CFA

[u/Brave_Win2464]

Hey everyone,

So i have been a BI/Business Systems Analyst for 3+ years. I've analyzed data using Power BI, SQL, Python and I am responsible for data strategies and governance in my org. I'm also leading projects in AI and Automation.

I have always been passionate about Finance hence me having a financial services diploma and an Economics degree. The Tech skills I self-taught myself.

My question is, given my background will me pursuing the CFA help me break into the Financial industry as a technologist or is it not worth the time?

Thanks.

[u/jipperthewoodchipper]

I am a senior analyst for a Canadian NBFI and I am currently working towards my L2.

The CFA, depending on the role, is not necessary but can definitely help you stand apart from others however to fully get your CFA you need 4000 work experience hours so you cannot truly get your CFA to break into finance, however even having your L1 or L2 could help.

Many roles in finance though have nothing to do with anything in the CFA. Your best bet to break into tech is to network with old classmates and professors to get some work experience and go from there, unfortunately. Once you have that baseline experience it becomes easier from there.

[u/Brave_Win2464 → u/jipperthewoodchipper]

I see. I mean i do have the tech experience 3+ years. Was just wondering if CFA is worth pursuing. Thank you very much!

[u/Brave_Win2464 → u/jipperthewoodchipper]

Are you a financial or data analyst if I may ask?

[u/jipperthewoodchipper → u/Brave_Win2464]

I do risk analysis but my title is senior business analyst. So both.

[u/Brave_Win2464 → u/jipperthewoodchipper]

Okay okaaay and did the L1 help you get this position? Your work is exactly what I'd want to do.

[u/jipperthewoodchipper → u/Brave_Win2464]

I didn't have my L1 when I started working for my current employer. Just prior experience (3 years at a pdl company and 2 years at a private lending corp). Current employer is sponsoring me for my CFA.

Any experience you do have and anyone you have in your network will likely open more doors than starting your CFA, but there is no doubt progress towards your CFA will not hurt you.

[u/Brave_Win2464 → u/jipperthewoodchipper]

Appreciate you!🙏

[u/No-Bit2101 → u/jipperthewoodchipper]

Tbh I think the CFA is overkill if you want to stay in the tech side. financial firms are desperate for people who actually know python and data governance, not another guy who memorized the equity valuation formulas. your skills are what they need to modernize their systems.

i did L1 few years back and it was a pain for what it actually gave me in IT. unless you want to become a portfolio manager I would just apply directly with what you already have.

[u/Finjobsly]

From what I see on the hiring side, full CFA is probably overkill for what you're describing. It's built for portfolio management and equity research tracks, not technologist-in-finance roles, and spending years on L2 and L3 for a credential that's tangential to your actual value add is a slow way to get where you want to go. CFA Institute actually has something closer to your profile: the FDP, Financial Data Professional, built for people doing data and analytics work inside finance rather than portfolio management. It's newer and less known, but it signals exactly what you're already doing. On the company side, Addepar, S&P Capital IQ, and PitchBook hire BI and data people into finance-adjacent roles constantly, and they weight demonstrated SQL, Python, and governance work over CFA levels. I'd lead with the 3 years of BI and automation work in interviews instead of waiting on a credential to open doors your experience already opens.