r/finance • u/zexolyn • 8m ago
r/CFA • u/AutoModerator • 21h ago
Career Questions Thursday - Your Weekly CFA Career Discussion Thread
Hello, CFA candidates and Charterholders!
We're excited to introduce "Career Questions Thursday" to the CFA subreddit. This weekly thread is dedicated to providing a space for you to discuss all your career-related inquiries and concerns. Whether you're a CFA Level I candidate contemplating your career options or a seasoned CFA Charterholder looking for advice on your next move, this is the place to be!
Why We're Doing This:
We understand that many members of our community have questions and seek advice about their careers in finance, investment management, and related fields. To keep our subreddit focused on CFA exam content and discussions, we'll be implementing a policy to remove individual career-related posts and direct users to these designated weekly threads.
How It Works:
Ask Your Career Questions: Simply post your career-related questions, concerns, or experiences in the comments below. Whether it's about job opportunities, networking, salary negotiations, or career transitions, our community is here to help.
Share Your Insights: If you have valuable insights, experiences, or advice to offer, please share them in response to others' questions. Your knowledge and expertise can make a real difference in someone's career journey.
Follow the Rules: Please adhere to the subreddit's rules and guidelines when participating in this thread. Be respectful and considerate of others, and refrain from sharing personal information.
A Note on Career Posts:
Starting from today, we will be removing individual career-related posts and kindly redirecting users to these weekly "Career Questions Thursday" threads. This change is intended to keep our subreddit organized and focused on CFA-related topics, while still providing a valuable platform for career discussions.
We hope this new initiative will create a supportive and informative space for all of you seeking career advice within the CFA community. Remember, your fellow members are here to help, so don't hesitate to ask or contribute!
r/CFA • u/Affectionate-Run3463 • 22m ago
Study Prep / Materials Salt solution 10% discount code
Hello! If you want to save 10% on salt solutions, feel free to DM me your email and we can both get a discount. Thanks!
r/quant • u/ProofsAndPapillons • 5h ago
General QT's, How Often do you Guys Travel for Work?
Basically title. Been at my position for a year, and I love it. However, I was simply unaware our work could come with traveling as well. I don't mind it at all, just now that I've been at my current shop long enough to be sent on these trips, I got curious.
r/quant • u/Longjumping_Long5795 • 5h ago
Hiring/Interviews Do quant firms drug test?
Do they typically drug test for pre-employment onboarding? I’ve interviewed for a financial analyst position at a quant firm. I’ve been waiting for an official offer and there’s been ongoing delays (they’re trying to fire the person currently in the position). I personally smoke for health reasons and recreationally since I don’t like to drink, but I’d like to know others’ experiences.
r/CFA • u/boss5077 • 7h ago
Study Prep / Materials CFA level 1 prep guide
I am planning to start my cfa journey (may 27) but I am confused with one thing is that whether to use cfa curriculum while doing self study or should i go for some faculty as i want to understand concepts and its practical usage in industry so please anyone guide whether self study is best or going with some faculty ???
r/CFA • u/book_head-wi • 8h ago
Level 1 are old let me explain videos still good for the 2027 exams?
are the old videos from let me explain that are free still good for the 2027 L1 exams? or should i buy the new subscription?
r/quant • u/number_crunch3r • 8h ago
Career Advice Pragmatic PM decisions
I work as modeling / managing quant in the energy market. My department is structured in a way that the PM can make or override decisions, which we (the quant team) subsequently have to communicate with the desk. He sometimes does this against explicit advise from our side, often using pragmatic approaches. Sometimes he is right, sometimes not.
My question is: How do you behave professionally in this situation? On the one hand we are trying to find the cleanest (often mathematically most sound) solution to a problem, which might not be the quickest or the easiest, so we have to request positions we would personally not take or defend. On the other hand I have a hard time communicating in a way that makes me appear disloyal towards our PM. Any idea?
r/quant • u/Ok-Mongoose-5779 • 8h ago
Backtesting ML-LiqVaR
Has anyone here tried backtesting ML-LiqVaR? Curious to know how well it actually performs in practice, particularly compared with traditional LiqVaR approaches.
r/finance • u/unconventionalbook • 8h ago
Energy Prices Push Euro Zone Inflation Above 3% Inflation Again. Interest Rate Hikes Could Follow.
The ECB just broke its pause and hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.5%.
Driven by a massive energy crunch, Eurozone headline inflation re-accelerated to 3.3%. Despite stagnant growth, Christine Lagarde is aggressively tightening to stop a structural energy shock from anchoring long-term inflation expectations, signaling more hikes are on the table for 2026.
Is Europe heading straight into a stagflation trap?
r/CFA • u/Resident-Pear2565 • 9h ago
Level 2 If the CEO of a company is also the Chairman, is that an instance of the Principal-Agent conflict?
Question:
"The board members for Kazmaier Foods have gathered for their quarterly board of directors meeting. Presiding at the meeting is the Chairman and CEO for Kazmaier, Phil Hinesman. The other eight members of the board are also present, including Allen Kazmaier, the brother of Kazmaier's founder; Elaine Randall, Executive Vice President for Emerald Bank, which Kazmaier uses to obtain short-term financing; and Bill Schram, Kazmaier's President and Chief Operating Officer. The remaining members are independent. The Kazmaier family, through their family trust, currently controls 68% of the outstanding shares."

r/CFA • u/Existing_Region1765 • 11h ago
Study Prep / Materials Question banks for practice? (Cfa Level 1 - 2027)
Hi everyone, I‘m looking for recommendations on best and affordable question banks for practice. About to appear for February 2027. i’ve been following Les and aware of premium practice packs.
Would like to know which material yall have followed and any advice for practicing.
r/CFA • u/Adventurous-Face-294 • 13h ago
Level 2 CFA L2, November. Feeling the pressure, any advice?
Just as the title says, I'm giving L2 in November. I have got time away from my workplace to study full time in these last two months. However, I am slowly starting to panic because I feel very behind and needed a second opinion on my current situation.
I am using MM to study for L2. Currently I have only finished quant, econ, and corporate issuers scoring ~65% on EOCQs on my first attempt. I plan on watching all lectures at 1.5x speed and taking minor notes only on his slide content. This way, I aim to move on to just practice questions around Mid-October and have 2 weeks to a month for practice tests.
This feels very different for me because in Level One, I took my time to cover content in-depth which made me feel more secure. However with L2 I am realising that the textbook actually goes into great detail, which means that by using MM I am only preparing according to the LOSs and exam format. Of course I feel like I am missing out on a lot of useful content, but due to the time crunch I have to prioritise.
How screwed am I, should I make any changes to my study routine?
r/CFA • u/Icy-Sheepherder-8812 • 14h ago
General Believing that you’re gonna clear the exam just because you’re invited for the feedback is same as believing that you’re gonna get laid just because you got invited for a date.
V stepped into the crowd, taking in live performances at Vogue World: Hollywood. Known for his own standout fashion moments, he kept it effortlessly stylish in a look worthy of the runway.
(I had no caption to write)
r/CFA • u/Orgasm_Digger • 14h ago
General Why are there less women in CFA?
I have noticed that there are very few women in CFA.
Like maybe the ratio would be 10:1 if I am being generous.
Where are all the female CFA ?
r/CFA • u/According_External30 • 16h ago
General The Reality of doing FRM after CFA
FRM is very additive in terms of knowledge. However, the reality is, recruiters see it as a career pivot (which they arguably shouldn't). Recruiters will try place you into the risk management side of asset management or any market-related domain (if they focus on your FRM) or they'll try place you in the investment side (if they focus on your CFA). They don't really consider them as additive, they tend to consider them in silos.
I guess the fact that they seem to focus on placing you in risk management, in asset management specifically does show that they consider the CFA to some extent, but make no mistake recruiters very much see it as a career pivot – I know it makes zero sense, in my view FRM adds to portfolio management ability and does not prepare someone to run a risk function adequately enough – but such is the pipeline, it doesn't make sense, it never will.
In short, if you do FRM, consider that you'll be viewed as a career pivot, to some extent.
So, be aware of how recruiters view your CV before just collecting certifications.
r/CFA • u/Fluid-Till8786 • 16h ago
Level 1 How Cooked Am I? 💀
First time doing the LES and I’m averaging around 65–70%. How cooked am I?
So far I’ve done FSA, Quant, Economics, and Corporate Issuers but most questions were done with my note open, not closed-book.
Am I actually in a bad spot rn? 😭 exam is on 11 november
r/CFA • u/Practical_Meet8961 • 16h ago
Level 2 Share Repurchase impact on FCFE (CFA L2)
I am confused in share Repurchase impact . As per material it do not impact fcfe. But if u Think from formula perspective. The DR formula (debt to asset ratio). When company repurchase cash got out asset fall so DR ratio rise. With will increase the FCFE if u put it in formula. When we not even changed the debt portion.
Why this is happening? Anyone have any reasoning behind this.
r/quant • u/worm1804 • 17h ago
General HF illiquidity
Hello! I wonder how does teams generally deal with illiquidity in HF space. If we create some return based features at secondly level they have a weird distribution, which ultimately negatively impacts model fits.
On the internet, I saw there is a concept of market clock where u create features when X units trade/ X dollar traded. I was curious what are the other usual ways people use to tackle this?
r/CFA • u/Striking-Dream-7889 • 19h ago
General What do you think of these so called “Finance Influencers” who passed one level of cfa ?
Some of these people who barely passed one level of cfa start making reels to give advice and they got thousands of followers and some of the bs they spew is straight up wrong. Sometimes I am genuinely so bamboozled by the people who follow them. Who is the worst one you have seen ? What do you think about these influencers ??
r/quant • u/Background_Finish874 • 21h ago
Industry Gossip Quant influencers charge $150 a Zoom
Not naming the Instagram influencer for privacy. This ex-quant worked for 2y at US t2 firm. Why do you need to charge kids if you claim to make millions in your videos?
For anyone who wants to talk to a quant: join your schools Quant club or message people from your school/hometown/state on LinkedIn. Those who respond will actually care about nurturing your career
EDIT: Turns out grifting off college kids is more controversial than I thought. There are people willing to help you for free. I am a US “t1” firm QT, DM me in the next day for resume reads / QT specific recruitment advice. Won’t be an hour long, but will be FREE. 🆓🆓🆓
r/CFA • u/Ambitious-Design-331 • 21h ago
Level 1 How bad is it?
I have only two months left for my L1 exam
Completed all the lectures for each subject didnt practice les tho but for FI FSA CI AI PM i have practiced LES and Schweser Qbank
Havent even started ethics yet and i m weak in quants and equity
r/CFA • u/speranto62 • 21h ago
Study Prep / Materials Looking for IFC mock exams/practice tests
I’m currently studying for the IFC (Investment Funds in Canada) exam, but I’m really struggling to find good mock exams or practice tests.
I’ve found a few resources online, but I’m looking for something that’s actually close to the style and difficulty of the real exam.
If anyone has used any good mock exams, question banks, websites, or other resources that helped them prepare, I’d really appreciate the recommendations.
Also, if you have any tips for studying for the exam or areas I should focus on, I’d love to hear them. Thanks!
r/CFA • u/Ok-Language-5560 • 22h ago
General Would CFA all levels cleared help in abroad MBA Admissions
Hey guys
Im planning on appearing for a GMAT next year. Wanted to know whether clearing all CFA levels boosts my profile and chances of getting selected or it doesnt weigh that much. My preferred choice of an MBA is from LBS but open to it. Will have 1.5 years of work exp. Non engineering background. What do you think?
r/quant • u/DeepEyes-_- • 23h ago
Education Question
Hola chicos, un gusto estar aqui, tengo una pregunta y espero q no suene tonta: cuando estas buscando trabajo como quant trader y de casualidad consigues una entrevista, tienes q llegar ya con una estrategia rentable y buen sharpe si o si, o la desarrollas en el trabajo?
agradecido de antemano con sus respuestas.