Investment banking anaylst vs M&A anaylst: Which is better?
I am thinking of a future career in private equity and i am wondering which is a better entry level position that can be used as a stepping stone into private equity.
From what i have read, M&A analysts do more meaningful jobs than an investment banking analyst. As well, although the salary may not be as much as the investments banker, the positive part of being an M&A analyst is that after you’ve put in the time and have a good track record, the world is pretty much your oyster. Whereas in investment banking there really is not much of a track record you can build pertaining to an analyst.
As well, does anyone know the salaries and bonuses for an M&A analyst vs investment banking analyst.
Would like the boards insight on this topic.
Thanks!!
An M&A analyst IS an investment banking analyst. You don't seem to have a good grasp on the industry, so I'd recommend doing some more research. Many of your assertions are incorrect and honestly don't make sense.
yea i know that. However, i am referring to the general investment banking position vs the M & A position. Try to understand the post. As well, i did not make many assertions. Part of what I posted came straight from efinancial careers.com.
What do you mean by "general" investment banking position?
There are industry (TMT, Power, Consumer/Retail, etc) and product groups (i.e. LevFin, M&A, etc). In fact, at some banks there are M&A verticals within industry groups...
Okay please tell me what this paragraph below from vault is referring to. This is where i got the idea that they were two separate jobs. I have provided the link to the full vault survey that will explain where i am coming from.
"Sometimes, when it gets crazy, you have to put in a few more hours. The fact that you don't get paid overtime bites as well. Unfortunately, you're not an I-Banker where you see a large bonus at year end (more of a deferred revenue situation). The hours are of course "less" lumpy than an I-Banker, but still, it would be nice to be compensated for the time you're there."
http://www.vault.com/survey/occupational/M&A-Analyst-12962.html
"there is not much of a track record you can build" for non-M&A analysts? What are you talking about?
"Whereas in investment banking there really is not much of a track record you can build pertaining to an analyst."
Please explain what you mean in 'building a track record.' I'm not trying to be rude, so no need to get defensive. As you mentioned, we're just trying to understand the post. And when I was referring to your assertions, you seem to think that M&A analysts take on more responsibility which isn't necessarily the case. It all depends on the bank, the group, and more importantly, the analyst.
I am merley stating the impressions that i have gathered from my reading. Like i said part of the post was derived straight from efinacial careers.com. Regarding the other poster asking about track record, heres where i got it from. So you can email the editor for your question.
"If the salary weren't enough, the other positive part of being an M&A associate is that after you’ve put in the time and have a good track record, the world is pretty much your oyster. Some, wanting a lifestyle change – and maybe shorter hours in the hope of getting to know the wife and kids again - opt for the world of private equity; others decide to work for companies such as Diageo where mergers and takeovers have been a key part of corporate evolution."
"Most however stay put, going onto become M&A directors, having recognized that M&A is one of the most exciting areas of the investment world to be in. And one of the best rewarded."
http://news.efinancialcareers.co.uk/PAY_ITEM/newsItemId-5048
You want to be an investment banking analyst doing M&A. It'll be a much better way to get into PE, not whatever this "M&A Analyst" is...located in Canada. I laughed at this: "The hours can really grind you. I've worked anywhere from 45 - 70 hour work weeks."
HAHAHAHAHA...the phrase "Canadian investment banker" is practically an oxymoron...god we are such idiots. That explains the 1M+ canucks living in the US...
In investment banking there are industry groups (Consumer, TMT, Energy, Natural Resources), etc. and product groups (ECM, DCM, M&A).
People often believe an M&A group is more desirable because you will learn more in the way of technical/modeling skills than with other groups. While this is true for the most part, the reality is if you are smart and do your job well, you can find a good job post-banking coming from any group (as long as you have enough deals to talk about). Yes, M&A groups will place more analysts into PE jobs but again I've seen people come in from other areas as well. You should do your diligence on your bank and find out how the responsibilities of the groups differ before making a decision.
I wouldn't go by eFinancialCareers - clearly the person writing that article was not familiar with banking.
thanks for your advice!
lol, i'd just like to point out that this is precisely why plagiarism is a bad thing for everyone. People call your bullshit, because you never had to understand it in the first place, and you can barely string three words together to defend yourself.
in my post I stated clearly from "what i have read" and was enplaning what i have seen. I wasn't trying to call it my own. So how its plagiarism?
It was unattributed quoting, a form of plagiarism, since you took much of your info word-for-word from Vault and eFinancialCareers. I'd say this falls into the "technicality" rather than "malicious" category of plagiarism, but BallyHo's point is still quite valid. When you try to pass off a small amount of information as a thorough understanding of a complex issue, you set yourself up to look like an idiot when discussion becomes more detailed. You end up with false premises, illogical conclusions and a complete inability to defend anything you said.
You would have had much more success and better answers to your post with a question explaining that you read some interesting things about M&A Analysts vs. Investment Bankers (with links to the Vault and eFC articles, so people could quickly understand what you were referring to), and wondered if people here had similar experiences and opinions of these careers, or could suggest resources for further research.
"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead."
As an aside, is the birth year on your profile correct? If so, the much more important question is how can a 40 year old break into investment banking?
Analyst positions are typically given to people fresh out of college, young and hungry for money/experience. I'm not saying it can't be done (though others might), but you are going to have a really hard time convincing recruiters that you are ready to work 100+ hour weeks and take orders from Associates/VPs 10-15 years younger than you.
"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead."
never post w/o works cited
regarding my age, never believe members profile. Thats not my real age. LOL!
Why would you post a fake age on your profile? Much like your OP, false information has confused the issues and killed your credibility.
"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead."
I hope your parents have told you never to reveal your personal info online. And what credibilty, its an online messaging board for god sake. Half the stuff posted here are on this board is not accurate anyways. I don't know why you are looking at my profile rather than the post at hand. It has nothing do with what i have written. Geez!
That's a pretty bold statement coming from someone with absolutely no insight of banking whatsoever.
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