CFA Level 1 in June 2015 while pursuing my undergrad. Possible?

Question

Hello everyone, I'm doing my undergrad from Nottingham Business School in Finance, Accounting and Management and I've just finished my first year.

I'm interested in finance as a field, and while my undergrad degree is great, I do not enjoy the modules as much unless they have a financial element to them (like Business Finance or Financial Management). I want to get into Financial Consultancy when I graduate so I have been considering starting my CFA Level 1 and giving it in June 2015.

Reasons:

1) I absolutely love finance, I'm not doing it simply because it is the gold standard, but because I actually love this field of study.
2) I have plenty of free time and I figure it'll be harder studying with a job and having a 10hour+ working day.

The question I have is, most people pursuing their CFAs seem to be professionals with lots of experience and alot of people have been discouraging saying the CFA is too hard and you might not pass all three levels.

So this seems like the best place to ask, is it really that impossible to give L1 and preferably L2 in the two years I have before graduation? It seems like them more logical choice to me since I have all the time in the world, I've given a look at the Kaplan Schweser material and passing L1 does not seem that unachiveable to me?

Thanks!

Farooq · Answer

Hello @Syavash. Well, I will tell you that I am from Pakistan and the overall environment is a lot more skeptic about anyone thinking to do CFA in here. I had dreamed about CFA since I was like 19 but due to such views I could not start. Currently I am in my MBA (quality wise it may not be equal to an undergraduate course of a college like yours). Luckily, two semesters back I had a CFA qualified teacher for corporate finance course (he passed all levels in first go). I asked his views and he was the first person who said "why not" and he told me that if I study there is no reason why I should not clear CFA without any difficulty. In short, there is no reason why you should listen to any skeptic views and why you can not clear CFA. Its not a gamble. If you are committed and ready to work hard you will pass. Regarding the professional issue, even if they are, my view is that no one can be a professional in economics, accounts, derivatives and portfolio at the same time. They may have a slight advantage in terms of experience but on the bright side you have a lot more time. Finally, as far as I have understood, it does not matter what experience you have, its about the CFA course. You do it as advised here or similar forums and you should not worry about professionals.  However, do check whether you fulfill the entry requirements for CFA or not. I am not sure but in my knowledge the minimum requirement is 4 years bachelors degree.Lastly, as I am new to this so I am not sure how others view this, but to me CFA is very possible and being a non professional is no issue.Hope it helps.

Syavash · Answer

> @Farooq said:
> Hello Syavash. Well, I will tell you that I am from Pakistan and the overall environment is a lot more skeptic about anyone thinking to do CFA in here. I had dreamed about CFA since I was like 19 but due to such views I could not start. Currently I am in my MBA (quality wise it may not be equal to an undergraduate course of a college like yours). Luckily, two semesters back I had a CFA qualified teacher for corporate finance course (he passed all levels in first go). I asked his views and he was the first person who said "why not" and he told me that if I study there is no reason why I should not clear CFA without any difficulty. In short, there is no reason why you should listen to any skeptic views and why you can not clear CFA. Its not a gamble. If you are committed and ready to work hard you will pass. 
> 
> Regarding the professional issue, even if they are, my view is that no one can be a professional in economics, accounts, derivatives and portfolio at the same time. They may have a slight advantage in terms of experience but on the bright side you have a lot more time. Finally, as far as I have understood, it does not matter what experience you have, its about the CFA course. You do it as advised here or similar forums and you should not worry about professionals.  
> However, do check whether you fulfill the entry requirements for CFA or not. I am not sure but in my knowledge the minimum requirement is 4 years bachelors degree.
> 
> Lastly, as I am new to this so I am not sure how others view this, but to me CFA is very possible and being a non professional is no issue.
> 
> 
> 
> Hope it helps.

Hello Farooq, thanks for the words of encouragement. I like your point about having more time, that's what I am trying to capitalize on. Thanks for the advice and I'll definitely begin with my CFA and sit for the June exam.

Yes CFA does require a bachelor's degree however they will let me give L1 if I am within 18months of finishing my bachelor's and I am getting to that point now, like you I have been waiting to jump on the CFA bandwagon for quite sometime and it's finally possible now.

Oh and all the best with your MBA, its not the college that matters but what you get out of it, so all the best!