ACA and CFA

jack90210

Anyone got both qualifications?

Benefits to getting both?

How many years do you think you would be away from an exec position with both under your belt as opposed to one?

Is it entirelly unrealisitic to go for both in the same period.

E.g. Xmas 09 CFA level 1
Summer 10 CAP 1
Summer 11 CFA level 2 (1.5 yrs study time)
Summer 11 CAP 2
Summer 12 FAE
Summer 13 CFA Level 3

Mr.C Accountant

jack90210 wrote: »

Anyone got both qualifications?

Benefits to getting both?

How many years do you think you would be away from an exec position with both under your belt as opposed to one?

Is it entirelly unrealisitic to go for both in the same period.

E.g. Xmas 09 CFA level 1
Summer 10 CAP 1
Summer 11 CFA level 2 (1.5 yrs study time)
Summer 11 CAP 2
Summer 12 FAE
Summer 13 CFA Level 3

I personally feel you ahve the wrong attitude, its your hard work and dedication that is going to get you to the top, not some piece of paper!!!

Ideo

jack90210 wrote: »

Anyone got both qualifications?

Benefits to getting both?

How many years do you think you would be away from an exec position with both under your belt as opposed to one?

Is it entirelly unrealisitic to go for both in the same period.

E.g. Xmas 09 CFA level 1
Summer 10 CAP 1
Summer 11 CFA level 2 (1.5 yrs study time)
Summer 11 CAP 2
Summer 12 FAE
Summer 13 CFA Level 3

Thats a lot of fucking exams!

Are you sure that a firm will support you? If you sign up to an accounting firm the training contract will only last for 3/3.5 years so you'll have to do CAP1, CAP2 and FAE consecutively. What if you fail a year, will they extend your contract or give you the sack as is the case at the moment with the accounting firms?

Id seriously suggest looking into the masters and get the CAP 1 + 2 exemptions. Prob give the CFA level 1 and 2 a shot before sitting the FAEs? definitely level 1 anyway!

Personally, I dont see the benefit of having both qualifications tbh but I'd say CFAs rank above ACAs. Don't see the point in going for ACA if you not going to do audit like... If you have the CFA it'll easily make up for the lack of ACA!

Superdub2

Mr.C Accountant wrote: »

I personally feel you ahve the wrong attitude, its your hard work and dedication that is going to get you to the top, not some piece of paper!!!

Keep on telling yourself that

Hackysack

Superdub2 wrote: »

Keep on telling yourself that

You think that by being able to theoretically know some aspects of accountancy trumps being able to apply it with experience? Really?

N.Hobbit

Starting out with no exemptions is going to make your plan really effin difficult. The brain power involved in CAP2 and FAE is phenomenal.

If you feel your up to the task of that many exams all squished together then go right ahead after all ACAs often do their tax exams at the same time but do remember that if your on a training contract 60 and 70 hour weeks are not rareities and your motivation will be sorely tested.

Best of luck whichever you decide:rolleyes:

Ideo

having looked at the thread again i think your 6 year plan is entirely unrealistic. are you sure you understand the level of work required for CAPS & FAEs, let alone CFAs?

Running Bing

CFA's are fvcking tough!

Look at the pass rates. To think both could be done at the same time is naive in my view.

I believe the CFA is a very worthwhile qualification and has huge respect (reason being how tough it is) but I dont know if it would be worth doing just to have (or wheter you could even get it with such an attitude).

I always looked at it as something you go for for very specific reasons i.e. you want to work in an industry or with an employer where its a requirement.