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Pashya
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Loading up on certifications 07 Apr 2014, 04:30
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Just thinking out loud here. I occasionally come across LinkedIn profiles with a long string of certifications. What would be the rationale for getting a CFA, CPA, CMA, FRM and a host of other certifications? A CFA or a CPA can be justified as qualifying yourself as a subject matter expert for that field. But how do 5+ certifications add value to someone?
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domotron
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Loading up on certifications 07 Apr 2014, 05:37
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Pashya
Just thinking out loud here. I occasionally come across LinkedIn profiles with a long string of certifications. What would be the rationale for getting a CFA, CPA, CMA, FRM and a host of other certifications? A CFA or a CPA can be justified as qualifying yourself as a subject matter expert for that field. But how do 5+ certifications add value to someone?
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A long string of certifications usually doesn't add any value whatsoever. I tend to think people with a lot of certifications really don't have a clear idea of what they want to do and are collecting qualifications for the sake of it.
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Pashya
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Loading up on certifications 09 Apr 2014, 01:10
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domotron
Pashya
Just thinking out loud here. I occasionally come across LinkedIn profiles with a long string of certifications. What would be the rationale for getting a CFA, CPA, CMA, FRM and a host of other certifications? A CFA or a CPA can be justified as qualifying yourself as a subject matter expert for that field. But how do 5+ certifications add value to someone?

A long string of certifications usually doesn't add any value whatsoever. I tend to think people with a lot of certifications really don't have a clear idea of what they want to do and are collecting qualifications for the sake of it.
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Probably doesn't make financial sense but I suppose there could be other motivations. There are so many people out there doing it, so I'm just trying to gauge the rationale behind it.
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Loading up on certifications 09 Apr 2014, 07:10
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Most of the other certifications you mentioned are required for specific job functions. I have a close friend that works in restructuring and the number of acronyms after his name is astounding - of course they are all paid for and required by his employer.

CPA is useless if you are not an accountant

CFA is marginally beneficial but not worth the hassle unless you work in investment management, research or investor relations. Patently useless in IB, PE, VC, etc.
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Pashya
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Loading up on certifications 22 Apr 2014, 23:06
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All these certifications have their own niche areas that people like to show case. However, its unlikely for an individual to have the need to specialize in multiple avenues of business.

This makes me feel like people with a string of certifications either genuinely like acquiring knowledge, or don't mind putting in the efforts needed to showcase their knowledge of multiple business avenues.



chromium73
Most of the other certifications you mentioned are required for specific job functions. I have a close friend that works in restructuring and the number of acronyms after his name is astounding - of course they are all paid for and required by his employer.

CPA is useless if you are not an accountant

CFA is marginally beneficial but not worth the hassle unless you work in investment management, research or investor relations. Patently useless in IB, PE, VC, etc.
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