I want to do CFA (chartered Financial Analyst ) certification provided by CFAI - hYDERABAD . Any info abt it?

Question

i am a software professional working on developing financial software(banking software).So if i complete this certification , can i switch over my career to so Finance management

Answer 1

Okay. Not a problem.

There are a few things that you need to do:

1. Go to www.cfainstitute.org and sign up to do the Level 1 exam.

2. Go to a Study Program to help you. I took Schweser, which helped immensely. If you don't get a study program, you will have to buy all the source textbooks. The source texts are big, expensive and are more information than you need to know (for the exam's purpose). The Study Programs will focus you, teach you how to take the tests, highlight things that are important and put things into plainer English.

3. Know that the CFA program is not easy. Pass rates are historically low. You can't just "wing it". You have to dedicate yourself to studying. I gave up my evenings and weekends and managed to pass each test in succession (three years). Latest pass rates are on the website. I can't tell you have relieved I was to have it over with.

4. It is not cheap. A good way to get around this is to study for Level 1 and use that to "get in the door" at a investment firm. Depending on the firm, you may get the test paid for by your work. I did.

5. Is it a guarantee to be able to shift over. No. Does it help? You bet. If you look at the job descriptions for most of the jobs in the financial securities industry, the CFA is a preference for about half of the important jobs. Does it get you any more money? Not necessarily, but it's not going to hurt. The CFA charter holders in my office don't get any more money than those that don't, but they tend to be more savvy and get higher bonuses. That is, it gives you the mental tools to excel.

You have any more questions, e-mail me.

Answer 2

Hi Brin,

I hope that YOU are PREPARED to devote your life to study until you take the test. If I just SCARED you, that was my intent. If you are in a relationship that could also be on the line.

My ex-wife was the Tax Manager for a BIG 8 firm before they all combined for several years. She got her BS (4.0) with TWO infants and a severaly disabled husband that would NOT accept a nurse. She got her Masters with another 4.0. She started her own firm and does WELL.

She has over 30 years of CPA experience and is TOP NOTCH in her field.

She used to drop 30 pages of IRS notices on my desk and I would write a 4 page newsletter (I am a sales executive in electronics); yea WEIRD combination, but between the two of us we had a pretty good study group.

She FAILED the CFA! I still do not understand why but it is history and her practice continues to grow.

Her daughter was a 4.3 student in both HS and college and decided to take the LSAT for law school; she failed and now works in IB.

My whole point is, "Do you have the kind of mind that can take in information, analyize and APPLY a SOLUTION"?

My first exposure to computers was a PDP-8 working on aircraft simulation sound programs; I have a partial EE.

My experience with software people is they are driven by RULES; it is either a 1 or a zero and are NOT real creative outside the RULES of whatever system you are using.

I got my real estate licence from one of the "License Mills" and did WELL! I suppose my sales and finance skills helped.

My suggestion is to evaluate the way that YOU THINK and then decide if it is a FIT.

Here is a little test. Do you manage your own IRA with on-line trading? If you don't have the confidence to PLAY with your own money who is going to give you theirs?

I hope that I was not to BLUNT, but I have been down the road that you are looking at.

Look at yourself and decide if you can deal with the demands of clients. If you are looking for 24/7 you will find it as a CFA. HAH, my ex returned calls on out honeymoon.

Just do what YOU DO BEST and GO GIRL if it works for you.

Hope this helps,
Jacques

Answer 3

i'm an ACCA student and function qualified CAT those days. CFA makes a speciality of portfolio administration, risk administration, analyzing financial statements. It became into high quality for you as a commerce student and what i think of could be very sturdy in those circumstances international. there is incredibly sturdy call for in industry. i'm a Pakistani and a CFA can fairly earn 2 lac PKRS. India has huge industry and CFA might easily rock. yet attempt to do MBA after CFA or until now CFA that could polish you nicely.