I wanted to ask you guys what do you consider to be the “best” credential/etc for asset management type jobs ? RIA Firms, Hedge Funds, etc. Yes this is a CFA forum so maybe some bias towards the CFA. What do clients and potential employers like the most ? Of the many that exist, the following seem to be more common CFP (note I could care less about insurance guidance or how a widow should handle her estate) CMT (I do have an interest in technical analysis) CIMA CFA MBA CPA Etc ? Thank You 
None. Learn to write up or talk about a killer stock pitch. That is your ticket to getting into the investment management industry. This business is about generating IDEAS.
See here for more info on how to get into equity research / hedge funds - these are from a multi-part interview series I did with Mergers & Inquisitions:
http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/hedge-fund-case-studies-part-1-overview/
http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/equity-research-recruiting/
Numi, do you truly believe that?
If you came from a non-target with a low GPA how would you even have access to PM’s to share your ideas?
Numi
Your reply is interesting. I am of the (possibly incorrect) notion that the clients and big name firms will want some “pedigree” behind the applicant. I am enrolled in a state university MBA program, I care not to mention the school but it is a well respected (but state) MBA program.
Well, sure, pedigree is definitely helpful, so let me try to answer the question in a different way. I have what many would consider to be “top” degrees for undergrad and MBA, and despite this, I still had to network like crazy and write up a bunch of stock ideas to get a buy-side jobs. I don’t have the CFA and don’t plan to get it anytime soon. Obviously there’s no way to make a blanket statement about what one should or shouldn’t do because everyone’s circumstances are unique. So, therefore while I can’t say that I envy the barriers to entry that people from non-target schools faced, but there are many bright analysts that I call my peers and friends that went to non-target schools. If they didn’t have the same type of “pedigree,” then it stands to reason that they got the job in some other way – and that way is likely via the quality of their ideas.
I am an equity analyst on the buy-side, so therefore I get paid quite simply on the performance of the fund and the performance of my calls. Having degrees, certifications and all that stuff is nice, and don’t get me wrong, I’m sure IR does what they can to dress me up in the marketing materials. But from Day 1, and even before you get hired, it’s about the quality of your ideas. You don’t even get to work on a case study or get to final rounds unless people like the way you think about investing.
It’s all about idea generation.
If you lived during the “American Dream” era where anything was possible with hardwork, sure those degrees could have helped you a lot to get ahead. We live in a different environment, notably a contracting industry. Who you know is a lot more important.
For AM hiring, results (track record of stock calls) > work experience > ANY degree you listed.
CFA is icing on a cake, it could be a deciding factor on who gets the job when it;s all come down to the final 2 candidates.
No company will care that Joe doesn’t have the CFA charter as long as he’s great at his job. vs Bob who has a CFA charter and does an ok job. Bob will be the one that gets fired.