Certifications & Licenses?

[tireg]

Hey, I am planning my goals for the next few years and was thinking about getting licensed and certified... here are the certs and licenses I've looked into so far:

- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
- Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC)

- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)

- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
- Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
- Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (CPA and PFS)
- Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

- Series 6, 7, 55, 63, 65

As far as helping my professional career, since I don't have an official track record yet, I think that having certification/licenses will help establish my credibility. Which certifications would you guys recommend getting and which ones to avoid? Which ones are absolutely needed in the field? Either as a trader or a money manager/fund manager?

 

[lvmvp]

its ok to have these certificate...(i have some too --- also bear in mind that for most of the Series, u need to be sponsored), but remember that formal qualifications dont make a good trader, so its better to start to trade your own hard-earned-money asap in order to learn how to master true "money-making"..........

Hey, I am planning my goals for the next few years and was thinking about getting licensed and certified... here are the certs and licenses I've looked into so far:

- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
- Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC)

- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)

- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
- Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
- Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (CPA and PFS)
- Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

- Series 6, 7, 55, 63, 65

As far as helping my professional career, since I don't have an official track record yet, I think that having certification/licenses will help establish my credibility. Which certifications would you guys recommend getting and which ones to avoid? Which ones are absolutely needed in the field? Either as a trader or a money manager/fund manager?

 

[Jack o'Clubs]

What he said, as far as trading is concerned. I can't remember any of the traders at my old place having quals other than those required by the FSA (UK regulator), and general solid academics.

But, fund manager is a very different kettle of fish: CFA is de rigeur.

 

[badgerbadger]

IF UK forget Series... come on hollywood

That certainly is a wide ranging kettle of exams - they really own't make a huge difference to your abilities if you're trading already, its like a bodybuilder doing a fitness course... its not worth it, just nice to have some letters after your name.

The Series Exams are not worthwhile for you, fund management your better off studying the IAC initially with the SII, as that allows you to advise deal and manage securities and derivative products which is what a junior investment manager would be doing, but your better off saving cash trading your own money, developing a good track record and sticking that on your CV as that more than Quals will help.

Whats your career objectives? Where do you hope to begin working, what type of role? And where do you want to be in 5, then 10 years. that may lead you to the right exam choice conclusion, hope this friday waffle helps mate

David

 

[tireg]

That certainly is a wide ranging kettle of exams - they really own't make a huge difference to your abilities if you're trading already, its like a bodybuilder doing a fitness course... its not worth it, just nice to have some letters after your name.

The Series Exams are not worthwhile for you, fund management your better off studying the IAC initially with the SII, as that allows you to advise deal and manage securities and derivative products which is what a junior investment manager would be doing, but your better off saving cash trading your own money, developing a good track record and sticking that on your CV as that more than Quals will help.

Whats your career objectives? Where do you hope to begin working, what type of role? And where do you want to be in 5, then 10 years. that may lead you to the right exam choice conclusion, hope this friday waffle helps mate

David

Thanks for the advise guys I posted that list b/c I was hoping to narow it down hehe. While it seems like an ambitious (and grueling) list of certs, I look to get many of them.

As far as track record, etc, of course this is not mutually exclusive to getting certified. I will be trading throughout, as I advance myself and my career so definitely a good thing.

Regarding career objectives: Well right now I'm 20 and attending University fo Washington, so I'm looking to get into business school (Applying this month).

I want to be working in a hedge fund or launch my own 5 years from now. Again, high goals, but I believe it to be within my realm of possibility. I have been talking to many people in the field, including current HF managers and traders, and right now I'm interning at Merrill Lynch. The largest barrier to my success for that will be to raise funds. So in the next few years I'll be working on promoting myself and raising funds, as well as proving myself by developing a track record. Admitedly, this is one barrier that I don't have a clear-cut solution to yet. But a lot can happen in 5 years

10 years down the line, when I'm 30, I want to be managing the hedge fund actively, but also have it fully developed enough that I have multiple managers/traders working with me, who specialize in different vehicles of trading and investing... I've been setting up a template for this as well.

While it is true Certs don't really do much as far as proving your mettle as a trader, I feel it would help me in my endeavors b/c it assures people that I'm certified to do what I'm doing... but again, nothing speaks as much as a solid consistent track record.

 

[badgerbadger]

I understand your ambitions, and it is good to aim high, but you really will not have the time, to study all of those and meet your 5 year goal, as Sun Tzu, the great military leader once said, concentrate on one ultimate goal rather than spreading yourself thinly across others. It is very true.

As an academic myself I understand your stance fully, as before i got into finance i spent some time accumulating every possible environmental institute membership in relation to my degree just to have letters after my name. It becomes in the end a little patronizing to future business associates when you list them and of the exasm you state i would reccomend you doing only the financial analyst as most of them will be similar and you could probably apply for an exemption to get a few more with the studies you will already have done. PLUS ..... its SUCH A WASTE OF WONGA, spend it in a brothel!

 

[mminoo]

Hey guys could you please advise.
I would like to opt for Series 3 exams, I believe it covers the derivatives part on commodities well suitable for trading, hedging and speculation by using futures and options. My broker recommends me this exam as it leads to becoming a CTA and attaining approved status for trading other people money (OPM).

There is also another certification available called Certified Hedge Fund Professional (CHP) http://HedgeFundCertification.com
Though I could not find which Board accredites CHP or its exams.

Could you comment which of these would be better suited for a trader+investor to remain independent with approved status to satify the Regulatory board to trade OPM. Please note I am not looking for qualification to get an job as any kind of fund manager or something similar just enough qualification to be of an Approved Status to trade/invest OPM. I would much appreciate advise and comments, from traders taking such exams or in similar situation or of an experienced / professional person.

Many Thanks
Minoo
(Hi Tireg would like to know of your progress and any advise you could spare)