Popular Certifications For B-School Students

The MBA isn’t what it once was. There’s no doubt about it.

To paint a picture, 70% of MBA programs reported that their applications went down in 2018.

And while these estimates don’t necessarily mean the degree is now worthless, it’s important to note that b-schools and students need to adapt a new approach if they hope to have successful careers.

Jeff Thomson, a Senior Contributor at Forbes, recently listed out popular certifications b-school students can get to gain an edge.

“The fact is, businesses have begun to focus more on specific, in-demand skills to enhance general degrees,” Thomson writes. “In a competitive job market, candidates who are able to differentiate themselves through a certification stand out.”

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA)

One of the most popular certifications in accounting, Thomson says, is the CPA certification.

CPAs can find themselves in auditing, tax prep and services, consulting, and more.

“Though more general than other certifications, the CPA retains prestige in the finance profession and indicates that one has mastered the fundamentals of accounting,” Thomson writes.

CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST (CFA) 

Unlike the CPA, Thomson says, the CFA is a more specialized certification.

Ideal for those working investment management or financial analysis, the CFA can be helpful if you’re trying to secure a job with Wall street firms or hedge funds, Thomson says.

“The financial analysis component of the CFA shows employers the certification holder can think critically and strategically,” he writes.

CHARTERED ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ANALYST (CAIA)

If you want to get even more specialized than the CFA, you might want to consider the CAIA.

The CAIA focuses “specifically on investments other than equities and bonds, such as real assets, commodities, structured products, intellectual property and insurance-linked securities,” Thomson writes. “A more generalist financial analyst may not choose to become a CAIA, but it does offer a niche within the profession for those seeking a specialty or advantage.”

To check out the full list of certifications from Thomson, click here.

Sources: Forbes, Inside Higher Ed