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• Anup, the CFA curriculum is indeed more "concentrated and specialized" than any MBA curriculum. That doesn't necessarily make the CFA more valuable. "Biscuit," above, said it best: "A CFA is great but very specific to certain fields within Finance."  ...especially, Asset Management (more the long-only firms, but hedge funds to some extent,  too).  A CFA also is a powerful tool in sell-side research. But my impression is that an MBA is often a prerequisite there, whereas a CFA may not be strictly required. For many other desirable areas of finance, especially investment banking, an MBA is required while the job specs rarely mention a CFA. So the bottom line is, whether you're talking about a CFA or an MBA, the influence varies with the business segment or specialty. Also be aware that not all MBAs are created equal. A top-5 MBA carries more overall clout and prestige than a CFA. While someone above posted that he holds a top-10 MBA and it's getting him "nowhere," just about every headhunter and career counselor I've talked to says just the opposite - a top-school MBA should get you an interview anywhere (though not necessarily an offer). 
  - Jon Jacobs, eFinancialCareers News

  Jon Jacobs 14 Jul 2008

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• I hold all three....and they aren't even related....each one offers different challenges & approaches...

  SAM 09 Jul 2008

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• No substitute for a top 5 MBA in my opinion.  I hold a CFA, though I don't think it has opened any doors for me.

  GA 12 Jul 2008

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