CFA in conjunction withhhh???

C

calikid70

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2026
Messages
0
Reaction score
0
So I have been trying to find a topic posted anywhere on the web and I have been unsuccessful. There are endless questions about CFA VS CPA, CFA VS MBA, CFA VS CAIA….
My question is CFA AND CMA/CAIA? I am enrolling in the June CFA Level 1 exam and my question is… What can I take in conjunction that closely resembles the CFA curriculum. I know CMA Level 1 has financial analysis involved in it and is offered in the Fall…. My plan would be to study full time and take the CFA then when it is over turn to the CMA in hopes that most of what I studied for the CFA would be applicable. Or to counter that possibly the CFA Level 1 and CAIA Level 1 which is in Sept.
I know that it isnt practical and sounds stupid but I normally set goals high and am used to being busy… My background. I just graduated my undergrad with majors in Accounting, Finance, and Management with 150 credits. I also did football and track.
 
I don’t have experience w/ CMA but I’m skeptical about the overlap with CFA L1. Also could you clarify WHY you want to do the CMA? The plan you describe is not really in conjunction with; it is CFA1 and then CMA or CAIA. Many people take the CAIA after CFA so that would be a more relevant plan if you want to do investment management/consulting.
 
Sorry.. Im not trying to say CFA level 1 is the same as CMA level 1 or infering that. I just know that both contain financial analysis topics… And while the CFA is primarily from an investment standpoint… And the CMA is from a accounting/internal/fp&a standpoint, im kinda trying to gauge if the principles are closely related so that I can kill 2 birds with one stone.
I ultimately want to do the CMA, CFA, and CAIA.. I don’t know yet if I plan on staying on the finance side of the industry or going to the accounting side… I would study for and take the CPA though I would never be able to get the experience requirement… As it has to be done under a supervisor with a CPA… Everyone is free to judge and say its stupid or irrational and thats fine, but i ultimately want to know the most effective path to accomplish the CFA, CAIA, and CMA within the next 4 years
 
I did CFA L1 in Dec and then studied for and passed all 4 CMA parts (different structure several years ago) over 6 weeks while waiting for results. I was able to use the overlap to significantly reduce study time. I also scored in the top 10 overall scores in the nation (was given some award and invited to the annual conference in Tampa) so it could have been done more quickly. In the end, the CMA was relatively worthless and easy, I did it because it was a company initiative at the firm I was at at the time (I was doing reporting). I have since let it expire. My advice would be to focus on your job rather than wasting time.
 
thats ambitious of you but you havent stated WHY you want to do these things or what job you want to have. How old are you & what have you done with your life so far, what have you seen, etc..?
 
Thanks, I appreciate that response…. Much more beneficial thennnn “why would you wanna do that” orrr “CPA >>> all else” etc. I ultimately dont know where I want to end up in terms of a career/industry(Dream is PE/VC/Hedge or possibly consulting). I currently work in Public Finance as an analyst. I want some alphabet soup with my name and I want to compact the timeline and get it done while im still motivated to do so and dont have a family or any other commitments.
 
Ok, my personal advice, and this is outside the realm of CFA land topics: Listen to what Andrew said. What you’ll find is that ultimately noone cares about alphabet soup. I mean that, it won’t help you advance at all, often, it will actually hinder your progress. I know for a fact that when we see resumes with more than one designation listed behind the name at the top, we start losing interest. Typically it shows a lack of focus on reality or an overly academic mindset. I’m 27 now and fortunately, realized my mistake in time to correct it and go live. But regardless, I probably spent too much time doing those things before I realized, what AndrewUNH is trying to say. Get out and travel, do crazy things, go party in a city, maybe do some outdoor adventures. But rather than trying to squeeze this stuff in while you don’t have family and commitments, you should use this time to go get your living done. Because later, you won’t be able to do any of those things I just mentioned, but you can always take a lame test.
 
I mean I wouldnt necissarily its a lack of focus and I really appreciate the advice given.. I may ultimately change my mind.. I am going to start with the CFA. I feel the CPA would help me if I find a way to break into PE or VC in the next couple years. I fully understand though and respect the opinion. I have just always have had it drilled in my head that if you qualify, you may as well do it…. I also need the designations to help weight my application to grad schools because I came from a no name undergrad school, and my GPA wasn’t the best.. a lot of contributing factors no excuses I just really didnt have school as a top priority and I should have.
 
Grad schools typically give little if no weight to certifications. In general they’re more likely to look for unique backgrounds and people who have a lot of life experience and various dimensions to their life.
 
ESPECIALLY with top tier schools. They will flat out tell you it doesn’t really matter. They’re more focused on what you’ve accomplished at your job, are you a leader, have you innovated, what is your life background, what unique experiences or characteristics do you have, etc
 
I really appreciate all the feed back… Im just gonna start with the CFA in June and see where things take me…
So on a productive note(related to the forum).. What study prep should I use for Level one? and would I be fine with just the flashcard system or is it worth the extra $$$ to get the full set up?
 
Well, if money’s an issue, you can just use the free materials, that’s what I did. They’re thicker though and more in depth and take a lot of time to work through. The other main option is Schweser / Kaplan, which is like the cliff notes or abbreviated version of the CFAi texts. If you go Schweser, the flashcards probably don’t add much value (I think they just list all the learning outcome statements (just realized you probably don’t know what that is, don’t worry about it yet)). The Schweser books and Q-bank are they’re higher value products if you decide to go that route.
 
So since you only mentioned Schweser I am assuming then that you think it is the best? And money is an issue but at the same time if something adds real value or is worth getting then money is not an issue. I don’t want to spend $900 on something if it doesnt add any real value to my studying
 
Schweser is just much more brief than the free CFA texts. I used the CFA texts with great success, it just takes more time to work through the material. Best to use a highlighter as you go.
 
With that information I will likely get the Schweser books and Q Bank… I learn better through condensed material, I can always refer to the Free Books to get more indepth with certain topics. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top