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[221Against]

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Ting:  I think the CFA1 will help but really it’s just years of experience that will eventually overshadow your GPA.  I would just focus on the CFA and being the best player in the room at work  Having done the job (or the steps leading up to it if you are trying for that leg up) is a much stronger indicator of success than a GPA ever will.  If it’s me, I exclude it from the resume and give it to them only when asked.  Take a lesson from a car salesman….get them in the door (or I guess in our case it’s get IN the door with an interview) and then spin that shit like a Harlem Globetrotter!  Good luck 

[221Against]

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Hi all!  I’ve just started my planning process and I’m a bit ahead of schedule as I plan to start studying in July15 for the Dec15 exams.  Just finished the CPA exams so taking a well deserved 5-6 months off before I throw myself into fire once again.  I have a finance undergrad and a good hodge podge of Corp Finance, Accounting and consulting experience.  (MBA & CMA too).  At a bit of a crossroads in my career and thinking it will be so great to get back to my investments/public finance roots; hence the shot at the CFA.  See everybody around the forum!

[221Against]

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I think this is highly dependant on your study strategy.  I’m going to attempt a similar process to what worked for me on the CPA this year.  Attack high level, use the test bank to figure out the holes in my understanding and use the detailed material to fill in the gaps.  I think your strategy should vary though based on your background.  If you’ve never had a finance, accounting or econ class you will definitely have to spend more time in the detail to build the foundation….

[221Against]

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Just beginning the process for December now, and I know I’m a bit “behind” at just under 5 months, but with a total of 21 weeks, squeezing in an average of 16 hours a week of study time over 19 weeks (not including hours spent in final two week review) is not really that hard and I just can’t imagine needing more than that. I’ve got to believe that adding months to a study schedule has to begin to have a diminishing return of some sort and of course the point that it does is probably different for everybody.  I am a huge fan of mixing in everyday life into your study, so long as you can hold yourself accountable to a schedule and kick your ass if/when you begin to fall behind.  

Personally, I’m a little fortunate in that I have a zero OT job right now, no kids, a CPA (should help some with FRA) and a strong finance education that, while will definitely require some refreshing to be exam ready, won’t be starting from scratch.  Plan is to work it something like this:

Lunch study every day at work (5 hrs)
Stay late to study at work twice per week (6hrs)
Sat (4-8hrs..depending on the particular topic that week and how much time is necessary to catch up if behind)

This allows me:
2 work nights during the week to take care of laundry/chores, etc.
Fri nights with friends
Sat nights and Sun with Girlfriend/family/etc.  

I’m convinced that the key to passing is to blend studying in with life, but to be prepared (and prepare your loved ones) that the exam can and will take precedence at any given time if needed.  That way studying doesn’t feel like you are giving up anything, it’s just something else you do in your busy week; while at the same time are’t fading on the commitment.

[221Against]

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I’m a first timer Dec Lvl 1 so I have nothing proven yet.  Schweser just didn’t do it for me when I reviewed their stuff.  Decided to go with Wiley/Elan as a main course because it’s nice to have no expiration date and the material looks pretty solid, has live video lectures along with streaming (Plat is 200 off right now, bringing it down to the Gold price; which basically means you get free 11th hour set).  Going to supplement with Analyst Success for a different perspective, quick videos, supplement materials; it’s pretty cheap and level 1 includes includes level 2 and 3 right now.  CFAI books for end of chapter questions and to dig deeper into important subjects that are just not sticking.   Mock exams…I guess Ill take em wherever I can get em.  CFAI of course, supplemental from Schweser perhaps…

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Let me begin by saying I have zero CFA experience beyond what I have been picking up here over the last couple of weeks (and SO glad I found this place), so it’s a bit of an outsiders perspective as I don’t plan on sitting for level 1 until Dec 15.  I have, however just finished up the CPA exam.  I think a lot of people do the Dec/following June combo for level 1 and level 2, that’s definitely doable.  If I understand your post, however, you are considering studying for all four parts of the CPA AND CFA2 between Jan and May?  That’s insane.  It’s a stretch with just the CPA, adding a master’s course is pushing it, adding what is arguably the most difficult CFA exam as well and you are just begging to fail.  My advice would be to crank out the CFA2 Jun15 (assuming a pass in Dec), take the CPA Jul-Dec 15 and then back to CFA for Jun 16 exams.  Doing both at once is not only time consuming but it’s like playing tug of war with your brain as the two exams have two very different perspectives (outside of maybe a little overlap in the CPA FAR and BEC exams).  Whatever you decide to do, best of luck!

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I’m a CPA and still hate accounting  😐

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