Breaking into a career in investment banking is a notoriously difficult task, with recruiters often receiving thousands of applications for a single job opening. In such a competitive field, it's crucial to find a way to stand out from the crowd. To do so, you must showcase something on your CV that sets you apart from others and demonstrates your commitment and understanding of what it takes to succeed in this highly demanding industry. Building a flawless resume and achieving exceptional academic results are essential in securing an advantage over other candidates.
While success in investment banking is influenced by various factors, some of which are beyond your control, there are plenty of steps you can take to improve your chances. Developing strong soft skills, pursuing academic excellence, participating in extracurricular activities, obtaining investment banking certifications, and more, all contribute to creating a well-rounded package that can help you get ahead in this competitive field.
When searching for an investment banking certification or course, consider the following points:
- Role-Specific: Not all certifications are relevant to investment banking. Look for those that are specific to M&A, financial modeling, Debt & Equity Capital Markets, and other relevant areas.
- Brand Value: Look for certifications that add value to your CV and demonstrate your interest in the field. This can make a positive impression on recruiters who often have limited time to review applications.
- Available at the start of your career: Prestigious certifications such as the CFA and FRM require several years of work experience and take a long time to complete. Consider certification such as the Chartered Investment Banking Professional (CIBPTM) that can be earned during the initial years of your career, rather than years down the line.
Top Investment banking certifications for 2023
Certified Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst
Offered by: Chartered Financial Institute (CFI)
Format: Online
CFI’s Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) is a certification in investment banking that equips learners with the essential skills required to perform practical financial analysis. In today’s finance industry, financial models play a critical role in the decision-making process. By following the recommended financial modeling courses, learners can learn the best way to structure their models to instill confidence in stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.
The FMVA certification program teaches financial modeling skills, helps streamline budgeting and forecasting processes, and improves competency levels across the entire accounting and finance spectrum. Upon completion, the FMVA certification provides learners with all the skills, tools, and techniques required to become a world-class financial professional.
Certified Investment Banking Professional (CIBP™)
Offered by: Investment Banking Council of America (IBCA)
Format: Online
The Chartered Investment Banking Professional (CIBP™) qualification offers finance professionals the opportunity to elevate their expertise, credentials, and qualifications to match those of the top investment bankers in the industry. This international qualification is particularly valuable for recent finance or MBA graduates who aspire to secure challenging roles in global investment banks.
Students of finance and business schools worldwide, looking for a successful career in investment banking are increasingly choosing to pursue the CIBP™ program to expand their career prospects in investment banking advisory, underwriting, M&A, sales, trading, and financial analysis.
The CIBP™ program is built on the IBANX™ framework, which incorporates extensive market and technical research on the knowledge and skills required to excel in key roles within the investment banking industry. The development of this program has been guided by input from numerous investment bankers, valuation experts, investment firms, capital market advisors, private equity companies, leading private investors, investment principals, as well as several leading investment and asset managers.
Advanced Valuation and Strategy - M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital
Offered by: Erasmus University, Rotterdam
Format: Online
This online course offered by Erasmus University, Rotterdam, provides a comprehensive overview of investment banking at three different levels of difficulty. Taught by the university’s corporate finance lecturers through video, the course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of investment banking. With approximately 16 hours of video content, the course also includes a series of quantitatively challenging quizzes at each level to ensure that you fully grasp the key concepts.
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Offered by: Bocconi University
Format: Online
Bocconi University’s online course on Private Equity and Venture Capital is spread over 5 weeks and covers four different areas. The course begins with an introduction to private equity and venture capital, followed by legal and tax issues in private equity, how private equity and venture capital funds are managed, and finally, company valuation and deal-making.
Each module builds upon the knowledge gained in the previous ones, and the course concludes with a test. Successful completion of the test leads to a certificate, which, although not an official qualification, is endorsed by one of the world’s finest financial schools.
To sum up…
Obtaining a certification in investment banking can greatly enhance your chances of breaking into this competitive industry. By demonstrating your commitment to the field, highlighting your relevant skills and knowledge, and standing out from the sea of candidates, you can make a strong impression on recruiters and hiring managers. Whether you choose a program focused on financial modeling, M&A, private equity, or another area, the right certification can help you achieve your career goals and thrive in the fast-paced world of investment banking career.
