If you’ve always wanted to become a finance expert as well as a top business leader, then a MBA degree that prepares you to take the CFA exam might be the answer.
These programs help students gain the CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, certification while earning an MBA degree. It’s a winning formula if you’re struggling to choose between a CFA vs MBA.
While you can land top finance jobs with the CFA qualification alone, the additional MBA element enables you to access senior managerial roles.
Here’s how an MBA in Investment Management can help grads when entering finance jobs.
You can leverage your knowledge across finance and business
Employers are always on the lookout for attractive talent with a broad understanding of the finance and business world.
The MBA in Investment Management at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business, offered by the Goodman Institute of Investment Management, aims to help students develop their finance skills while becoming well versed in core business areas.
"The program imparts the holistic understanding of the CFA body of knowledge while earning an MBA degree," says Sarah Carey, manager at the Goodman Institute of Investment Management.
This is one of the reasons why Lebanese-born Wael Abou Ammar, a graduate of the program, decided to join the MBA in Investment Management.
As a former consultant at EY in Saudi Arabia, he wanted to switch careers into a finance-oriented role.
“The great thing about the program is that it makes you a well-rounded individual,” he says.
The MBA in Investment Management is a three-year program, but Wael chose an accelerated two-year version as he already had his CFA level one qualification.
The full three-year program prepares students to successfully pass their CFA exams by teaching content from the CFA curriculum.
Students combine these learnings with MBA content, such as organizational behavior, marketing, and strategic management.
While studying for an MBA in Investment Management, you can further your career
One of the highlights of the MBA in Investment Management programs at John Molson is that it is a full-time schedule on a part-time program.
This means that students can apply the learnings from their studies into their careers as they go.
“I learned the art of time managing from studying alongside my job,” Wael says.
During his studies in Montreal, he joined a small-cap investment management program at Concordia University as a research associate. In Canada, ‘small-cap’ refers to any company with a market value of below $5 billion.
“This really helped me gain hands-on experience while I studied the MBA in Investment Management,” he says.
In the first summer of the degree, he also completed an internship in impact investing—this is where he first discovered his passion for sustainability.
The John Molson CFA and MBA provides courses in topics such as Sustainable Finance and Sustainable Investment, which helped Wael delve deeper into his interests.
“The Sustainable Finance course discussed everything from why climate change is happening to different aspects of the sustainability field, emissions, and engagement with investors,” he says.
Wael (pictured) is excited about a career in sustainable finance or investment
There are opportunities to build valuable connections
Specialized MBA degrees, such as the MBA in Investment Management, are likely to attract a variety of people with one common goal: to understand the finance sphere from a business lens.
Across the past five years of the John Molson MBA in Investment Management, almost 60% of the study body has come from outside Canada. Many of these students bring along varied work experiences.
“So many students in the program are working in great jobs in finance so the program offers an opportunity to build an alumni network of helpful people.”
There are also opportunities to network with expert faculty in the program.
Wael’s connections with the director of the program even helped him land his first internship in Montreal.
An MBA in Investment Management can lead to a variety of finance jobs
Many students who join an MBA in Investment Management are likely to be interested in pursuing investment management jobs, but the program is far from limited to this career route.
Wael is using the learnings from his MBA in Investment Management to strengthen his career as a senior analyst at Fitch Ratings in Toronto.
As part of the Leveraged Finance team, he helps investors become more sustainable and channel money to more sustainable companies. He assesses the sustainability of companies from an Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) perspective.
While he’s postponed taking the CFA level two exam just yet, he explains that the MBA in Investment Management has prepared him well if he chooses to complete this qualification in the future.
There are also options to pursue sustainability within investment management, which he says is a potential avenue of interest.
“The main thing is that the program broadens your options as you’ve already studied the CFA material.”
He says he’s excited about his career in the sustainable finance sphere, adding that his learnings from his MBA in Investment Management have enabled him to launch an impactful and socially-conscious career in finance.
Concordia University: John Molson School of Business
Anthony
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25/11/2023
On Campus
Educational advancement
My time at Concordia College has been set apart by huge self-awareness. The steady instructors and staff have assisted me with fostering my abilities and information. The college offers a scope of administrations and extracurricular exercises, giving various open doors to understudies to reach out. In general, my involvement with Concordia has been positive and improving.
Student
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16/11/2023
On Campus
My growth
"My time at Concordia University has been marked by significant personal growth. The supportive teachers and staff have helped me to develop my skills and knowledge. The university offers a range of services and extracurricular activities, providing numerous opportunities for students to get involved. Overall, my experience at Concordia has been positive and enriching.
Ashley
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31/10/2023
On Campus
Communications and Culture Studies
I am currently enrolled in my first year in the Communication and Culture studies program. I have met so many incredible people and have already acquired skills that I will serve me in my professional career. The courses are dynamic, engaging and intellectually stimulating. I am happy to be a student at this university and look forward to the next 2 years here!
Student
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11/09/2023
On Campus
Significant advancements
Having attended Concordia University, I can confidently state that I have seen significant advancements in my skills. The faculty and staff demonstrate great thoughtfulness and provide effective support. Additionally, the university offers an abundance of student clubs and services.
Arman
Verified
11/09/2023
On Campus
Master of Quality Systems Engineering
I completed my Master's in Quality Systems Engineering at Concordia University, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of quality management principles and methodologies. The program provided a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, including coursework in statistical process control, Six Sigma, and Lean principles.
I engaged in hands-on projects addressing real-world quality challenges, collaborated with experienced faculty, and conducted independent research. This experience has equipped me with the skills and expertise needed to contribute effectively to organizations seeking to enhance their quality control processes and achieve operational excellence.
Amber Lee
Verified
6/09/2023
On Campus
Awesome
The Communication program at Concordia University will prepare you for the future. The program is divided in two blocks: one more theoretical, from which you learn the concept of communications through the perspective of philosophy, history and social studies; another completely hands-on in which you learn how to produce media choosing from three streams; sound, moving images, intermedia. What I love about the communication program at Concordia is that the teachers are clever, up to date, and exited about putting the future in the hands of students. Not only there is so much to learn in the communication program, but there are also so many opportunities!
Student
Verified
3/09/2023
On Campus
Concordia is best
Concordia university is one of the top listed universities not just in Canada but worldwide. The most amazing thing about this university is it is a standalone English speaking university in Montreal that allows non francophone students to enrol and study efficiently. My program is beautifully designed with access to high quality classrooms and faculty members that are available every time to attend your queries. The huge campus of the University including the library allows students to indulge in group work and research programs. The administration staff is super supportive and polite in their conversations. I have had the most amazing experience studying at Concordia so far.
Student
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5/07/2023
On Campus
Entrepreneurship and Marketing
I had the privilege of being a part of Ryerson University's Entrepreneurship and Marketing program, and it was an outstanding experience. The program's curriculum was well-designed, providing a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical application. The faculty members were highly knowledgeable and supportive, creating an engaging learning environment. The program's emphasis on industry connections and experiential learning opened doors to valuable internships and co-op opportunities. The resources and facilities dedicated to the program were top-notch, allowing me to explore my passion and excel in my studies. I am grateful for the real-world skills and industry connections I gained through the program. Ryerson University's Entrepreneurship and Marketing truly prepared me for a successful career in the business world. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a transformative educational experience.
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25/06/2023
Blended
Integrated Student Life
Concordia University has done a fantastic job at providing on-campus activities and workshops for students to feel connected and less lonely in stressful times. My program, Human Relations highlights this perfectly as a human relations student to be able to see the effects these workshops have on our beings and our mental and physical health as well. The student Life at Concordia has allowed our school to feel more like a community than a school.
Dami
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6/03/2024
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Study review
As a graduate student in the doctoral program in chemical engineering at Concordia University, I would rate the program as highly commendable. Although, the academic experience has been rigorous, challenging, and intellectually stimulating, providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of chemical engineering principles.
However, my ongoing program has been equally rewarding and has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in academia and industry.
Student
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7/03/2024
On Campus
Amazing
In general, I love my university. It's a true representation of diversity, with students from all around the world. The system is incredibly organized, with everything functioning seamlessly, from the structure to the services.
