Career next step?

Hey all,

I graduated from a non target last year with a degree in accounting and accepted a role in alternative investment valuation at an HL, D&P, A&M type shop where I value a wide range of investments from private bonds, private equity, venture capital, and derivatives. It’s been great modeling/excel practice.

Ultimately want to end up in IB. That considered, which of the following options would be the most logical next step? 

- Transaction advisory associate at Berkeley Research Group

Would be doing quality of earnings analysis and other M&A advisory work for investment banks and private equity shops.

- Equity research associate at a well known global investment bank.

Focused on healthcare equities. Assist analysts in valuation and modeling of investments. 

- Corporate development and strategy analyst at a household name IT company

Assist in identifying targets for M&A transactions, perform due diligence, create M&A models

Thanks in advance for any advice! Whichever role I go for, I’d plan on staying for about 2 years before exiting to IB so I don’t label myself as a job hopper, given that I’ve only worked in valuation for under a year. I’m already getting a bit bored of it and am ready to exit toward something more strategic.

1 Comments
 

Voluptatem cupiditate id aperiam et. Error cumque animi qui est minima. Quia commodi in quas ut. Est quae et aut. Iste est nostrum suscipit.

Earum dicta qui dolorum architecto corrupti eum. Est sit voluptatibus nobis consequatur sequi minus. Commodi magni optio velit nisi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”