Stuck on decision whether to do Masters in Adv Fin early next year or delay and do an MBA

I'm at a crossroads in my career. I'm a Sr. Financial Analyst in a small valuations firm. We do a bit of advisory but it's minimal. Pretty drab work. Very focused on the past, not the future. I'm a cog in a wheel, a service provider to much more interesting companies.

Long term I've always been focused on PE (but also try to stay up on HF stuff). I have a CFA charter. I am 33. I am considering a grad degree. I see this as the best way to get into the role I want. I know about half the relevant firms in my city but it's unlikely I'll be able to get into any of them at this point. I am in Canada but I am an EU citizen. I want to work in the EU or London, or maybe US, for a while and then come back to Canada. So I am weighing a European MBA versus a European Masters in Advanced Finance at IEBS in Madrid. I may also apply at a couple US iveys if I go the MBA route.

Pros and cons of the MIAF:

Pro: it's pretty cheap;

Pro: don't have to write the GMAT/GRE, as IEBS provides an exemption for CFA charterholders;

Pro: builds on CFA program, sets me up for a boutique sell side or buy side firm;

Pro: start early next year, done a year later;

Con: the school is good but the program is pretty new. IEBS is better known for their MBA, which is well-ranked in Europe;

Con: related to that, uncertainty about placement. Will have to hustle. No assurance of a big jump in salary.

Pros and cons of the MBA:

Pro: I can apply to a bunch of decent schools in EU (HEC, LBS or LSE) and maybe lower-tier US iveys (probably won't get into HBS);

Pro: way more brand recognition even if it's an MBA at IEBS, than the MIAF;

Pro: related to that, probably easier to get the job I want, or go to industry;

Con: cost is greater;

Con: will have to take a few months to study for and write the GMAT/GRE, and I'm not getting any younger.

At this point I'm just trying to get opinions and gut checks, as I was quite confident about the MIAF choice, but am now wavering.

2 Comments
 

Deserunt et fugit eius veniam omnis similique. Ad expedita quia aut error earum nesciunt adipisci voluptatum. Vitae qui recusandae voluptatum eligendi aliquam delectus delectus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”