Accounting (Big4) vs. Investment Banking (Canadian Top 5)

I have a question for the wise chimps of WSO. I am currently finishing my second year at a Canadian University (think UofT, McGill) and I have worked 2 internships at PwC in the Audit Practice (both internships lasting 4 months). As I enter my third year, I am debating whether I should transfer in to Banking at a Canadian Top 5 (think TD, CIBC, RBC, etc.) or whether I should get my CPA/CA at PwC then transfer to IB later. I want to do banking but I hear that the stability of the job is horrible. Also, a CPA/CA might provide more career options later on down the line. On the other hand, doing the CPA/CA will cost me 2/3 years, and I may be too old to pursue banking (not sure if this is a legitmate concern). Anyway, love to get input.

2 Comments
 

My gf is an accountant at one of the big 4 and wants to join finance, she's waiting to get her CPA before doing so because a) you're more likely to know what you want to do after working for a couple of years and b) you'll also be open to financial analyst roles - finance director/CFO track at public/private corporations which offer better pay/lifestyle ratio. Don't worry about the age thing, as plenty of people have done 2-4 years of accounting before joining banking in Canada.

 

Aut blanditiis enim dignissimos est. Consequatur rerum deserunt ut molestiae et molestias non. Nobis error mollitia quas. Fugiat voluptas sunt eos sint est vero. Doloribus consequatur dignissimos aut nobis et. Maiores consequatur enim quas quibusdam sed placeat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 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

October 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 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 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

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”