Laura Carley, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), wealth advisor and research analyst with Boyer & Corporon Wealth Management, is now a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder. CFA designations are rare. Now with three double designated CFA and CFP wealth management advisors on staff, BCWM is truly setting its financial planning and wealth investment firm apart from others in Overland Park and across the nation.
While the vast majority of firms in the Overland Park area have no CFA charterholders on staff, Laura brings BCWM’s count up to three. She joins the firm’s other double designee, Richard Boyer, chief investment officer.
The CFA Institute bestows the coveted CFA designation on candidates who pass Level I, II and III exams. Candidates must also prove via referrals and industry experience “a continued commitment to professional integrity, education and trust in finance and join the CFA Institute effort to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow,” according to the Institute’s website.
The CFA exam sets the bar in difficulty and failure rate. In fact, Laura was one of only 49% of Level III candidates who passed the exam in June 2013. Pass rates plunge even further for the Level I and II exams. Very few candidates pass all three CFA exam Levels without failing at least one. Laura passed all three on her first try.
The CFA designation is considered the gold standard in the financial planning industry. There are less than 110,000 CFA charterholders worldwide and an overwhelming number of firms with dozens or hundreds of financial planners do not have a CFA designation on staff. With another CFA designated charterholder at BCWM, the firm’s clients gain the luxury of manpower and insight. BCWM is able to put its resources toward its investment and portfolio research and still keep a macro view of the economy.
Laura explains, “BCWM’s culture promotes personal growth and achievement. I was fortunate to have the support I did as I prepared for the CFA exams. Given the scope of knowledge required to pass, the pressure was intense. However, with that pressure comes tremendous opportunity. Wealth management and financial planning is a male dominated industry. So as a woman, CFA designation doesn’t simply set me apart. It also sets BCWM apart since the designation is globally recognized and revered.”
This information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance of any market results is no assurance of future performance. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.