Introduction
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a credential that is offered to finance professionals. The credential is offered by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, which was formerly referred to as the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR). Any candidate who has been awarded this credential is certified to have vast knowledge in the field of securities, as well as investment vehicles. Recognition of the credential has increased over the last couple of years, especially owing to the recent financial crisis that has hit most parts of Europe. CFA is highly recognized in the United Kingdom where it is equivalent to a master’s degree. This essay discusses the importance of choosing Chartered Financial Analyst as a career.
Importance of Chartered Financial Analyst as a career
For finance students, CFA is very important since it adds to their depth of knowledge in the field of finance. A student who has the CFA certificate is likely to get employed faster than the one who has just a finance degree. Over the last couple of years, employers have been demanding CFA qualification in senior positions such as Securities Research, as well as Investment Management. This is an indication that if one takes a career as a Chartered Financial Analyst, there are chances that they are likely to advance faster in their career. Almost every student aims to develop in their career and attain the highest level possible. A Chartered Financial Analyst qualification will aid this development due to its demand in senior positions. The certificate will open numerous career paths to the holder, as well as open up several positions (300hours para. 1).
It is imperative to note that the CFA does not only open up career paths in the field of finance. In a different field, the CFA will act as a prestige credential as it highlights the worth of an individual, as well as their credibility in financial analysis and management. Thus, CFA increases the upward mobility of an individual. One is better positioned to be offered senior management positions in any organization due to his or her financial knowledge. A person who has financial knowledge is deemed to have the ability to manage organizational resources more effectively and efficiently (CFA Institute para. 11).
The credentials open up competitive fields such as portfolio management, business development, as well as investment banking. One also has a higher chance of being involved in corporate mergers and acquisitions. Companies hire someone to carry out an analysis of the viability of a merger or an acquisition before proceeding with the investment. A qualified CFA is well-positioned to land such a job due to their knowledge in investment and portfolio management. A student who has a CFA certificate appears to be more serious in his or her career. Such students are likely to be great assets to any organization that hires them.
This increases their chances of being invited for an interview. In fact, a student might have a poor GPA but their chances of landing an interview are relatively high due to the mere fact that he or she has a CFA certificate. A student with a poor GPA and does not have a CFA is not even likely to receive a courtesy return call from the employer (Monster para. 2).
Taking a career as a Chartered Financial Analyst also helps one to become a qualified financial advisor. One can take the role of a financial advisor effectively and successfully with enough knowledge in CFA. Financial firms are demanding for people who have the CFA certificates to take up the roles of financial advisors. This shows that the chances available for someone with CFA are increasing each day. In addition to financial firms demanding Chartered Financial Analyst, one can also open his or her financial firm. This is a form of self-employment. The issues of unemployment have been increasing lately.
Graduates get their certificates, but they find it very difficult to find a job. Many students end up being desperate or doing jobs they never imagined they could do. Taking up a course as a Chartered Financial Analyst can save the graduate from all this since they can open their financial firm and employ themselves. In fact, they end up being employers since they eventually need someone as an assistant (WallStreetOasis para. 1).
Being a Chartered Financial Analyst, one is likely to earn more compared to other investment analysts who do not have the charter. According to a survey conducted in the year 2005 by the CFA Institute survey, it was found out that CFAs’ earnings are 54% more than those of other investment analysts who do not have the charter but have a similar experience. A person with good experience in CFA earns much better than even the MBA holders. CFA is recognized as equivalent to MBA in terms of qualifications, yet the cost of getting it is much lower than that of an MBA (CFA Institute para. 3). In addition, the time one needs to invest in CFA is much less than the time invested in MBA.
It is approximated that an average of 300 hours are required in the study of CFA, compared to 900 hours required for MBA. This indicates how economical it is to make a career in CFA. The pay-out is really big. The survey by the CFA Institute indicated that a CFA holder earns approximately $236,510, while an MBA holder earns an approximate salary of $200,000. For someone who has an MBA and a CFA at the same time, the earning is even much better since it was found out that they earned an approximate salary of $255,000. It is important to note that this survey was conducted in the year 2005 and the statistics relate to the same year. There is a high possibility that the figures have increased today (Monster para. 2).
Another important thing in taking a career in Chartered Financial Analyst is that it can act as a bridge for those people who wish to cross over from accounting or finance to a job that is related to investment. Some people are in the field of accounting but would like to work as investment or securities analysts. One of the sure ways to achieve this is through passing the CFA exam. This gives you knowledge in investment. The fact that CFA is closely related to accounting and finance will make it easier for an accountant to pass the exam. Once the CFA exam has been passed, one can comfortably cross over to the investment field (CFA Institute para. 7).
One of the worries that most students who join colleges and universities have is the recognition and marketability of the course they take in the labour world. Some courses are only recognized in the countries where they are offered, and this limits the opportunities for candidates who take such courses. CFA is recognized worldwide. In fact, CFA is known as one of the most recognized professional credentials in the globe.
This increases the chances of employment for a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder. CFAs can be employed anywhere in the world. In addition, Chartered Financial Analyst charter holders can be transferred easily across markets in the world. If one has a dream to work overseas in the field of finance, CFA is the best career goal to invest in. It is approximated that around 100,000 CFA holders are currently working in over 130 nations across the world (CFA Institute para. 4).
Conclusion
Chartered Financial Analyst is a credential that has become highly recognized over the last couple of years. Its importance has been amplified by the increasing intent of organizations to make numerous investments to increase their income. Organizations are willing to spread portfolios to reduce the level of risks in their investments. In addition, the recent financial strains that have hit most parts of Europe and America have also increased the urgency of financial knowledge. These factors make a CFA holder become highly demanded in high profile positions due to the finance and investment knowledge they possess.
Taking a career in CFA has several benefits, ranging from the big pay-out, low cost of taking the course, high demand in the job market, high chances of career development, as well as its equivalence to MBA; hence one does not have to study MBA.
Works Cited
300hours. 7 Reasons for You to Consider the CFA Charter. Web.
CFA Institute. Professionalism at Every Level. 2011. Web.
CFA Institute. Why Choose a Charterholder? 2013. Web.
CFA Institute. A Mark of Peerless Distinction: The CFA Designation. n.d. Web.
Monster. Is the CFA Right for You? 2013. Web.
WallStreetOasis. CFA vs. MBA: Which Should You Choose? 2012. Web.