Would CFA really help in getting a nicer Job?

csa · August 20th, 2007, 3:30 am

In my first year Ph.D. in Finance program in the US, we took two semesters of microeconomic theory. That's pretty standard curriculum because the foundations, tools, and solution techniques are similar and are needed to understand more advanced concepts.

ericlambi · August 22nd, 2007, 12:06 am

If you want to be an investor its probably a good idea. If all you care about is writing computer programs and doing statistics and no-arb pricing algorithms, it probably isn't very necessary.

mellisacat · August 22nd, 2007, 2:45 pm

Thanks for the input. What's the salary range for an CFA type investor vs. Quant? Any idea?

ericlambi · August 23rd, 2007, 12:17 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: mellisacatThanks for the input. What's the salary range for an CFA type investor vs. Quant? Any idea?I'd say that at entry level they are more or less the same. From there, it is determined by job performance. Investor probably has more upside, but bigger risks as well.

Thinker · August 23rd, 2007, 12:53 am

One thing about the CFA, especially in analyst (not quant land) is that it has become a prerequisite - okay you do your MBA but if you've already got a CFA easier to get the analyst job, if you haven't, why not?. Basically a type of HR screen. This is regardless of the actual content/whether it helps in your job.