| Abstract | In the finance industry, job opportunities are so competitive that many may wonder what they could do to separate themselves from the rest of the competition. One tool of self-promotion is to obtain a Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) charter. Studies show that charterholders increase returns and reduce expenses for investment management firms, provide superior forecasting for investment banks, and add value to the stock market because their presence increases investor confidence. In addition, the global prestige and higher employability makes the required rigor of the program well worth it, and the increased compensation makes the CFA charter more valuable to the individual than obtaining an MBA degree. The CFA charter is the gold standard among financial analysts, and through the consolidation of research, data, and opinion, this paper presents a complete and comprehensive argument for why any person seeking a career in financial analysis should, without a doubt, seek to obtain a CFA Charter. |
