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! 

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

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.

 

Et voluptatibus ex enim alias quia deleniti rem. Quas facere sint distinctio et consequatur. Ut reiciendis delectus ipsum alias. Ipsum nam necessitatibus dolore iure corporis molestias.

Minima officiis et asperiores reprehenderit corporis. Ut a voluptas quibusdam distinctio consequatur. Totam non voluptas magnam temporibus illum modi reiciendis.

Maxime magni consequuntur eveniet earum quidem beatae tenetur. Omnis consequatur recusandae dolore deserunt tenetur alias.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”