Is the REFM certification good enough or should I get ARGUS certified?
Hi all,

I am currently working as a multifamily leasing agent, but I am trying to get an entry-level role in real estate finance. I recently paid $300 for the REFM levels 1, 2, and 3 courses. Would having these certificates on my resume be enough to prove my knowledge of Excel and financial modeling or should I go all out and pay $1,400 for an ARGUS Enterprise certification?
[{"id": "hq79ezm", "text": "I've never heard of REFM certification and doubt anyone else has. If you are looking towards larger shops I'd go with something recognizable on the resume, Argus is fine.", "replies": [{"id": "hq7o9iw", "text": "REFM is good and a lot of shops have heard of it. Argus is better and all big shops know what it is.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq7j8gs", "text": "Most of the large real estate firms (CBRE, Cushman &amp; Wakefield, Etc.) use Argus Enterprise. I would guess most REITs do too. Would spend the extra for AE Cert. I also like others have not heard of REFM too", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq7mj5w", "text": "Personally I hate Argus. REFM should get you to where you need to be. Most shops do not use Argus.", "replies": [{"id": "hqbkh6f", "text": "Don't know why the downvotes here. YES it's true that almost all BIG SHOPS are Argus shops... but most CRE shops are not big shops.   I, too, would love a reasonably priced argus alternative for my small shop.", "replies": [{"id": "hxf1dgx", "text": "Argus is not that expensive? 300ish a month for a complex software? I don\u2019t get why people say it\u2019s expensive. All the alternatives coming out are similarly priced as well", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq7vcfy", "text": "Argus is important just to say you have it, though you should be able to learn it on your own in a short amount of time.  Check out the [Top Shelf Academy](http://www.tsmfinancialacademy.com) courses too\u2026much cheaper than REFM and similar/better content.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq806rw", "text": "The REFM helps and Argus couldn\u2019t hurt if you have the money. They\u2019ll prob give an excel assessment during the interview to prove your knowledge. If you\u2019re not already getting interviews then get the Argus cert", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq8a0hw", "text": "When I was first trying to get into the industry a few years ago someone from HFF told me to take both the REFM and argus courses", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq8oepz", "text": "I applied to a ton of real estate shops with REFM level 2 and a lot of rejections from brokers, REITs, etc for not knowing Argus. I got Argus certified and immediately got way more traction in the job hunt and recruiters reaching out to me. I actually had to take the Argus cert off my LinkedIn because I switched to another area of finance and recruiters *still* kept hitting me up for real estate finance roles.\n\nFWIW, I asked for a student discount since I was in grad school and they gave me a great deal on it (I can't remember the exact number, but it was only a few hundred dollars). Couldn't hurt to ask them for a deal if you still have a student email address or a good story.", "replies": [{"id": "hqab91o", "text": "Jesus, I had no idea how important it was... I thought it was a breeze, lol, the modeling you do in REFM is way more effort, like 5x more. \n\nI wonder how long CRE will stay dominated by boomers who respect certificates?", "replies": [{"id": "hqbkzsu", "text": "Not a boomer.  I respect certificates.   They're at least a credential that tells someone that some standard has been met.  Ever try to interview a Candidate?  Tell one apart from every other candidate?   I'm not a hiring manager, but I have done the task in the past.   \n\nGet the credential if it's in your wheelhouse and you can see the value and its ROI, and especially if it will set you apart.", "replies": [{"id": "hqihomc", "text": "I got the cert boss, it was easy and it doesn't prove shit, I got way more respect for a guy that understands what argus is trying to convey, rather than a data entry monkey with a good set of kneepads that is good at faking through multiple choice exams\n\nAt my shop, we force new hires to model acquisitions with an abacus, no shortcuts :)", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq8opgx", "text": "Argus is a MUST have if you are looking for a capital markets or REPE role. It will 100% get you more interviews if it\u2019s on your resume. \n\nIf you don\u2019t want to pay full price for class/certification, email customer service and ask for the student discount. This is what I did even though I was two years out of school.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hq8rb76", "text": "Excel certs don\u2019t mean much aside from showing you\u2019re dedicated to learning the finance side of the business. A lot of firms won\u2019t even know what they are.\n\nIf you\u2019re not getting interviews now, get the AE cert, but if you\u2019re already getting your foot in the door don\u2019t bother.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]