Project Accountant or Commercial Banking Manager?

First off, I want to do investment banking, unfortunately I never got an interview. My plan is to try and network into an investment banking analyst role over the next 3 years. If I cannot get in within 3 year then I will pursue an MBA but only at a top school and try again but for an associate position. I am in Canada as well if that means anything. The city I am looking to work in for investment banking is Calgary so they deal a lot with energy companies.

My question is what job should I accept for the time being to help get me to my goal of investment banking?

The commercial banking job is mid-market $5m+. You're in charge of a portfolio and deal with clients as well as analyze financial statements. I'll be starting in a training position paying about $55k. After the training I'll get a raise and I'll start getting a bonus. Total all in salary will probably be close to $70k after the first year. With this job I would pursue a CFA.

The project accountant job (cost accounting) is one I would be getting through some connections. It's for a big energy company and it's not an entry-level accounting role. Starting salary will be $65k and advancement in the position is finance manager (budgeting, forecasts) making ~$90k. If I took this job I would probably pursue a CPA along with my CFA.

I did car sales and was quite good prior to going back to school. I feel my sales skills are already quite sharp as I realize the commercial manager role would perhaps try to hone those for someone without them.

My question is simple. Which job should I pursue in your opinion and why if investment banking is where I want to end up? Thank you.

4 Comments
 

I would agree with the above comment. Go with the commercial banking route, then -> Corporate Banking -> then Investment banking if that's what you really want to do in the long term.

However, if the cost accountant job is with a top 5 global energy firm, AND your goal is to do MBA first. Then go with the energy firm. Commercial banking will be harder to get into a good MBA.

 

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