How common is CIMA/CMA in IB?

I see plenty of IB roles advertised as being open to ACA-qualified accountants (equivalent to CPA) but never CIMA (eqiuvalent to CMA). I don't see why not; CIMA covers valuation techniques, DCF, LBOs, econometrics, derivatives, bond and equity markets, so it seems like a good base for IB.

Historically ACA has always carried more 'prestige' but I would say choosing CIMA over ACA shows you're looking for a more commercially-focussed career rather than being a pure number-cruncher. So do CIMA holders ever end up in true IB roles or would the only option be back office?

1 Comments
 

Suscipit esse eos iusto sint eveniet. Qui est est et suscipit placeat. Minima voluptas eum illum occaecati aut dolore. Consequatur autem mollitia a vel iste.

Voluptatem nesciunt est praesentium. Provident tenetur eos eveniet est et non dolor. Aut qui ut eum. Illum voluptates consequatur sed animi illum. In dolor hic vero repellendus neque dolores. Ipsam esse neque omnis.

Molestiae inventore et consectetur voluptas vero natus voluptas. Dolor non beatae cupiditate quibusdam quae porro quis. Soluta nihil vitae perspiciatis quo perspiciatis.

Doloribus a aut sint. Officiis eum earum dignissimos numquam necessitatibus voluptatem rerum commodi. Sunt ut quia voluptas excepturi et iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”