So right after I obtained my CFA designation, I haven’t been employed for past four years. (because I live in a racist sexist country which won’t let foreign women work). Previously I was working in a financial advisory firm.
For the long term I think, eventually, I will be starting my own business/be an independent consultant. I highly doubt I will get a respectable advisory job after this work gap.
All I can do right now is educate myself further. Thus, I am considering either CMA or MBA. But MBA is highly costly and pointless if not from the top places.
Any other finance/accounting roles which I might be employable in future with reasonable work/life balance? If yes, what appropriate qualifications are there?
I would recommend going into a big 4 or large accounting firm. They seem to be all about being inclusive. Here’s how I would do it… reach out to people in your network, preferably with a CFA who already work at one. If not, message a 2nd degree connection. This is the trick, get them to submit your resume under the employee referral program. That way your resume moves to the top and of you get hired, they get a referral bonus. Back in my day, I would refer people I barely even knew to try to snag a referral bonus.
What country do you live in? Anyway, based on my reflections of countries (presumably) outside the developed world, salaried employment is sometimes not the answer to career success, since these jobs tend to not be as developed as they are in other countries. On the other hand, returns to capital, and skilled contribution to those returns, can be highly appealing.
Of course, no one can reasonably advise you without actual, useful details.
Yes, I live in the middle east and most likely will continue to circle around these countries. My final destination might be Dubai as that is the only progressive place in the GCC where I can open up my own practice/business.
I am thinking long-term, I might be out of work for some more time and be a stay at home mom. But I would certainly consider the possibility of part-time work or a project based work related to my field - business, accounts, finance.
Anything related to investment and CFA and Big 4 might not be possible to work in anymore due to long work gap and brutal competition and work hours in this field.
Thus, I am debating between MBA (to show accredition for consulting projects) and CMA (to show competence in finance and accounts).
Thank you for input so far. I would like to know from women with family as in how are they planning and managing their finance career.
She’s posted here years before - she’s a stay home mom in an oppressed region. Sorry to hear this is still the situation - are you a local to the region or expat? I’m going to guess the former as if you were the latter, a) you would already have a near term exit strategy, and b) this is more of a discussion with your partner which will inevitably boil down to an earnings potential comparision.
Well, after CFA 3 years back, I did manage to get private projects (feasibility studies and financial models) from local businesses. Then, sensing some opportunity, I created website for myself to showcase my credentials and to be able to get more of such clients. No client for the past year
Thus, if it will be this slow, I want to use this time to educate/train myself further thinking long-term. Yes, we have no intention to stay in this country for too long anymore. The only reason I have been here is that my husband has a good job in terms of tax-free salary, growth, prospects of high ranks.
Update: My Canadian immigration is in process. I know I know the job market for finance is really tough and bad there but that is the only country that has eased the immigration policies. In any case, at least I will have some job some work some start-up there as compared to my current situation.
That brings up new questions for me. What path should I target for there? Finance jobs? Any consulting job? I feel I can not be picky there (and specially given my local experience as well as work gap) so I really haven’t figured out any path yet. I am planning to visit for a month, after the process is over, to gauge the market and prospects. and dare I say something not overly demanding?
Meanwhile I thought of CSC courses but found out the certificate will expire in two years, so it is pointless to do those now.
Any advices? anyone who was in similar boat and succeeded in carving out a path please share your experience.
Is there a specific location within Canada you’re targeting? I get the sense that if you’re open to both location and industry there are sufficient opportunities (for instance look at corp dev roles at large retailers, etc.). Best of luck and hope it works out.
Yes, I am targeting Ontario as most of the finance jobs are there. Besides, I have a few relatives and friends there (which will, hopefully, make settling down there easy).
Not getting much responses now so I might as well start a new thread.
