Getting started as a Financial Analyst?
Question:
I've always been an analytical and thorough person so I feel a career as a financial analyst in a corporate setting (as opposed to an investment bank) would suit me well. I've already taken about 6 accounting classes and have gotten A's in all of my classes. The only problem is, I don't know where to get started. What's the best way into the position?
My options at the moment are:
* Get an Associates Degree in Accounting
* Get a second Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Finance
* Get a Masters Degree in Accounting
* Take the CPA exam w/o the required work experience
Out of all of these options, what's the best choice in getting hired?
Answer:
I believe your best option is to obtain your bachelors degree in accounting/finance. Inherently, this is a more attractive degree due to the amount of education obtained. Furthermore, any respectable company will require a bachelors degree for a financial analyst position.
While the other two options are not bad, they will not help you greatly so I would do them only if it is in addition to the second bachelors degree. Passing the CPA exam without the work experience will not obtain you your certification, which is the true "resume value" so you would have only passed a test and would have an interest dinner conversation piece at best.
The masters degree in accounting is also nice as a supplement to your bachelors degree, but entirely unnecessary. Most firms/corporations you talk with are not interested in a graduate degree unless it is specifically applicable to the position, which for a financial analyst position it is not.
Those are just my thoughts.. :-)
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