and the morning exam in 2.5 hrs, so I probably did the questions way too fast.

Plus, from my experience, the mock exams were harder than the actual exam that I took.

[Anonymous]

@jasonrobbins: I am really depressed and pissed for not passing CFA level 1. But honestly, I think the exam questions were not hard.

On the exam date, I finished the afternoon exam in 2 hours and the morning exam in 2.5 hrs, so I probably did the questions way too fast.

Plus, from my experience, the mock exams were harder than the actual exam that I took.

[Anonymous]

I thought this would be a thread about whether or not to eat at Chick-Fil-A. If so I'd have offered a resounding “yes”. Since it's not, I haven't much else to say =/

[Anonymous]

I thought this would be a thread about whether or not to eat at Chick-Fil-A. If so I'd have offered a resounding “yes”. Since it's not, I haven't much else to say =/

[How many letters do you need]

I agree with most on here. People often make the mistake of thinking that the CFA is the Finance equivelant of the CPA, and in my opinion couldn't be further from the truth. While the CFA is certainly the most sexy finance certification, it is generally geared towards funds/investment management/trading and will have very little value (outside of it's sex appeal) in corporate finance with the exception of Treasury Management (where it would be huge value). The CPA, by comparison, although generally geared toward public accounting, has value in almost any corporate accounting function. I say unless you either want to be funds manager, or to head up a Corporate Treasury department one day, it really isn't worth the effort. The brand new FP&A certification? That's a different story…taking it in the first non beta window this August so Ill post an experience thread if any are interested…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I agree with most on here. People often make the mistake of thinking that the CFA is the Finance equivelant of the CPA, and in my opinion couldn't be further from the truth. While the CFA is certainly the most sexy finance certification, it is generally geared towards funds/investment management/trading and will have very little value (outside of it's sex appeal) in corporate finance with the exception of Treasury Management (where it would be huge value). The CPA, by comparison, although generally geared toward public accounting, has value in almost any corporate accounting function. I say unless you either want to be funds manager, or to head up a Corporate Treasury department one day, it really isn't worth the effort. The brand new FP&A certification? That's a different story…taking it in the first non beta window this August so Ill post an experience thread if any are interested…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[M.O.D.]

@ rookie

Kudos for trying 🙂

What is you plan now? Test again?

@ letters

Sure, I like the idea of learning what is out there, certification wise.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

@ rookie

Kudos for trying 🙂

What is you plan now? Test again?

@ letters

Sure, I like the idea of learning what is out there, certification wise.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Greenman72]

In response to JTS254:

To be technically correct, I have a BS in Spanish and a MS in Finance. I do not have a degree in Accounting.

Sometimes I say (on anonymous forums) that I have a BBA in accounting, because I have taken all the accounting classes that I need to get my BBA. However, I would have to take a fine art and an applied science (because some credits would be lost due to school transfers). And at my advanced age (34), I have neither the time nor desire to take “History of American Sign Language” or “Chemistry 102 – 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab”.

I apologize if I caused some confusion.

---

@Mayo – if you post on AnalystForum, let me know. I have the same screen name there.

[Greenman72]

In response to JTS254:

To be technically correct, I have a BS in Spanish and a MS in Finance. I do not have a degree in Accounting.

Sometimes I say (on anonymous forums) that I have a BBA in accounting, because I have taken all the accounting classes that I need to get my BBA. However, I would have to take a fine art and an applied science (because some credits would be lost due to school transfers). And at my advanced age (34), I have neither the time nor desire to take “History of American Sign Language” or “Chemistry 102 – 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab”.

I apologize if I caused some confusion.

---

 
CFA Review Test Bank

[Kls238]

Like others have said, outside of portfolio management positions, most accounting/finance positions specify “CPA or CFP preferred.” Not that a CFA credential wouldn't look fantastic on your résumé, it's more tailored for a specific job.

For what it's worth, a friend of mine is a successful investment banker at Jefferies in NYC. He has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon – no other credentials and not trying for any. He's making twice as much as a former college classmate who is a CFA and working in wealth management.

Passed all sections.

[Kls238]

Like others have said, outside of portfolio management positions, most accounting/finance positions specify “CPA or CFP preferred.” Not that a CFA credential wouldn't look fantastic on your résumé, it's more tailored for a specific job.

For what it's worth, a friend of mine is a successful investment banker at Jefferies in NYC. He has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon – no other credentials and not trying for any. He's making twice as much as a former college classmate who is a CFA and working in wealth management.

 
CFA Review Test Bank

Passed all sections.

[Author]

Replies