Breaking into IB in Canada/Bay Street

Hey Guys,

I know this is a well sought after/discussed question, but I wanted my individual circumstances assessed. I am planning to immigrate to Canada and am hopeful that my PR will be approved shortly. I was hoping to break into IB in Canada but after reviewing some discussions on this forum, I have concluded that I need a MFin or related degree from a popular/reputed uni to be more hireable. My profile is as follows;

Age – 25
Qualifications – Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, CFA Charterholder and have passed 6 exams of the ASA designation from the Society of Actuaries (but no undergrad).
Experience – Working as Head of Treasury for the past 5 years in a small utility company (Market Cap - US$ 200 mln) in Pakistan

I am concerned that without an undergrad, I will fall short from being admitted into any of the top Mfin programs (Queens, Rotman, Schulich, Waterloo or Laurier). Without the MFin, breaking into IB will be difficult. Given that I am new immigrant networking my way in will also not be possible.

Your advise/help is solicited.

 

You might be hooped. I can't see any of the IB firms taking someone without an undergrad. Coming from a nontarget is already hard enough, especially in Canada (Ivey + Queens run the show).

Some of my dad's friends who came from India had to take shit jobs even though they had bachelor degrees in stuff. I know someone who worked in a grocery store and he was a lawyer in India.

 
Best Response

Cupiditate cum rerum quas voluptatem cumque et. Voluptatem incidunt a quam voluptatem voluptas sit quam. Cum molestiae rem veritatis deleniti.

Saepe eaque et facilis inventore. Debitis molestiae deleniti quia. Alias tempore molestias qui omnis.

Dolore voluptatem itaque dolores aliquid modi incidunt enim. Possimus porro sed repellendus perferendis facilis sint ea. Rerum qui cum incidunt explicabo id molestiae tempora. Et ad iusto in vero veritatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
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...”