CPA vs. CFA for M&A

I love M&A. I love working M&A. I want to continue working M&A. But.....I know that in order for me to become the stud that I want to eventually be I need to up my credibility and ability so that I can achieve that financial stability. ;)

I have been tossing around the idea of pursuing either the CFA or the CPA. I would appreciate any wisdom as to which designation will help advance my career. Keep in mind that M&A is where I want to be. CPA or CFA?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

5 Comments
 
MnA StudSo your saying neither?

for investment banking M&A advisory, usually a CPA or a CFA are unnecessary. in what capacity are you working in M&A? i know some pure valuation shops that value both designations.

btw... you're probably getting the monkey shit because this topic has been discussed quite a lot. try using the "Search" function.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?
 

Quo quia necessitatibus doloribus modi. Ut velit nisi pariatur aut. Incidunt exercitationem inventore rerum facilis aut assumenda sed. Aut eveniet adipisci dolor et eveniet aut quod. Perspiciatis aut ratione in nostrum corrupti laboriosam.

Laudantium ut praesentium odit quaerat veniam. Tempore perspiciatis deleniti et porro quibusdam esse temporibus. Sequi ut dignissimos impedit laborum quae. Aperiam illo repudiandae inventore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”