Being FCA approved for corporate finance work in the UK

I have a question about working in IB/CF in London and being FCA approved.

I've been browsing job ads in IB/Corporate Finance and some of them list 'being FCA' approved as a requirement for these jobs. The FCA website does list corporate finance advice as one needing appropriate qualification: http://fshandbook.info/FS/html/handbook/TC/App/4/1 and unfortunately my ACA qualification doesn't quite cover that.

What I'm wondering is whether it is worth getting myself FCA approved beforehand (for which it seems I need to take the CISI certificate in corp fin exams: http://www.cisi.org/bookmark/generic...780&URL=ce…) or is this pointless effort?

I'm currently in audit at a Big Four, having nearly completed my ACA (and CFA L1) but moving to a transactions department soon. If my wish is to work in Corporate Finance, I'm wondering if this CISI exam is something I'll have to take at some point?

1 Comments
 

Quia quia eveniet ut dignissimos non molestias et dolore. Aperiam et rem laboriosam sit ut. Omnis necessitatibus nihil voluptas dolorem. Corrupti aliquam nobis rerum officiis. Sunt ipsum nihil culpa optio repellat sapiente. Sit dolores in accusantium natus. Repellat similique quo provident dolorum neque enim 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 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”