CA or CPA for I-Banking???

I just about graduating from my accounting master program soon. I am wondering whether I can consider myself as a valid candidate for I-banking. I received a bachelor degree from a Commerce program. During my undergraduate studies, I only took a few finance courses. However, I did really well in Corporate Finance courses. As a result, I was hired by my Prof to be his TA for his course. In addition, I won several finance case competitions during my school time. One of them was actually sponsored and judged by Merrill Lynch. Although I received a very good comment from them, I was too
shy to talk to them at the moment. Now I am going to graduate from my accounting master soon. Everyone in my class is planning to go to one of the accounting big 4. However, I am thinking I-banking now. My working experiences are some internships in KPMG accounting. Will I get any interview? Please advise.

7 Comments
 

My school is U of T in Canada. My master is also from Rotman. My finance GPA is very high, close to 4. However, as a accounting student, my overall GPA is slightly below 3.5. I have a CA( chartered accountant) and US CPA designation. That is simply what I have. However, I have no finance related activities to put on my resume. The only I have is some awards. For example, best traders ( for commerce stock trading competition), winner of several case comps and winners of some accounting research paper.

 

A CA can definetly open some doors, PE jobs are available and even IB ones, you need to really reach out. Not only alumni, but head hunters. I have met people at TD, RBC, CIBC, etc. that have a CA, so CA's are definetly something of use. You need to just get out there and be passionate about the industry and prove to them why your different then the 400 other CA's in Toronto.

 

not trying to be a dick here but if you want to work in IB i think you need to improve your grammar. I understand english is not your first language but i dont see how you can survive as an analyst with sure poor grammar.

 

not trying to be a dick here but if you want to work in IB i think you need to improve your grammar. I understand english is not your first language but i dont see how you can survive as an analyst with such poor grammar.

 

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