Careers,Job & Education - CFA/QFA/Masters etc Questions Go Here

CheckRaiseIRL wrote: »

Is this the full set of Schweser study notes for CFA I? Amazon

you're probably better off buying from the schweser site directly - there should be a link through the CFA ireland website that may give you a discount

I'm in my final year of Commerce in NUIGalway specialising in economics. Last semester I got a job in one of the big 4, and I'm due to do a posgtgrad in Accounting next year then 3 years in their audit practice in Dublin. My average is 68 but I hope to get above the crucial 70 in the next few weeks

Problem is accounting really isn't what I'm interested in, its finance. I always knew that but I never really realised there was decent employment opportunities in it, I failed to differentiate between economics jobs and finance jobs I suppose (very naive on my part, I know!)

But now I'm wondering what to do about this, should I stick with the ACCA's for four years then go into finance?

The other option would be to take a year out (can't really afford a masters in September and probably too late) and start a Masters of Finance in 2012.

I suppose I'm just wondering would I be further ahead in the finance industry in four years after a masters and two years work or the ACCA's?

lopppy wrote: »

I'm in my final year of Commerce in NUIGalway specialising in economics. Last semester I got a job in one of the big 4, and I'm due to do a posgtgrad in Accounting next year then 3 years in their audit practice in Dublin. My average is 68 but I hope to get above the crucial 70 in the next few weeks ........

The other option would be to take a year out (can't really afford a masters in September and probably too late) and start a Masters of Finance in 2012.

These two don't add up. You're due to do a postgrad but can't afford to do a masters? With a potential 1st, would you not skip the postgrad and do a masters in accounting that exempts you from most of your exams? That way, you only have the final to do and get the relevant experience.

I know the masters in accounting in NUIG offers this. Don't go into auditing if you're interested in finance. A waste of time. Look to get into structured financial accounting, examining the books of NAMA etc. THat kind of experience would set you up nicely for a career in finance (as broad as finance is).

When you say you want to work in finance what do you even mean?

lopppy wrote: »

The company is sponsoring me to do the postgrad, should have said that in my original post. Also, since I'm doing the economics stream I'm not eligible for a masters, because I'm not specialising in accounting in my undergrad and thus don't have the CAP 1's.

The part of finance that appeals to me would be any jobs relating to the financial markets, there seems to be so many different titles but asset management and the global markets are what appeal to me most. I've a friend that just started in JP Morgan in Dublin and his job sounds really interesting, so I suppose ideally I would like to end up in a firm like that although I'm aware how competitive the industry is.


If I did audit (which is what the contract is for) I would have the choice to work in financial services. Would it still be a waste of time?

Thanks for your help

JP Morgan in Dublin is mostly back office and middle office work, so make sure you know what the company can offer you before you decide that where you want to go. If you want Front office work, apply for JPM in london but going via Dublin is not the route to go.

mac123 wrote: »

Does anyone have a list of the key formulas for the level 2 exam that they could send me?

you would want a pretty big file, I am doing Level 2 and I wouldnt even know where to start to look. Have you got the Schweser books?

mac123 wrote: »

Yeah I downloaded them a while back. Thats what I have been working off for the most part. I know they have a list of formulas but its 25 pages worth.

I was hoping for something a bit smaller that I can just reference to quickly for the main formulas.

How are you finding it anyway? I think its harder than level one, not really the material but having less questions and a bigger range in the topic weights makes it difficult.

I did a full practice exam yesterday and my theory was good but the formulas let me down a bit.

It's very hard work, I am getting through it slowly but it's hard to know where you stand with it. It is definitely a step up from level 1, the Schweser book alone are 400 pages longer.

soddy1979 wrote: »

Best of luck peeps. Only 11 days left. Going to be so happy to be finished with this.

If anyone wants to hook up for a beer, just look for the dude propping up the bar in Paddy Cullen's at about 5.30!

I hope you're not the only one! 10 days left now, bloody hate that countdown timer!

Do any investment banks in Dublin have front office oppourtunities or would you need to look to London for internships in those areas?

Will be sitting CFA 1 in December and was working off the CFA notes, but was advised to work off the Schwester notes, so downloaded them, but i cant print them as they are protected. Any way around this? I dont have the 600 odd bucks to buy more notes...

Thanks

SBWife wrote: »

You've obviously read the CFA section on ethics then?

Read about 100 odd pages and then I got the advice that the Schwester notes condenses ethics into 80 pages, so I skipped onto quant methods then. I think I would of skipped onto something more interesting myself anyways, as it was drip dry boring. I'm currently working off the computer with the Schwester notes, but I would prefer actual paper notes.

I dont want to use 2 sets of notes either, one or the other will be best I think.

Any ideas?

ofjames wrote: »

There are webpages that crack password protected pdf's. Just google.

Obviously you will be breaking copyright law etc and violating CFA ethics but if you're cool with that...

Ill just work off the laptop then..cheers.

Still waiting.... Tuesday is the big day for me. Less confident as time goes on. How did you get on whysomoody?

Do they release the results on different days now?

When I did it they all came out the same day but back then you got them by snail mail

What calculator would people recommend to use for the CFA? And can they be bought in Dublin?

I'm currently working in IT in a large financial broker. We have a research division that is currently operational in our offices in the states but will eventually setup shop in europe. I'm looking to possibly move in to that side and research tech industries. I have been looking at this Graduate Diploma in Finance as a bridge http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/lse/dip_grad/finance/index.shtml
as I don't have the money for a masters at the moment. I was recently looking at the CFA. Aside from being much more difficult and taking twice as long would it be a good idea to go for the CFA instead? I'm not sure if they would count me working in my IT role in a broker as work experience tho? Maybe I would have to switch roles after I get level 1 or level 2?

thank!