I am a Finance student in my senior year and I am planning to take the CFA exam in June. I am hoping to learn about the benefits of becoming a CFA charter from Nepali CFAs or finance professionals in this forum? How does this certification compare with a CPA designation from the perspective of an international student in the US like myself? Is the CFA designation valued by companies, especially banks, in Nepal? Also, does being enrolled in the CFA program help in maintaining F1 status after the OPT period?

Your advice will be highly valued.

CFA is highly sought and respected "Professional Certificate/Degree" In the FINANCIAL WORLD!!
Whether you are in US, Nepal or other part of the world...if you have CFA (all levels (3) + 4 year of financial related work experience), you are soluble ANYWHERE.

No, enrolling in CFA doesn't help you be in status!!

P.S: Its best to give while you are in school (only seniors can apply, (or) Masters :-)...cause course is vast and too much studying and reading to do!!

Work and Study will drain you out, but not impossible!!(my own experience)

Thank you for your insights.

"Its best to give while you are in school (only seniors can apply, (or) Masters)"

So isn't there any sort of work experience requirement as an eligibility factor in taking the tests and get certified? I always thought you'd need X no. of yrs of work experience in the Financial world with a degree (UG or G) in a related field to validate the CFA cert...

Have a U.S. bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree .. Or be in the final year of your bachelor's degree program (Note: education information must be updated before progression to Level II)

Or have four years of qualified, professional work experience,
Or a combination of work and college experience that totals at least four years.

(Note: summer, part-time, and internship positions do not qualify)

To have a CFA you need to pass All the Level (1,2 and 3 ) and PLUS + 4 year of Qualified, Professional work experience (Financial)!!

Qualifying activities include being:  

Directly involved in the investment decision-making process or

Engaged in responsibilities and/or producing a work product that
informs or adds value to that process

(from CFA institute)

How does this (CFA) certification compare with a CPA designation: I don't think the CFA charter and the CPA certification are comparable. One is an apple and the other is an orange. But yes, both of them are respected well in professional services area.

I took the CFA Level 1 after completing my BBA in Finance, and I didn't have any direct full-time experience in finance/investment. But I was allowed to take the test. I am taking the Level 2 test in June 2010. I don't think it is "required" to have such experience before you take the test, but yes, you will need to satisfy the work experience requirement before you can apply for the CFA charter.

I am really sorry if my posts caused any confusion!!

And yes, sahilbryan said it correctly....I  meant the same thing too.... (pass all the levels and 4 year of work experience so you become CFA (CFA Charter)!!

best deal is to visit CFA website, all the information you need has been provided there!!

www.cfainstitute.org

It's great to see these many folks participating in this discussion with a genuine interest. I look forward for more discussion and knowledge sharing.

Also, FYI, there's a group in Facebook called "Nepalese Finance Professional", and I invite you guys to join that group.

Before you enroll for CFA, make sure that you have the drive to persevere for 3 years. It's a huge commitment. So think before you jump in. There are no credits for the partial completion...

That's correct. There's no such thing is John Anyone, CFA I or Jason Anywho, CFA II, etc.

4 years is the minimum if you are taking the exam, passing it, while working to fulfill your work experience requirement. But you know what? For people with a passion in investments, I think it's worth doing it. When I had to take the exam, I studied literally for more than two and a half months (without working) to pass the test even though my background was in Finance. So, I can tell you that it does need a lot of serious effort.

Anyone doing FRM here?

"परिश्रमको फल मिठो हुन्छ"
Commitment, Challenge and Return makes this journey pleasurable!!