If you already have financial background, CFA is a plus which will help you get augmentation and promotion. But if you have no related experience and want to change to this area, I think top mba having a good finance reputation is better than CFA. In fact, in several area, such as asset management, almost every one has CFA certification. But Among them many people pass CFA after they enter this industry. So if you have no experience and you are not a freshman, CFA means nothing to you. If you are a freshman with finance degree, CFA will prove your motivation.