Too Old

CFA General
#21

I took L1 in December, and turned 30 the following month.

#22

I am 41 and took L1 in 2014, L2 in 2015 and I hope to successfully finish L3 this year.

I agree that it is much more helpful the CFA to get the charter when you are younger. But as someone said in another post you are never too old to learn.

#23

I earned the Charter 4 months before my 40th birthday and started later in life because it didn´t fit my (desired) job profile. I agree that learning itself might be easier when you´re young, but I benefitted extremely from my experience.

#24

I’m 31 and writing L2 in June. I’m a CPA and work in accounting and business analyst roles. It’ll be interesting to see what kind sort of developments I’ll see when I progress further down the CFA path. I wonder if I’ll have to take a pay cut for the transition. I hope not! I feel your concern brother.

#25

I know a handful of people that have transitioned into great finance jobs at 30 or later.

Every single one of them went to a top 15 MBA program, graduated towards the top of their class, and focused entirely on the skills/job they wanted post graduation. Zero did it via the CFA program.

#26

CFA with some top B-School Masters will be good choice…CFA is great qualification at any age…Do it for enhancing knowledge…Not for getting job…Job is by-product of knowlege.

#27

I passed level one when I turned 28 recently. And wil pursue level 2 If I manage to get a job in Big 4 after MBA.

#28

Whippersnapper!

#29

At 30 too old for CFA, silly! Are you too old for marriage, LOL!

#30

Everyone is talking about career prospects but I think lifestyle considerations are being overlooked.

Can you afford to spend half of a regular work year over the next three years studying for an exam? I cleared level 1 fresh out of school before I had a real job. No way I would finish the program if I hadnt ended up committing myself by clearing that first stage early on. The time committment cost is much higher to someone who has a family to be concerned about, makes more per hour, or frankly, has less time left on their ticker. The strain on relationships (both personal and professional) should be considered.

If your goal is strictly career progression, youre making a huge committment upfront on a bet that doesnt pay off for > 90% of candidates. If you enjoy the subject, there is no better way to learn it.

#31

one of my favourite words…

#32

u may try to encourage instead of popping your bossy habits,

If I were u I would ve studied those CFA things for my knowledge of finance background instead of searching a job those big nose managers and believe that u will be happier than ever because of success of passing this kind of hard exam.

Then u ll never know what life brings u so insist on learning anytime anywhere.

#33

If you want a friend, get a dog

#34

I don’t remember saying having no background in finance, in fact I do.

#35

If you want it bad enough, and get a chance, you can make it happen.

#36

VP corp dev of the client i’m working with didn’t go to university until he was 26, graduated at 30. Got into IB at a bulge bracket and stayed for 3 years, did PE for three years afterwards and is now making $250k + 100% bonus. Small sample size, and not many people are as ambitious (and perhaps lucky) but it’s certainly possible.

#37

everything is possible mate. Just go for it!

Hard work will always pay you back. Sometimes not in the exact way as you had in your head but they do pay you back.

Not everyone needs to have the gold medal in their hands or win the Masters to be happy, proud and successful.

#38

30 is too old, really?

I passed Level 1 at 29, Level 2 at 31. I’m working on the next level and might get my charter at age 32-33. I started working in the investment industry at age 30 after working a few years in unrelated fields. How is 30 old?

#39

I’m 53 and will be sitting CFA level2

I just love the challenge

of course I don’t know where this will take me but I’m giving it my best.