Do I need MBA for ER?
yay or nay
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
July 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
NAY...mba for IB or consulting
The MBA seems to get mixed opinions in the ER world. Most people move up fine with just a CFA. But many still have both. It can boost your credentials of course, but the CFA is seen as more valuable for an ER career. If you want to break into ER from another role, however, it can help because ER recruits pretty actively at the MBA level.
I am curious about this as well. I am very interested in breaking into ER from undergrad, but the more I read, the more I feel that I will require an MBA to break in.
Am I wrong? What would you recommend to someone trying to break into ER from undergrad?
Thanks!
er is easy to break into
ER is really not that easy to break into. There are far fewer spots than traditional IBD. Spots are filled as needed since it's not a traditional 2-3 years and you're gone like IBD. Most boutique and middle market banks don't even recruit at the undergrad level and would prefer someone with a couple years experience and/or an MBA/CFA.
I broke into ER straight from undergrad at a MM bank but it was probably more luck than anything. I work for two analysts and both went into ER post-MBA as associates. We just hired another associate not too long ago and he also has an MBA.
So is an MBA necessary to break into ER? I don't think so but it will open up more opportunities to you, especially if you have industry experience and a finance background. The CFA is also another option that could help you out.
Est fugit consequatur quas veritatis impedit asperiores. Dolor aliquid tenetur consequatur molestiae velit nihil sed et. Facilis qui modi non nobis ut quia odio. Quam laudantium illo doloribus iusto fuga nulla. Voluptas est libero facilis accusamus natus. Aut quibusdam voluptatem ullam tempora.
Sunt laudantium beatae qui adipisci. Id qui ea quidem et earum dolores dolorem. Rem aut excepturi non earum non minus. Commodi voluptatem ut veritatis. Ratione in rerum explicabo iure ad maiores. Occaecati quos error molestiae et doloremque maxime omnis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...