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How to Pass the CFA Exams

Life on the Buy Side

I have a confession: I failed the CFA Level II exam the first time I sat for it. Back then, they only gave the CFA Level II exam once per year, so I had to wait until the next June to retake it. To set the stage for my failure, I started a new job as an equity analyst after getting my MBA and had just passed Level I in December.

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The CFA for Investment Banking: Do the New Changes Make It Worthwhile?

Mergers and Inquisitions

I’ve now been writing about finance careers for almost 20 years, and the topic of the CFA for investment banking never seems to die. I first criticized the CFA in a 2009 article , which generated a lot of angry comments. But earlier in 2023, the CFA Institute announced the biggest changes to the program since it started.

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Fixed Income Research: The Overlooked Younger Brother of Equity Research?

Mergers and Inquisitions

While everyone seems to know about equity research and trading stocks, fixed income research gets far less attention. Equity Research vs. Fixed Income Research Common Myths What Do You Do as a Fixed Income Research Analyst or Associate? Each role has common analytical elements, but the specifics and deliverables differ (e.g.,

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Corporate Finance Jobs: Cozy Careers, But Bad “Plan B” Options

Mergers and Inquisitions

Corporate finance jobs at normal companies are bad … …if you’re using them to break into a deal-based field, such as investment banking , private equity , or venture capital , or as a “Plan B” if you interview around but do not get into one of these. The key questions that corporate finance teams answer also vary.

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07-11-2023 Newsletter: Diversity Events at Megafunds Have Started…

OfficeHours

Note that these tests are different from other ones you may have heard about like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams, which are offered by the CFA Institute. Where can I learn more about these exams? You can get into a proper upper-middle-market PE shop quite nicely from management consulting and investment banking alike.

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The Path to Success: How to Become an Investment Banker

OfficeHours

Further, you can consider obtaining relevant professional certifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, to enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise in finance and investment analysis. investment banking, private equity , VC, etc.) and how our process works.

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How to Prepare for Series Exams

OfficeHours

Note that these tests are different from other ones you may have heard about like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams, which are offered by the CFA Institute. investment banking, private equity , VC, etc.) Where can I learn more about these exams? and how our process works.