04-08-2009, 12:29 AM
Dear 1337
You are correct in saying accounting is more stable profession. However, monetary benefits with future prospects in Finance are much more. Yes, a mix of accounting and finance is a better option.
You have mentioned that you are completing MBA Finance, so you have base in finance to prepare for CFA. Now, there could be at-least following three options.
Option 1 Get admission in MS Accounting in US, and after getting degree, apply for jobs in US in CPA firms, and then complete CPA. After CPA, if you want, you can do CFA too. It would be little longer option, but certainly provide you vast exposure, experience, and qualification.
Option 2 Get another MS Finance from US, try to get jobs there, also write CFA either in USA or in Pakistan. One major demerit of both option 1 & 2 is, you may become tired and stuck-up with other things like job experience, immigration status, saving money, marriage, family liabilities etc. and many other distractions which push you away from studies. Eventually you would end-up without getting CFA.
Option 3 Discard any MS option from USA, leave any opportunity to go there and get exposure, but save energies and time. Just start CFA in Pakistan and complete it. Straight forward option. This alone should be enough for success in life.
There are many other relevant factors that you would have to consider in all above options like what is you age now, when you would be able to actually start MS program in USA and in what age you would finish that. Would you be married by that time. What are the financial resources you have for MS options or how would you complete and finance your MS programs there i.e. by doing part time jobs with studies or by financing from your parents etc. Would you and your parents be able to delay your marriage by the time you achieve those objectives/ studies. There are many other considerations too.
It is not necessary that if someone only has a degree from very reputable school then he/she can get the job. Securing a job also depends upon what sort of contacts you have. In my personal opinion, your own luck is the biggest factor. Your knowledge, presentation in interview and resume, turn-out, communication skills, mobility among States, number of jobs applied are some other factors too. After all, graduates of less than top 50 schools also get professional jobs. Off-course you should try to get admission in best US schools, but still less than top 50 may work too. I believe if you already have good GPA and get good GMAT/ GRE etc. scores than you may get admission in top 50 schools.
In short, CFA should be your top priority, in my personal view. If you can go for MS in USA, without sacrificing CFA in long run, then you may try MS before CFA. Otherwise if you calculate that you would not be able to do CFA if you go for MS, then perhaps you should try CFA first.
I hope it helps.
Regards
You are correct in saying accounting is more stable profession. However, monetary benefits with future prospects in Finance are much more. Yes, a mix of accounting and finance is a better option.
You have mentioned that you are completing MBA Finance, so you have base in finance to prepare for CFA. Now, there could be at-least following three options.
Option 1 Get admission in MS Accounting in US, and after getting degree, apply for jobs in US in CPA firms, and then complete CPA. After CPA, if you want, you can do CFA too. It would be little longer option, but certainly provide you vast exposure, experience, and qualification.
Option 2 Get another MS Finance from US, try to get jobs there, also write CFA either in USA or in Pakistan. One major demerit of both option 1 & 2 is, you may become tired and stuck-up with other things like job experience, immigration status, saving money, marriage, family liabilities etc. and many other distractions which push you away from studies. Eventually you would end-up without getting CFA.
Option 3 Discard any MS option from USA, leave any opportunity to go there and get exposure, but save energies and time. Just start CFA in Pakistan and complete it. Straight forward option. This alone should be enough for success in life.
There are many other relevant factors that you would have to consider in all above options like what is you age now, when you would be able to actually start MS program in USA and in what age you would finish that. Would you be married by that time. What are the financial resources you have for MS options or how would you complete and finance your MS programs there i.e. by doing part time jobs with studies or by financing from your parents etc. Would you and your parents be able to delay your marriage by the time you achieve those objectives/ studies. There are many other considerations too.
It is not necessary that if someone only has a degree from very reputable school then he/she can get the job. Securing a job also depends upon what sort of contacts you have. In my personal opinion, your own luck is the biggest factor. Your knowledge, presentation in interview and resume, turn-out, communication skills, mobility among States, number of jobs applied are some other factors too. After all, graduates of less than top 50 schools also get professional jobs. Off-course you should try to get admission in best US schools, but still less than top 50 may work too. I believe if you already have good GPA and get good GMAT/ GRE etc. scores than you may get admission in top 50 schools.
In short, CFA should be your top priority, in my personal view. If you can go for MS in USA, without sacrificing CFA in long run, then you may try MS before CFA. Otherwise if you calculate that you would not be able to do CFA if you go for MS, then perhaps you should try CFA first.
I hope it helps.
Regards
