I'd like to excel in finance, but don't know which path I want to take.

Hello!

I'll try to keep this short... I'm 22 and I currently work as an accountant. I was an intern and got hired without a degree, since I proved that I know what I am doing. I'm a self-taught accountant, but I will get my associate's degree next year. The company I work for right now is great - they promote hard-working people all the time (e.g. accounting manager started in DATA ENTRY 6 years ago). You can also work from many countries. I plan on staying there for a while.

Aside from my job, I continuously read books and articles about market, actively learn about finance, investing and so on. I enjoy this, HOWEVER, I realize that my attention is squandered. I want to excel in this area much more than most people, probably because I used to be very poor, but it feels like I'm just learning without a direction.

At the moment, I'm just taking in a lot of info, but it is not applicable. I need to find a path and stick to it and wanted to ask you guys what are some realistic options aside from getting a bachelor's (which I might)? I'm very eager learn applicable things, not just take in information left and right.

Any help will be much appreciated.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

So, you're starting behind the 8 ball. (shitty situation if you don't get the reference)

Getting a bachelor's from somewhere accredited is generally step #1. Most places won't even give you a look without one, and most designations require it as a prerequisite. After that the next step is to identify what a premier designation in the field is and begin to work towards it. For example, if you want to stay in accounting look into the CPA. Want to move into wealth management? look at the CFP. Asset management? The CFA Charter is where to start (but nowhere where the story ends, there.)

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Quisquam non fuga sed quam voluptates enim quis rerum. Molestiae libero architecto soluta corrupti at eligendi labore. Reprehenderit laudantium facere minus cum nobis voluptate. Accusamus animi quam rerum et et.

Debitis rem maiores soluta eum provident quisquam. Et beatae sint ad ut qui earum impedit exercitationem. Nulla dolore sequi tempora natus natus iusto. Velit ipsam molestiae saepe assumenda ullam nam adipisci omnis. Minima itaque illo ut repudiandae explicabo cupiditate.

Aut eos beatae voluptas quisquam totam repudiandae ipsum. Dolores natus accusamus ea placeat impedit vitae voluptas. Nihil nam vitae alias dolore cum qui. Eaque in velit odit autem. Quaerat animi et rerum natus. Non ut repellat qui id ut ea fugiat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”