Anyone making 200k+ with 40-50 hours in strategic finance post-IB analyst years?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from IB to strategic finance with a $200K+ compensation while working 40-50 hours per week is feasible but not guaranteed. Here's what you should know:

1. Compensation in Strategic Finance:

   • A reported example from WSO shows a first-year strategic finance role offering $110K all-in ($90K base, $10K signing, $10K bonus) with 2 years of experience post-undergrad. While this is below $200K, compensation can increase significantly with experience and performance.
   • Senior roles in strategic finance, such as VP or Director, can exceed $200K, but these typically require several years of experience beyond IB analyst years.

2. Hours in Strategic Finance:

   • Strategic finance roles generally offer better work-life balance compared to IB. Hours can range from 40-50 during normal periods to 70-80 during busy times (e.g., board meetings or strategy sessions). However, consistent 40-50 hour weeks at higher compensation levels may be more common in corporate development or FP&A roles.

3. Adjusting Expectations:

   • If you're targeting $200K+ with 40-50 hours right after IB, you might need to consider roles in corporate development, private equity, or tech finance, where such packages are more common.
   • Alternatively, staying in IB for a few more years to reach Associate or VP levels could position you for higher-paying exits.

In summary, while $200K+ in strategic finance with 40-50 hours is possible, it may require more experience or a pivot to other high-paying finance roles. If you're early in your career, consider focusing on roles with strong growth potential to hit your target in the medium term.

Sources: Strategic finance?, Is Corporate Banking that much worse than IB?, The Case for Taking a Banking Attitude to Other Industries, A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking