Certifications/Licenses?

So I'm going to graduate in 20 days (from a non-target, 3.3 GPA) with an offer from a small investment firm (real estate and tech) in Portland, Oregon. I have not given up my dreams of getting into either IB or CB so I was wondering what I can do in the next year to better my chances of getting a job at a BB or a recognized firm.

I don't know if I should get a CPA, CFA Level 1, or complete the FINRA exams.

How do I build my profile and resume more in addition to my role as a Financial Analyst at this small investment firm. Please let me know, any advice would be great! Thank you in advance! 

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CFA would give the best technical understanding and, IMHO as an outsider to IB/CB, would give you the best shot at front office roles. That would certainly be what I give most credence to in the REPE world.

Friends I have that went through the FINRA exams are usually in Capital Markets/Wealth Management. Friends that I know that have CPAs are either CFOs, work for the big 4, or are otherwise accounting focused.

 

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