At which level would a newly qualified ACA slot in within investment banking?

Anonymous wrote

Dear Job Doctor,

You mentioned in an earlier blog that the best time to move across to banking as a newly qualified ACA is pretty much directly upon qualification. At which level would a newly qualified ACA slot in within investment banking? As an analyst or an associate?

Thanks for all your help.


A senior consultant in WH Marks Sattin's Financial Services team replied

The level a newly qualified ACA comes into an investment banking team at can vary somewhat between banks, whilst the perceived strength of the candidate can also be taken into account. Generally most will come in at either a senior analyst or first year associate level. Some banks prefer to offer an analyst position with promotion to associate after 12 months to allow time to 'bed in' to their new surroundings in investment banking, others prefer to bring the ACAs on at an associate level with a 'sink or swim' mentality to push them to excel in their first year. Either way, it's a big change from accountancy so the best advice is to only move to a bank where you think there is a good chance you will excel in your first 12 months.

All the best

WH Marks Sattin


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