CFA for a Startup CFO?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am wondering whether to start the CFA journey or not, according to my career path and current position. I would like to get your opinion on that :smile: 
I have a master in corporate finance, around 10 years of experience in financial control, and since about a year I am CFO of a young startup in the entertainment industry.

- I feel ok on the budgets/metrics/accounting part due to my previous experience, but I can personally feel that I have a lack of knowledge on the fundraising/financing part. Can the CFA help me with that? Or do you rather advise me to get into a specific course on investment/startup valuation/etc...?
- Is the course somehow focused (or covers) specificities of SaaS/internet startups ?
- Is the CFA certification only recognised on the job market when completing the 3 levels? What about when passing level 1 or 1 & 2 only?

Thanks a lot!
And best of luck for the ones passing the exam next week ! :wink:

Oli31 · Answer

Thanks so much Justing for your valuable advices :)

justing · Answer

Am a CFO at a small tech startup, in the process for my CFA. My thoughts:Oli31 said:- I feel ok on the budgets/metrics/accounting part due to my previous experience, but I can personally feel that I have a lack of knowledge on the fundraising/financing part. Can the CFA help me with that? Or do you rather advise me to get into a specific course on investment/startup valuation/etc...?Work experience has been my best guide on this. CFA might help you prepare more strongly for your proposals and argumentative points. I've not looked at courses, that might help but personally I'd advise getting a mentor, or mentors to help you through this.Oli31 said:- Is the course somehow focused (or covers) specificities of SaaS/internet startups ?No.Oli31 said:- Is the CFA certification only recognised on the job market when completing the 3 levels? What about when passing level 1 or 1 & 2 only?You can certainly talk about that (e.g. on LinkedIn), but unless you get all three there isn't much of an impression during say investor presentations.There is also a similar thread that you might find useful here: https://forum/.300hours.com/discussion/comment/18561