Investment banking is a rewarding job option for hopefuls seeking a demanding career in today’s financial-corporate environment. In addition to being in demand, it also promises a strong growth trajectory, meaning that every bit of effort you put in will be rewarded handsomely in terms of money, recognition, and job satisfaction.
When we say that working in investment banking is difficult, we mean that you may occasionally have to sacrifice sleep and sanity to crunch statistics. However, if you excel at what you do, you will be highly rewarded. You will experience significant personal growth as you contribute to the financial success of your client or business, and you will profit financially from your consistent professional advancement.
Once you gain experience as an investment banker, several more well-known occupations in finance will come in your footsteps for a later-life job that is more secure, satisfying, and laid-back. You must keep in mind that this sector is growing at a fast pace and is expected to grow even more in the coming years.
Now, before we start discussing the eligibility criteria for becoming an investment banker, let us look at a few skills required to be one.
Being an investment banker requires the following skills:
- Mathematical skills
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Project Management
- Problem- Solving
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming an Investment Banker
The requirements for becoming an investment banker differ between industries and businesses. Top financial colleges favour MBA (Finance) graduates, while FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies are likely to provide the position to a B.Com graduate.
An in-depth understanding of business, finance, economics, and arithmetic might provide you with an advantage over typical candidates who lack a background in business and finance. This is in addition to the educational requirements starting with graduation and going as high as Chartered Accountant. An outline of the steps to becoming an investment banker will be provided in this article.
Bachelor’s Degree:
Graduates in finance, accounting, or commerce may obtain entry-level positions in investment banking. For instance, graduates can work as interns at a brokerage or investing businesses or as Junior Analysts at banks and financial institutions. However, as a graduate, you must work hard, be diligent, and perform well to go up the corporate ladder.
Even though this may seem like a good entrance point into the field of investment banking, your ability to land high-profile and well-paying job responsibilities in this industry may be hindered by your lack of specialised training, further education, and experience. The average salary for an intern in an investment banking/ venture capital/ private equities company is ₹5 Lakhs per year.
MBA in Finance:
One of the several routes into the Investment Banking industry is the MBA (Finance). This postgraduate course prepares students for a future in investment banking by covering all important topics like business management, accounting, marketing, commercial acumen, finance, and financial analysis. Additionally, there are many opportunities for students to network with peers and business leaders.
Candidates with an MBA in Finance can obtain profitable positions in startups, banking, financial services, insurance, and fintech. A highly strong area of study is the MBA with a focus on finance, which offers numerous doors to careers in investment banking, research analysis, asset management, equity management, financial consulting, etc. The management of a company’s financial portfolio is entrusted to the same expertise and seasoned personnel, making it a vital area of business. And the pay that finance experts receive reflects this. A highly solid foundation in finance is expected of an investment banker.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA):
A Chartered Financial Analyst will have little trouble breaking into the investment banking industry. You can discover acceptable work opportunities in reputable banks, financial institutions, investment firms, brokerage firms, insurance agencies, and management consultancies because your school background already provides access to the IB industry. The demand for CFAs will not decline in the near future; rather, it will become the profession with the highest demand. The increased demand for financial specialists is the same as the competitive pay these professionals receive.
CA :
Another desirable qualification for employment as an investment banker is a Chartered Accountant. The candidate has extensive training in finance, money markets, stocks, securities, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, law, and other areas as a CA. They can lock and load for employment as investment bankers in banking and non-banking institutions thanks to this. A chartered accountant’s range of responsibilities is expanding. The market is seeing an increase in startups, there are more taxpayers, and the government is introducing new regulations and policies, among other factors. As a result, a CA is given duties to handle the accounts.
These are a few educational qualifications that are needed to become an investment officer. The best university to pursue Bachelors or Masters in Finance, then Marwadi University is your best bet. Visit their official website to know more about the courses they offer!
