My advice is the following: don’t try to be a jack of all trades. Stick where you have expertise in.
CFA with a IT-degree can be a really really good paying job. Stick with it. No reason to be a PM. Play to your strengths.
On finra.org:
Investment Advisers
Although most people would use an “o,” we purposely spell adviser with an “e” when we talk about investment advisers. That’s because the laws that govern this type of investment professional spell the title this way.
Many investment advisers are also brokers—but these two types of investment professional aren’t the same. So as you choose among different professionals, here’s what you need to know about investment advisers.
- What they are: An investment adviser is an individual or company who is paid for providing advice about securities to their clients. Although the terms sound similar, investment advisers are not the same as financial advisors and should not be confused. The term financial advisor is a generic term that usually refers to a broker (or, to use the technical term, a registered representative). By contrast, the term investment adviser is a legal term that refers to an individual or company that is registered as such with either the Securities and Exchange Commission or a state securities regulator. Common names for investment advisers include asset managers, investment counselors, investment managers, portfolio managers, and wealth managers. Investment adviser representatives are individuals who work for and give advice on behalf of registered investment advisers.
- Who regulates them: The SEC regulates investment advisers who manage $110 million or more in client assets, while state securities regulators have jurisdiction over advisers who manage up to $100 million. Advisers with less than $100 million in assets under management (AUM) must register with the state regulator for the state where the adviser has its principal place of business. When a state-registered adviser’s AUM reach the $100 million threshold, the adviser may elect to register with the SEC—but when the adviser’s AUM exceeds $110 million, it generally must register with the SEC. It is important to find out exactly which services a professional who wears multiple hats will provide for you and what they will charge for their services. You can get background information on both SEC- and state-registered investment advisers by using FINRA BrokerCheck or calling us toll-free (800) 289-9999.You can also get background information by visiting the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database.
- What they offer: In addition to providing individually tailored investment advice, some investment advisers manage investment portfolios. Others may offer financial planning services or, if they are properly licensed, brokerage services (such as buying or selling stock or bonds)—or some combination of all these services.
Also, in the Level 1 Ethics reading 4, Sample 4 Real Estate Closed End Fund describes themselves as a Registered Investment Adviser.
Yes! Go for the CFA, you will be perceived as the cream of the crop in the investment management industry by having the charter. Nobody is ever too old to study, education is a life-long journey so being 35 is not a problem at all. I bought Kaplan Schweser Premium, it includes print and eBook, video lecture, and there will be live online class starting Jan 2019 all for about $1300. Then registering for the exam cost me a total of $1400. There is an early bird registration, which would cost a lot less. I also have the original CFA books from the CFA institute but they are too wordy. Kaplan breaks down the points concisely.
It ain’t a problem as long as you remember to state the CFA charter guarantees superior investment returns! It’s all gravy after that!
SEC.gov website: Fast Answers Investment Advisers
An investment adviser is a person or firm that is engaged in the business of providing investment advice to others or issuing reports or analyses regarding securities, for compensation. Investment advisers may include money managers, investment consultants, financial planners, general partners of hedge funds, and others who are compensated for providing advice about securities.
Advice about securities not only includes advice about specific securities (such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, limited partnerships, and commodity pools), but may also include advice about market trends, the selection or retention of other advisers, the advantages of investing in securities over other types of investments (such as coins or real estate), the furnishing of a selective list of securities, and asset allocation.
For more information about investment advisers, read our publication Investment Advisers: What You Need to Know Before Choosing One.
Investment advisers generally must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities authorities. For information on how to register as an investment adviser, please visit the SEC’s IARD web page.
Morningstar disclosure:
Morningstar® Managed Portfolios℠ are offered by the entities within Morningstar’s Investment Management group, which includes subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. that are authorized in the appropriate jurisdiction to provide consulting or advisory services in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. In the United States, Morningstar Managed Portfolios are offered by Morningstar Investment Services LLC or Morningstar Investment Management LLC, both registered investment advisers, as part of a discretionary investment advisory service or as model portfolios to third-party advisory programs on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. Morningstar Managed Portfolios offered by Morningstar Investment Services LLC or Morningstar Investment Management LLC are intended for citizens or legal residents of the United States or its territories and can only be offered by a registered investment adviser or investment adviser representative. It is important to note that investments in securities (e.g. mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, common stocks) involve risk and will not always be profitable. There is no guarantee that the results of advice, recommendations, or the objectives of your portfolio will be achieved. There is no guarantee that negative returns can or will be avoided in any of Morningstar Managed Portfolios’ portfolios. An investment made in a security may differ substantially from its historical performance and as a result, you may incur a loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not eliminate the risk or experiencing investment losses.