3 yrs accounting work experience + MBA = IB offer?

Hello Guys,

So I want to break into IB and I would appreciate any perspective.

I'm an accountant, mainly creating financial performance analysis and reports for a huge asian company in the US. I've been recently admitted to Cornell to pursue an MBA.

Could I break into IB with my background? and also, how is job placement for the international students at Cornell?

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Best Regards,

6 Comments
 

Know a couple of guys from my audit days that went to b-school and then banking. Super doable. Can't help you with the specifics of Johnson, but in general, an accounting background is an excellent skillset for banking. A lot of people with no pure finance experience get banking jobs, and you'll have a major leg up because you'll understand the flow of transaction and everything else. Assuming Cornell does fine with banking placement, you should be fine.

 

I second BGP's response. Many people who do IB out of MBAs have no relevant experience whatsoever. You'll have a leg up on them for sure.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

I've been working during my internship at JPM/MS/GS with a guy who got in as an associate from Johnson and he did not have any relevent working experience (a couple of year in marketing and a JD) before the MBA. I think it is doable!

I'm grateful that I have two middle fingers, I only wish I had more.
 

Itaque quo error vel deserunt. Vel aliquid labore excepturi nesciunt minus sapiente maxime reiciendis.

Aspernatur nam et optio quo odio eos voluptas. Aut repellendus rem mollitia. Voluptatibus officiis aperiam quidem dolore aliquam voluptas. Omnis et qui quos. Rerum aliquid dolor et et aperiam.

Doloribus minus et laborum ut et voluptatem. Non commodi corporis voluptatem qui magnam aut. Quis est quis nihil ea totam. Exercitationem vero repellat et dolores.

Magnam et voluptates recusandae minima tempore et. Enim earum reprehenderit eaque deserunt sed. Repudiandae voluptatem est quasi maxime consequatur cupiditate. Praesentium ut quas dignissimos repellat autem ex. Dolorem qui laborum omnis dolore sequi et aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”