Hi y'all,
I was wondering whether Accounting or Taxation is a better major for IB?
There are a lot of similarities between the two but I certainly like Taxation better since it is less repetitive and the real world value of it outside of IB is much bigger.
Any thoughts?
| +270 | Why UBS Is the Worst Place to Start Your IB Career | 41 | 2h |
| +220 | UBS 2nd Year Analyst Q&A (2026) | 41 | 1d |
| +131 | UBS IB 26Q2 a Disaster! Advisory Revenue Down 23%, Capital MarketsDown 5% | 19 | 32m |
| +104 | What's your craziest "hardo" story? | 18 | 14h |
| +77 | Downfall of Qatalyst | 18 | 12m |
| +58 | Lincoln International Return Offers | 20 | 5m |
| +56 | Wolf of Wall Street vs. Reality: Anyone else feel scammed by the movies? | 19 | 1d |
| +55 | Elite Boutique interview questions | 17 | 2d |
| +50 | Suspended for a Year | 21 | 1d |
| +43 | so confused about 28 SA timeline | 30 | 23h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Accounting. I was an accounting major and feel like it has given me a leg up on the job. As an analyst, you will never deal with taxation issues; that's what you have outside firms to help clients for.
I already assumed accounting was better for IB but eanted to make sure.
How do bankers perceive these majors though?
Do they consider Taxation an easy/weak major and Accounting a difficult one?
If you want IB, there is absolutely no logical reason to major in taxation. 1). You don't need a taxation major to prepare your own 1040 and 2). no company would ever ask an IB analyst for M&A tax advice. You run the risk of bankers wondering why you are applying to IB.
I would pick accounting. Try to double major in finance if that's possible.
I want to have a decent plan b and while I don't see myself doing Public Accounting, Tax is actually a good option considering that I live in the Netherlands which is a big player in tax evasion.
I want to double major in English and Taxation but can I tackle the 'Why banking?' question by saying that when I majored in Taxation I took a few Economics classes which triggered my interest in banking or something like that?
Tax as a back up is actually a good idea. Tax accountants with Big 4 exposure (that I know) make money hands over fist. If you can save a guy worth $5MM over $150K due to tax loopholes you're deserving of a nice cut.
I'd just do accounting, and if you have to choose electives get a minor in Tax, but don't put it on your actual resume IMHO.
What about the other way around, majoring in Taxation and minoring in Accounting?
I'm curious btw why you think that you shouldn't put the Tax electives on your resume?
Only if your goal is IB. It won't matter. It's wasted space in a way.
I wouldn't just because in IB, Taxation isn't important. The worst part is its not even similar to English with a minor in accounting because they'll see you as someone who didn't 'want' Ib.
Harum dignissimos nesciunt corrupti in. In atque aspernatur dolor nobis quia. Debitis eaque voluptates voluptas aperiam ipsam delectus. Autem tempora error nisi.
Laborum unde consequatur doloribus nulla. Dolorem in deserunt odio molestiae cupiditate nobis velit. Consequatur nisi sit beatae voluptatem. Fugit quisquam et sit.
Ducimus odio temporibus voluptatum eos. Excepturi qui quisquam tempora libero dolorem consequuntur. Sit corrupti iste molestiae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...