Start CFA at the age of 19

CFA General
#1

Hi guys, I ve just finish my ACCA and I am 19. Do you advice me to do CFA now or I get some experience first, then i start the CFA program.

#2

Do you already have your 4-year undergraduate degree?

Either way, I would say get some experience first but I would start the program in a couple years before you have a wife/kids and such - it’s much easier when you don’t have other obligations like that.

#3

start as soon as possible

#4

johnbally, MBA, CFA, JD, CAIA, FRM, CIPM, PhD, CMA, ACCA, CA, CPA, MD, DDM, PE, ASA, FSA, Claritas

all by the time you’re 21…or, hacksaw.

#5

you forgot CFP, you should be ashamed

but seriously OP, you haven’t told us nearly enough to get any sort of relevant advice. What job do you want? are you planning on working in accounting?

#6

Who actually likes working in accounting? Literally no one I’ve ever encountered in my life told me they enjoyed accounting and can’t wait for the first opportunity to get out, especially if it’s big four.

#7

Yes, acca qualification is equal to a 4-year undergraduate degree.

#8

I’m interested in finance but i really dont know where in finance and in which firm. Any advice plz!

#9

Op, you say its equivalent, but CFAI might not, so check that out because otherwise you will have to wait a few years before signing up anyway.

when you say interested in finance do you mean in some sort of investment analyst role? Otherwise the CFA is not super relevant.

what is your job now?

#10

Its equivalent for cfa also. I ve ask them. I just turned 19, so I dont have any job right now. Where is Cfa super relevant and where do you advice me to start my career?

#11

you can’t start the CFA program until you have satisfied one of the following:

  1. you have completed a bachelors degree (or in final year of),

  2. you have 4 years of full time professional work experience; or

  3. a combination of 4 years of the 1. and 2.

#12

Well it’s geared towards portfolio management, but it has applications for people who work with and analyze securities of some sort.

Places that the CFA is not relevant would include things like FP&A, or really most of the jobs at “regular” companies (not financial companies or like big 4 firms)

also where to start your career depends on what you want to do.

Really I would try and narrow down jobs you might want, saying you want a finance job isn’t really specific enough goal for someone to give you advice on if you should pursue the CFA or the types of jobs you should try to get.

#13

if you are 19 and already finished ACCA, you probably can finish CFA before you turn 22, I say just do it!

Many times people say you should do this first and do that first, I’d say if you have an idea of doing something, and the determination, do it first! Who knows what will come after?

If you change your mind after level 1 that you want to be a doctor instead, you can always JUST STOP. There is no penalty other than the few hundred dollars you spent on the exam (or was it $1000?) My point is, that is minimal compare to the life experience and opportunities ahead of you.

BEST OF LUCK :slight_smile:

#14

OP sounds dumb. Not sure if more alphabets after his name will change that.