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- Topic: Importance of MBA program when paired with CFA?
| Author | Topic: Importance of MBA program when paired with CFA? |
|---|---|
| parr2312 @2016-03-27 16:36:26 |
Currently shopping around for MBA programs. I am located in Charlotte, NC, leaving my choices between UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest (satellite location), and Queens University. I am unable to relocate at the time. I have pretty much ruled out Queens as it is not well known and is expensive, as it is private. Now I am choosing between paying a hefty fee for Wake Forest, or going cheaply at UNC-C. My question is; is a top notch MBA program important when you also hold a CFA charter? I am not exactly sure what field I?d like to go into (new to industry), so I can?t tell exactly what field I am looking into. Between my uncertainty, and the fact it looks like I will be moving into a lower level back office management position soon, I really just want to keep all my options open, hence both the MBA and CFA. I will be looking to start a family soon and would like my wife to stay at home, so cost is a HUGE issue for me. At the same time, I don\'t want to \'waste\' my time and/or money if a \'lesser\' program (UNC-C) is not worth it. Wake Forest Cost: ~$70k for program Rank: 32 in part time UNC Charlotte Cost: ~$25k Rank: 66 in part time Thanks for any help. Richard |
| robertucla @2016-04-11 09:31:28 |
I'm not too familiar with these programs but it seems that you are going to stay NC. The question you have to answer is do businesses in your area recruit from UNC and Wake Forest? How strong is the alumni network from these schools? If students have quality job placement along with strong alumni network I say go for it. |
| mattkunder @2019-06-25 23:29:12 |
A top MBA program would allow you to enter into exclusive firms that see these schools as "targets" for recruiting. Many investment banking and private equity firms do this, as do some premier asset management firms. As a CFA level II candidate who also has an MBA (part time/evening as well), I might be able to provide some insight. CFA will better prepare you for an individual contributor role (not a senior role, mind you, an entry/mid-level analyst) which will become more senior over time. CFA +10 years portfolio analysis and trading can go a lot further than just the charter. The MBA is a great way to redirect from one industry to another in addition to allowing you to think more strategically and from several different perspectives within an organization. This is why MBAs are often recruited to IB and PE firms, as these are not "capital markets" jobs, where you are evaluation highly liquid securities with standardized functions. These are deals-based transactions that require the firm to "get under the hood" and figure out what makes a firm tick. You will need to know how to evaluate management decisions, capital structure decisionmaking, funding decisions, even things like evaluating product lines, revamping marketing and advertising plans, bringing in new management and organizational transitions and divestments. CFA is more "capital markets" focused and MBA is more "holistic/deals focused." |
CFA Discussion Topic: Importance of MBA program when paired with CFA?
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