SOA vs. CFA

[aced]

Actuary vs. Chartered Financial Analyst

Which has the more recognized/lucrative designation?
Which has better exam materials/exam process?
Which one will get strange looks at the bar - you keep bees do you?

[vandyk30]

Actuary vs. Chartered Financial Analyst

Which has the more recognized/lucrative designation?
- If you were to sample a population of CFA charterholders, i'd bet that it would be biased by including more individuals who happen to be on wall street. The CFA charter is not what lands jobs. In comparison with the SOA, the CFA is less of a prerequisite, much more emphasis is placed on work experience in finance.


Which has better exam materials/exam process?
- You are comparing apples with oranges, this entirely depends on what you plan to do with the designation.


Which one will get strange looks at the bar - you keep bees do you?
- I'd vote that SOA is more nerdy - you wont be at the bar, you'l be home studying for a dozen exams.