CFA Confidential: What It Really Takes to Become a Chartered Financial Analyst

Summary of the book in one of the author's sentences: "Take tests, take tests, take tests. Now, take more tests" But read the book! Well done C[h]ampion!

Good little book on the CFA. However, all the information available in the book is freely available on forums, so if I were you, search google instead and buy some chocolate.

Gregory Campion, CFA is not a gifted writer, but he is a gifted motivator. I read all of the prior reviews on this book prior to purchasing (the bottom line is that Mr. Campion's book is definitely worth purchasing) and my summation is that the 5 star ratings are a bit too glowing, and the substandard reviews are far too critical.Essentially, there are two books on the market now that are written by recent CFA charterholders, which makes their "take" on the CFA process more relevant to pre- and existing CFA candidates. Rachel Bryant's book - Direct Path to the CFA Charter - is a far more detailed "blueprint" on how to pass each of the three CFA exams. Nearly twice the length of Mr. Campion's book (though still an easy read), she offers a multitude of very specific recommendations not contained in the CFA Confidential, written from the perspective of someone who actually passed each level on her first attempt.However, what Mr. Campion offers in this worthwhile book is also of value: it is more of a psychological blueprint on how to pick oneself off the canvas in the face of failure in order to persevere through this difficult process (relevant to most readers is that nearly all CFA candidates fail at least one level). He has the (not unusual) distinction of having failed the exams as often as he passed them. His emotional perspective on the ups and downs of the process are very captivating - I sighed out loud when reading the section of the book where he describes the email he received from the CFA institute notifying him of his failure. Following this disappointment, he appropriately titles one of the final chapters "Back in the Ring" to describe his third attempt to pass Level 3. I could actually here the old ACDC song in the background "Back in the ring............to take another swing" as he described the final leg of his CFA journey.I found myself personally relating to Mr. Campion on several levels - as I will also be embarking on this journey with an intense family dynamic (i.e. spouse and children). He comes across as an everyday professional seeking some additional respect in the workplace, likeable, and someone you could enjoy a cold birch beer with on your front porch or back deck on a summer afternoon. What he lacks in writing prose, he makes up for in engaging the reader to believe that normal people can achieve a CFA charter if they work hard enough.While perhaps not intended by the two CFA charterholder authors, Mr. Campion and Mrs. Bryant are an excellent complement to one another.

This is required reading if you are thinking of pursuing the CFA designation. Greg is very honest and upfront about what it takes to pass these brutal exams as well as a few strategic points which are not to be overlooked. The chapter on CFA vs. MBA will be quite useful to those thinking about a career in Finance and which option to choose or perhaps both. Having passed 2 of these exams and getting ready for Level 3 exam next June, I can tell you that many of his suggestions are right on point.

I thoroughly enjoyed Greg's book. Since I'm not in finance myself I have never actually known anyone who holds the CFA charter nor anyone who's actually taken one of the exams either, so his honesty and openness about his own struggles with the path to the charter were illuminating to me personally.. I also gained some very practical tips about timelines to preparation, etc. I think this book occupies a unique or niche space in this particular area. I'd encourage anyone involved with the CFA pursuit either past or present to read the book. Thanks for writing it Greg!!