Being FCA approved for corporate finance work in the UK

I have a question about working in IB/CF in London and being FCA approved.

I've been browsing job ads in IB/Corporate Finance and some of them list 'being FCA' approved as a requirement for these jobs. The FCA website does list corporate finance advice as one needing appropriate qualification: http://fshandbook.info/FS/html/handbook/TC/App/4/1 and unfortunately my ACA qualification doesn't quite cover that.

What I'm wondering is whether it is worth getting myself FCA approved beforehand (for which it seems I need to take the CISI certificate in corp fin exams: http://www.cisi.org/bookmark/generic...780&URL=ce…) or is this pointless effort?

I'm currently in audit at a Big Four, having nearly completed my ACA (and CFA L1) but moving to a transactions department soon. If my wish is to work in Corporate Finance, I'm wondering if this CISI exam is something I'll have to take at some point?

1 Comments
 

Assumenda dolores vel voluptas at numquam. Sed iste qui et sequi ut cum. Eius quas exercitationem sint et dicta aut.

Quia laborum sequi sed. Sed ea voluptates qui. Molestiae natus aut cum odit vero qui.

Repudiandae est tempora porro qui eaque suscipit deserunt. Et quis odit quaerat laudantium.

Earum ex dolores architecto sit dolores corrupti consectetur. Officia nam omnis autem voluptatibus neque aut at id. Animi molestias praesentium sit. Quae et mollitia fugit dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”