Skip to: Content
Skip to: Section Navigation
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

Stalla Review for the CFA Exams




Days until the June '09 Exam:

150


Earn Graduate Credit the Stalla Way

Earn Your MBA, MF or MAFM while Preparing for the CFA® Exam

You have a unmatched opportunity to earn your MBA, Master of Finance (MF), or Master of Accounting and Financial Management (MAFM) degree while preparing for your CFA Exam with Stalla.

Keller's Graduate School of Management and dozens of other universities have teamed with Stalla to offer their students graduate credit or other assistance in preparing for the CFA Examinations while completing degree or certificate programs.

To obtain additional information about Keller's MBA or MAFM program, visit Keller programs.

For information about other university partnerships with Stalla, please contact Lisa Tang by e-mail: Ltang@stalla.com

CFA, MBA, or Both? Consider Your Choices.

If you want to work in a general business field outside of finance, an MBA degree is a good choice. If you plan on a career in corporate finance or the investment management-related professions, you should give serious consideration to achieving the CFA charter either by itself or in addition to an MBA.

In contrast to a general business administration degree, the CFA charter is a targeted credential for investment management professionals. In fact, the CFA charter has become almost mandatory for investment analysts and portfolio managers.

Graduate-level study

While the CFA charter is not a master's degree, the CFA curriculum is a graduate level curriculum. In fact, colleges and universities around the world, such as Keller, are increasingly adopting portions of the CFA curriculum in their graduate-level degree programs, enabling individuals to pursue a master's degree while preparing for their CFA Examinations.

Consider the return on your investment

Even if you anticipate no salary differential between the MBA and CFA credential, the net present value of the CFA charter is positive. Of course, the CFA charter combined with an MBA or other finance-related master's degree may provide a substantial advantage over either alone. As noted earlier, charterholders out-earn by 18 percent those with MBAs only, and the most lucrative compensation figures were for those with both the CFA charter and an MBA.

Weigh the costs and benefitsWeigh the costs and benefits

In terms of cost, the CFA charter represents a comparatively minimal investment in post-graduate study. Assuming early registration for each exam and a comprehensive exam preparation program, such as Stalla's, your total outlay for the CFA designation will typically range between $5000 and $7500. In contrast, the cost of an MBA can run between $20,000 and $100,000 or even more.

 

In the end, if you face this choice, you must weigh the benefits and advantages of each option against its cost and requirements and then decide what's best for you and your career.