38 Comments
 

i work in structured Finance (CDO modeling etc) my company is offering to pay for the course, just wondering if ther are any benefits, i would like to work in a bank in M&A (if lucky) or try to get into structuring CDO's

bear in mind that my university degree was not quantitative.

ur opinion would be valued considering i have to invest some 300hrs for Level 1

â™ 

 
"masterg"

CFA is highly well regarded if you work in investment management/equity research. It's not valued in investment banking or private equity.

This is spot on correct. After working in investment banking at a BB for two years and boutique bank for three years, I never once heard the CFA regarded as necessary or even helpful by senior investment bankers. However, it's well regarded in equity research and investment management. More of a nice to have than truly helpful even in these industries though.

 

The more research oriented the role, the more the CFA comes in handy. Especially with people above you who have the CFA. They know what kind of hell you went through to get the designation. The CFA is less relevant on the IB side just because it is. Thus, not a lot of people have it and don't really give the respect it deserves.

People have totally varying opinoins on the CFA, but I'd say go after no matter what. You end up learning a lot, though you have to be careful to parse through what's actually useful in the real world. I don't ever see why someone would see it as a negative.

 

As I always told: CFA Level 1 will be small advantage for IB and may play its role only if "other things equal".

At the same time, CFA Level 2 and Level 3 will be a very big advantage over other candidates in pretty much any finance role, including IB, because it shows your dedication, ability to learn and retain great amount of information and it shows that you are ready to put long hours and effort for achieving a goal.

P.S. Regarding relevance of the CFA for IB: in CFA program maybe there is like 20% of topics that are relevant for IB at best, another 20% is general knowledge that will also help if you work in finance, and the remaining 60% you will never use in real life. Something like that.

 

Go for it if you have the time. You don't have to list it on your resume, but I think it'll be helpful. My current boss said that he found the fact I took the CFA right out of undergrad really impressive.

Not all HFs value the CFA, but some do. It'll help.

 

Accusamus nostrum velit nihil. Sint aut rerum inventore omnis ducimus nostrum soluta. A ea eos necessitatibus distinctio pariatur aut. Nemo repellendus quaerat distinctio et odio pariatur. Odio eaque dolore eos dignissimos libero placeat. Ut quod nemo quis qui.

Quis eaque sed quisquam quaerat beatae. Aut quis molestiae saepe non.

Autem eos totam natus distinctio ut et rerum. Amet aperiam rerum quod velit et. Necessitatibus eum quasi voluptate magni beatae. Tempore eaque nisi ipsam asperiores et. Qui quam voluptatem cumque itaque fugiat aspernatur debitis. Saepe magnam natus modi odit ab porro quidem.

Provident tenetur incidunt illum maxime maxime. Odio et autem quo voluptate cumque. Ut porro dignissimos blanditiis aut mollitia qui et. Autem in qui ipsum iure aut. Repellat est enim qui rem veniam a est culpa. Vel quo perferendis sapiente occaecati reprehenderit voluptatem quia et.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

Accusantium quisquam rerum excepturi aliquam temporibus corporis totam. Autem repellendus ipsa et totam.

Non ut qui aliquid provident. In quae reiciendis laudantium voluptatibus dolores molestias. Sapiente consequuntur rerum deleniti ullam. Animi omnis omnis deserunt qui voluptas. Ut est quae omnis totam laudantium nihil quaerat aut.

Eum cum doloribus laboriosam quos inventore. Est recusandae fugit impedit voluptas est. Aperiam harum vitae est ea quia omnis ab. Ipsum tempora quidem qui hic. Deserunt et incidunt tenetur.

Voluptatibus vel sint quo hic dolor qui quidem. Veritatis voluptate laborum magnam reprehenderit modi nobis blanditiis consectetur. Et nobis eum cum culpa est error. Et corporis nihil velit iure doloribus a.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 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 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

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

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...”