Hi Jason, I enjoyed reading your very informative article.

I’m a CPA in my early 50's with varied professional experience ranging from small startups to Big 4 Public Accounting (almost exclusively Corporate Accounting, minimal Tax). I currently work for a leading energy generation holding and utility company as Controller of a handful of renewable energy projects handling day-to-day accounting with some debt financing responsibilities. I have developed a keen interest in Equity Research specifically in renewable energy, and other technology-related areas as well.

ER, I believe, combines the career characteristics I’m interested in: analysis, writing research reports, and communicating cutting-edge ideas with investors and company managements. At this point in my life I’m looking at ER as my ‘next career’ once I retire from my current gig in the next five to ten years. I plan on working into my late 60’s and perhaps beyond; I think it’s a good idea to always be working on some level in order to retain your faculties as you age.

So my current hypothetical plan goes like this: attain the CFA over the next three years (I believe it is crucial evidence of professional credibility in Equity Research), at the same time transfer to the Project Valuation department of my current employer (gain hands on experience with modeling financial statements), upon retirement from my current employer start up my own firm with the following focus: establish, grow, and manage a boutique sell-side ER firm specializing in producing equity research reports on underserved and emerging companies in various (mostly technology) industries including: Alternative/Renewable Energy, Space/Aerospace Products & Services, and other Technology-oriented entities, with a specific focus on marketing to Individual (non-Institutional) investors.

I’m not trying to earn a million dollars in salary and bonuses, I just want to use my analytical and accounting skills to create a firm that produces high-quality long-term research in areas that I’m interested in and slowly and gradually grow that business into something that will augment my retirement time and financial position. I believe individual investors are a better market for me to enter into as institutional requires more demands of personal time and resources to serve it well. I just need a reality check on the plan, and also, while I’m not looking to take any shortcuts, is the CFA as critical as I believe it will be when marketing to investors?

Your thoughts? Thank you.