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- Topic: CFA vs MBA
| Author | Topic: CFA vs MBA |
|---|---|
| Krissy @2004-09-11 15:27:04 |
Does anybody know what would be the benefits of doing an MBA after the CFA? Is it really worthwhile? |
| gerry @2004-09-11 20:30:25 |
I'm actually doing a MBA and CFA at the same time. There is overlap in 50% of topics: quant, accounting, eco, finance, etc. But it all depends on what you want to specialize in. The MBA is more case oriented with a broader perspective. If you plan to stick to the investment industry, a CFA is probably sufficient. |
| Krissy @2004-09-15 10:14:43 |
Thanks for the info! At which University are you doing both the MBA and CFA at the same time? Because there are not many universities that offer that. I'll first start by doing the CFA for now and get some work experience, then I'll see... I think that I would want to stay in the investment industry, but I don't know for sure being that I have no experience. Were you able to get into the MBA program without any experience? |
| ditto @2005-10-01 09:10:36 |
i am chinese ,and i am doing my finance master degree and sign up CFA LEVEL I.MBA has a bad fame in my nation now. a lof of universities have MBA program,they just want money,and the quality is bad |
| Stoyan @2005-10-03 08:34:42 |
I strongly recommend doing MBA in Finance and taking CFA Level I later in your degree after passing few finance classes. That is how I did it. Once you have finance knowledge you need less time to study for CFA. |
| bjorgens @2005-10-03 11:58:34 |
I think that if you are planning on doing both, there is obvious overlap, so to avoid repetition I would think that one should not get an MBA in Finance and a CFA charter. Since the CFA program is heavily concentrated in finance, one would broaden their skill set and increase their personal equity by getting the finance discipline via CFA charter and getting an MBA in something else (Management?) to look good and enter the "MBA club". CFA breeds knowledge, MBA is just for show. IMHO |
| MixMan @2005-10-07 07:38:23 |
I too am doing the MBA at the same time as the CFA. I agree with Gerry that there is a huge amount of overlap in the finances and econ areas but disagree with those who downplay the MBA. The MBA offers you leadership and management skills that the CFA won't. What are your long term goals? I-Banking with an eye on moving up? Just moving up? Other? Those goals should tell you what to do. |
| awen @2005-10-18 10:08:42 |
As an engineer, CFA is totally new to me, but I still decide to take on it. I know I like it by heart. Thobile, I admire you for your courage to change your career too. But can anyone advise on how to start the career without any related experiences? What kind of first interview would be jumping from an engineer to a investment analyst? |
| anilr @2005-10-21 04:51:37 |
I have already completed my MBA (Finance) degree and agree completely with the fact that some aspects of the two degrees overlap. But only level 1 and some parts of level 2 overlap with any good MBA program. Level 3 is advanced finance which I dont is taught in any MBA program anywhere in the world. I personally feel it would be a good value addition for me as I do not see any other degree matching upto the standards of CFA |
| awen @2005-10-28 09:07:43 |
Thobile, thanks for sharing the experience. I am also thinking: are the recruiters looking for some specific personalities, which they believe is a key factor to succeed in investment business? Like, aggressiveness or conservativeness, creativities, etc. Since, the investment concepts themselves are not hard to master, for us, while the personalities are built in as we are born. I can do nothing about it. The point is, what kind of quality we need to secure a position in investment industry? We need to build this in a relatively short period of time. |
| Matt @2005-11-01 00:35:25 |
Two totally different things. An MBA provides a breadth of knowledge in courses other than those topics covered by the CFA. Grad school provides valuable experiences and skills beyond quantitative abilities. Two years of your life and a large sum of money is not somthing to be entered into lightly. It shows dedication to prospective employers. Many view it as a waste but I believe those are the people who don't have an MBA in the first place. If you are doing well in your career, on a fast track to Mgmt, and are not making a career change, perhaps an MBA is not for you. I would not have done it any differently and it was worth every cent. The payback in post-MBA salary is encouraging as well. The CFA provides additional professional credibility, just as a CPA does. It may open doors, improve abilities, or allow for advancement. It does not however show management training or teamwork experience as is a focus in grad school. I am obviously doing both, having completed my MBA recently. If you are struggling with this decision, perhaps you should contact a local CFA organization in your city (look on AIMR.org) and discuss the benefits with a charterholder. With that said, they are very different courses of action. I think both are valuable and provide different benefits but are difficult to compare. |
| rehaaz @2005-11-03 10:25:36 |
i read lots of comments from a number of smart guys(they are doing their MBA) here...BY the way i myself iam an MBA in finance.Comparing a CFA with an MBA finance is like comparing an apple with an orange!An MBA in finance focuses more on the management side of finance with little emphasis in the investment business while a CFA is moulded for Investment experts like portfolio managers, stock analysts etc.i am working as a stock analyst in investment company , i can tell you that a CFA gives you more respect and credibily in the investment quarters. |
| anoor @2006-03-21 12:58:58 |
i read all the massages..everyone seem to have his view.but i think it would be best to go for the CFA alone. level I and II are sufficient to be your MBA in finance (at least this is my opinion). i finished my level II and believe me i saw people obtained an hounor degree in thier MBA and not knowing the knowledge i obtained from the CFA... bottom line..go for the CFA..and try to hit the 3 level...and you will be in a great position |
| Gnomez @2006-07-27 15:51:45 |
I just started as a CFA Level I candidate, and anticipate starting for my MBA in the fall or spring. If you think about it, if you leave the industry after a couple of years, you lose the CFA designation, but will NEVER lose that MBA. I say, get the MBA without a doubt, and the CFA designation added to that should really take you to the next level. With an MBA, you can do anything, with a CFA, you can only be in finance. You never know where life will lead you. |
| psampat23 @2009-12-04 02:13:33 |
thobile and awen, i am currently in the same boat as you guys, chemical engineer in the industry for about 5 years. i like my job, i like the career, but i dont love it, i want a possible career change from engineering to finance, because i love trading stocks, and i love investing. i guess the grass always looks green on the otherside, but i really want to make the move. was just wondering how its been working for u guys since the jpmorgan interview and for u, awen? i am considering this cfa idea, but want to make sure others have successfully made it to the other side when taking such a leap of faith? and btw wat is the average salary for level 1 cfa? i got a mortgage to pay, atleast the engineering salary is covering that |
| ljamieson @2010-01-19 18:46:35 |
My experience: everyone in the bank has a CFA. It's necessary but not sufficient. The movers are the one's with an MBA. Get an MBA. Get a job. Do CFA. CFA won't get you a job. Everyone has CFA. Not everyone has MBA. Get your MBA from a school with good reputation and excellent alumni connections. That is what gets you a job. CFA doesn't make you special because everyone you will work with has it. You have to do it. It doesn't make you special. You make you special. Banks recruit from certain MBA programs. Do one that they recruit from. Do your CFA whenever. Sooner the better of course. You don't want to be studying while your babies are crying. |
| saifa @2011-12-04 12:28:37 |
Hi, siggy25 thanks for sharing with us your thought and experience, I am from engineering background too and have been working as a Geotechnical engineer for the last 4 years, but honestly it is not worth it! I do not see myself being an engineer for the rest of my professional life and thinking of doing CFA this June 2011 maybe level 2 then an MBA in a year or two. My question is : is five months enough to prepare for June 2011 Level 1 exam as I just founf out about the CFA recently? thanks |
| Aminiagma @2012-04-08 10:01:36 |
Hi all invited I assumption you demand a "high jinks"here a barely longer in this forum |
| gobbles @2020-07-07 09:56:42 |
I think when choosing a study option you have to be honest with yourself about what you want to achieve and what your situation is: Growing up outside of North America I had to learn some hard lessons since moving to North America and doing my undergrad and post grad here. Lesson 1: No one really cares how smart you are. Many people mistakenly believe that their grades/qualification is THE issue when determining employment it is not. Job applicants need only possess the minimum tertiary qualification for eligibility to most positions. Lesson 2: Why are you doing an MBA/CFA. If it is for academic curiosity great. If you think its going to make you rich/get you the position you are after on its own, its not. Lesson 3: Its not what you know its who you know. Ivey league / top tier MBAs don't teach you superior theory they give you a superior network. Take this from a guy who has passed CFA level III, MBA, engineering, deans list top standardized testing scores etc. |
