BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

CFA, CPA credentials

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:27 pm

CFA, CPA credentials

by mattl19 » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:11 pm
How much emphasis do schools put, if any, on professional credentials such as CFA, CPA, etc. Im particularly interested in what schools think of applicants with Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations and if I should highlight that in my application process.

Is the CFA something that really stands out on a grad app or is it just letters after my name?
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:08 am
Location: London, UK
Thanked: 2 times
GMAT Score:740

by HelenF » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:15 pm
It's not uncommon for applicants to have the CFA, so of itself, it's not something that is going to particularly differentiate you. Where it might have more of an impact is if it's not something that would be usual for someone than your professional background. This impact could be positive, eg if its a concrete sign of progress towards your career goals, or negative, eg if it seems completely unconnected to what you've done and what you wnat to do and so suggests lack of focus, and in either case you then need to think about how you position it in your application.

Even if the CFA is something completely usual for your background and doesn't differentiate you, it is evidence of ability, application and commitment to your own development.

I hope this helps.

Helen
Helen Foster | Veritas Prep Admissions Consultant | www.VeritasPrep.com
Top
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 290
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:36 pm
Location: Washington, DC
Thanked: 28 times
Followed by:2 members

by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:05 pm
This is an interesting question because it gets to your ability to do MBA-level work and it also gives a kind of "no-nonsense" stamp to your descriptions of your work experience.

Business school attracts all kinds of folks but the fact is that most still have business / accounting / finance undergraduate degrees. Further credentials that people might get before going to business school include CPAs, CFAs, and various NASD licenses (e.g., Series 7).

In my mind, a CFA is different from a CPA designation and a NASD license. One typically earns the CFA while working and the coursework is more akin to graduate school than the coursework required for a CPA (which can be earned w/ just an undergraduate degree). In fact, as you probably know, for some folks in the finance business a CFA is considered a "substitute MBA."

All this is to say....both a CFA and a CPA are great credentials to have and, in my opinion, do set you apart. They don't make you totally unique but they are a very nice boost to your application.

I hope this helps--

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1