CFA advice

Was this article the reason why you started taking CPCU exams? I remembered you mentioned that you have been in insurance claims for 18 years. Why did you wait for that long to start pursuing certification?

 

I started my CPCU journey on July 2009, which was right after I completed my last course to get my undergrad degree. Prior to completing this last course, I had no intentions of getting the CPCU. My employer had paid for my undergrad degree but rejected tuition reimbursement for my MBA, but said they would pay for my CPCU. I told management I would think about it. I did some research on CPCU and noticed some MBA programs accepted graduate credits toward the MBA, so I went ahead and started taking the courses. Back then, my attitude was that taking CPCU would save me money on obtaining MBA.

During my studies for CPCU I keep doing research on trying to find what career change I can make and not let my claims experience go to waste. I initially thought about accounting, but after speaking with different deans of business schools and recruiters and showing them my resume, I was told that Risk Management and Finance would be a good be a good match based on my prior experience for a career change. That's when I started reading different articles about risk and finance management careers. when I read the article, "Businesses at Risk" I was more focused on wanting to pursue a career in risk management.

 

I too would like to get into the risk/finance management field. Since I am already a CPA, I thought obtaining the CIA certification (internal control/SOX) would get me started in the field by leverage my accounting experience.

 

Hi all,

I completed the CFA program last year except for the 4 years of work experience left (half a year to go, have worked in a lot of different finance areas). I have found that the CFA is well recognised for Banking and Investment Analyst jobs generally, and that is why most people that do it are doing it. Work-load wise you are kidding yourself if you are thinking of working full-time and studying both an MBA and CFA. I worked while doing the CFA and for each level I spent a good 30 hours a week studying for 4-6 months (albeit I passed all the exams on first go so maybe I overdid it...). Anyhow, definitely not much time for anything else.
In addition to the CFA I have been told about a number of shorter courses that can help fast track your resume a bit for applications to these industries:
- Dealmaven
- The Analyst Exchange
- Training the Street
- Wall st Prep
Which course you do seems to be more related to your budget, but from what I have heard it is more a matter of just doing a course and having the skills and item on your resume that helps you rather than which of the above courses you do.
Hope this helps

JJZ

 

I am not sure exactly what happened.
I got an e-mail that somebody replied to this Thread.
However, I didn't see any new post when I clicked on the link.

 

sshuang,

I sent you PM