Dawgie

Correct. Yes you need 4 years of relevant work experience too. I'm taking it in December. Been studying for a month now. Also this thread is hilarious. CPA is a lot easier than the CFA since you can take it in 4 separate parts. CFA has so much information its ridiculous.

JHB619

Well, good luck to you Dawgie. Very tough exam especially Level 1. Are you a senior in college right now?

maxellis

Are you studying on your own or are you in a CFA program? My uncle got his CFA and said it wasn't as hard as people make it out (although it was still tough and many people don't pass). For him it was 9 months of a CFA class that met 4x a week in the evenings (they had recommended readings/problems for homework) and then he took two weeks off of work and studied leading up to the test. Then, 3 months later, the process began again for level 2.

Dawgie

That's pretty funny, he had to take a course for the CFA. He also spent 9 months preparing for it with assistance. Then he claims it's not that difficult? If it wasn't that difficult he would have crushed it in a few months self study.

Anyways, JHB619: Graduated, worked 1 year at Big 4 as an auditor while passing my CPA on my first try in a 4 month span. Now working as Financial Analyst at a top company. Started studying roughly mid September for CFA Level I.

arnold1

Dawgie - just curious what the salary difference is like at the Big 4 and now the financial analyst position. I myself am thinking of a similar route and have just started in public accounting. Am I right to assume you are making more currently?

Dawgie

I got laid off, I didn't go into private voluntarily. It's slightly less, since I work half the hours I worked at Big 4. I am quite lucky to have rebounded into a any job, especially at a top company. I'm sure the CPA helped.

AnyColour

We have found the origin of Dawgie's hostility towards accounting!

maxellis

He also had a family of 5 to provide for and had two sons under 4years old at the same time, jerk.

Dawgie

AnyColour, you haven't read any of my posts. I am planning on going back to Big 4, just not in the accounting practice. Not once have I not recommended going into Auditing. In all my posts I've talked about how much I loved being at Big 4, but never because of the work. Don't make any false accusations. I have no hostility towards accounting. It's boring and easy period.

taxguy

Dawgie notes, It's boring and easy period."

Responses: Funny, I have heard folks say that some parts of accounting can be boring,but I have NEVER heard someone say it was easy. Maybe you should try tax! I can assure you that you will get all the challenge that you want in tax research or in consulting engagements.

Dawgie

taxguy, I'm basing it on the multiple and various experiences I have had in accounting. Not once have I ever felt stressed or tired from working in accounting. Tax research is one of the fields I have not had any experience in. I have academically excelled in accounting in college. Destroyed the CPA. I have experience in tax returns, compiliations. internal audit (documentation, flowcharting, and evaluation of controls), audit (2 busy seasons intern/full time at Big 4), and corporate accounting/finance (What I currently doing). I'm going to be honest. It's not very difficult at all.

taxguy

Dawgie, I am impressed if that is your experience. Most folks I know find accounting challenging. Maybe you are just one REALLY smart dude.

a_mom

Maybe you should try representing clients with multiple operation in states and oversea, in front of IRS, to see if that's challenging enough.