What does a Investment Banking Analyst do?
A investment banking analyst spends most of their time working with Financial Modeling (3-Statement, LBO, DCF), Valuation (Comps, Precedent Transactions), Pitch Books to solve real problems in finance & accounting. It's a hands-on role where you're expected to pick things up quickly and contribute to projects from day one. Most of your early work will involve investment banking tasks, with plenty of guidance from senior team members.
The people who do well in this role tend to be strong in Due Diligence, Excel (Advanced), PowerPoint, but more importantly, they know how to figure out what they don't know. Finance & Accounting moves fast, and the best investment banking analysts are the ones who can adapt without needing someone to hand them a playbook every time something changes.
Right now, investment banking analyst roles pay in the range of $100,000 - $150,000, and most positions are looking for entry-mid level candidates. It's a competitive field, but companies are hiring. If you've got the right skills and can show real project work, you're in a strong position.
How to get there
Build your foundation in investment banking
Before anything else, get solid on the fundamentals. For investment banking analyst roles, that means understanding Financial Modeling (3-Statement, LBO, DCF) and Valuation (Comps, Precedent Transactions) at a level where you can explain them to someone else. Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick the core topics that show up in every job posting for this role and get genuinely good at them.
Get hands-on with Financial Modeling (3-Statement, LBO, DCF) and Valuation (Comps, Precedent Transactions) and Pitch Books
Reading docs and watching tutorials won't get you hired. You need to actually build things with Financial Modeling (3-Statement, LBO, DCF) and Valuation (Comps, Precedent Transactions) and Pitch Books. Set aside time every week to write code, run experiments, or practice in a real environment. Hiring managers can tell the difference between someone who has used a tool and someone who has just read about it.
Work on real projects
Build financial models in Excel or Python. Analyze a public company and present your findings like you would to a stakeholder. The goal is to have something concrete you can talk about in interviews. "I built X, it does Y, and here's what I learned" is worth more than any course certificate.
Get certified in CFA Level I
For investment banking analyst roles, certifications like CFA Level I actually carry weight with hiring managers. They won't get you the job on their own, but they signal that you've put in structured effort. If you're choosing between certifications, pick the one you see mentioned most in job postings for roles you want.
Target your first investment banking analyst role
Most investment banking analyst positions are entry-mid level and pay around $100,000 - $150,000. When you're applying, tailor your resume for each job. Use the exact skills and keywords from the posting. Don't be picky about company size or brand name early on. A role where you'll learn fast is more valuable than a prestigious name on your resume.
Grow from here
Once you've got a couple years as a investment banking analyst, you'll have options. Roles like Controller, Portfolio Manager are natural next steps in finance & accounting. The key is to keep building depth in your specialty while picking up broader skills like leadership, architecture, and cross-team collaboration. Your career path isn't a straight line, but this gives you a strong starting point.
Skills you'll need
These are the skills that show up most often in investment banking analyst job postings. You don't need all of them on day one, but you should be working toward them.
Certifications that help
These won't get you hired on their own, but they show hiring managers you've put in real study time. Worth it if you're switching careers or don't have much experience yet.
Where this role leads
Related roles in finance & accounting sorted by salary. These are the positions people grow into from investment banking analyst roles.
Controller
Portfolio Manager
Audit Manager
Equity Research Analyst
Compliance Officer
Forensic Accountant
Senior Accountant
Financial Planner
Financial Analyst
FP&A Analyst
Salary Range
Low
$100,000
Midpoint
$125,000
High
$150,000
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