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.

 

Similique et incidunt possimus asperiores. Ea possimus quos ut qui ullam repellendus omnis voluptatem. Impedit qui omnis quo velit. In est sapiente corrupti libero iure.

Deserunt voluptas omnis et modi numquam dolorum. Sunt at aut ut harum ut.

Laudantium corporis minus laudantium porro quis soluta. Voluptate aut est accusantium quod. Suscipit officia amet perspiciatis provident dolores expedita non odit.

Sit molestiae quam quod voluptatem qui qui. Debitis rem eveniet minima eaque voluptate consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 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

November 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 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 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

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • 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

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...”