A comprehensive guide to investment banking courses

Investment banking involves raising funds, administering securities, investments, and fundraising from the capital markets. This field requires an aptitude for numbers and real-world experience apart from acquiring relevant degrees for a successful career. Further, investment banking also involves developing financial plans for mergers and acquisitions and asset management. Let’s look at some investment banking courses to learn more about getting started in this field.

Benefits of investment banking courses

• Investment banking courses educate students on planning, coordinating, developing, and implementing financial investment plans.
• These courses look at how experts may assist businesses, organizations, and individuals in managing and growing their financial assets.
• They also help candidates assist businesses in making informed judgments regarding investing their firms’ assets to increase the value of their holdings.

Popular investment banking courses

Here are some of the investment banking courses you can opt for – 

1. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

One of the most respected designations in finance, a CFA is globally recognized and has a gold standard in the field of investment and analytics. A CFA program requires candidates to pass three exams that require discipline and extensive studying. Moreover, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of professional work experience. The designation of a CFA is given by the CFA Institute on successful completion of the three exams.

2. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

A CFP is a designation presented by the Certified Planner Board of Standards, Inc., to candidates who pass the CFP Board’s exams and along with their annual education programs to further develop their skills. A CFP program enables you to become an investment advisor. You learn to evaluate the current finances of your client, which include cash assets, investments, and properties, and take into account any liabilities like mortgage and student debt. This means you can work in wealth management, retail banking, or private banking.

3. Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)

The curriculum for CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is based on the strategic and risk management aspects. With this certification, you learn about asset allocation, ethics, due diligence, investment policy, and performance measurement. This certification also requires a high level of consulting expertise; therefore, aspirants require at least three years of professional expertise to be eligible for the CIMA. These courses are offered by the Investments and Wealth Institute.

4. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

The ACCA is a recognized global accounting qualification that provides a strong foundation to aspirants for careers like accounting, tax consulting, auditing, business evaluation, and treasury management. The ACCA certification establishes you as a capable professional in all business areas. 

5. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

The ChFC certification program is administered by the American College of Financial Services and represents a completion of a comprehensive course in financial education. It requires aspirants to develop a thorough and vast understanding of financial planning and students will need to pass exams to earn this designation. They will be tested on topics like income tax, financial planning, insurance, investment, retirement, asset protection, and estate planning. Moreover, aspirants must have a bachelor’s degree and nearly 3 years of experience in a financial industry position.

Course syllabus

The investment banking course duration is two years and is divided into semesters. We have listed the subjects below.

Microeconomics	Financial modeling
Principles of management and organizational behavior	Business Analysis tools
Quantitative techniques for management	Total quality management
Industrial project management	Purchasing and procurement management
Management Information systems	Business environment and ethics
Managerial Economics	Supply chain management
Information technology	Project Management and documentation
Corporate communication	Strategic management
Human resources management	Enterprise resource and planning

Case studies, projects, and hands-on experiences are some of the interactive learning strategies used in the curriculum of most investment banking courses.

Relationship Associate, Investment Associate, Equity Analyst, and Investment Writer are some of the most popular jobs that an investment banking professional can opt for.

Eligibility

Becoming an investment banker requires aspirants to have a thorough grasp of financial assets and the investment scenario. Investment banking is a highly competitive field, and therefore students who have professional degrees in a relevant subject have an edge. If a student wants to work in investment banking straight after high school, they should enroll in a bachelor’s degree program such as B.Com or Bachelor of Economics and start appearing for relevant investment banking exams.

Academic performance, minimum percentage, work experience in the field (preferred), age limit, and admission prerequisites are all part of the qualifying criteria for investment banking certifications. While each institute and course has a distinct set of eligibility requirements, here are some of the common eligibility criteria –

• You must have earned a minimum of 45% in any specialization during your undergraduate studies.
• You must pass the entrance examination administered by the admissions authority.
• To be admitted to your preferred institute, you must pass the personal interview round.

One of the best ways to get your foot in the door is to complete the CFA, which is committed to training professionals in investment and finance. Many of the best recruitment firms prefer professionals who have completed their CFA courses.

A professional can opt for this field and gain basic knowledge with undergraduate-level qualifications. However, after 2–3 years of experience, a candidate’s ability to advance in the industry requires a postgraduate-level study such as an MBA in Finance.

Investment banking books 

Here are some investment banking books that can help you gain a competitive edge.

• The Accidental Investment Banker – Knee Jonathan
• Investment Banks, Hedge Funds and Private Equity – David Stowell
• The Business of Investment Banking – K Thomas Liaw
• Doing Deals: Investment Banks At Work – Robert G.Eccles and Dwight B.Crane
• Monkey Business – John Rolfe, Peter Troob
• Money and Power: How Goldman Sachs came to rule the world – William Cohen

What we have to say

While globalization has resulted in a growth in financial ongoings, it has also led to the requirement for skilled investment banking professionals. This reason can be the biggest driving factor for the rise of this vocation in recent years. These development prospects help with a rewarding salary and promise career growth.

If you are good at handling finances and understanding the investment scenario, a career in investment banking may be the right option for you.

Liked this blog? Read MBA Finance Subjects | A Comprehensive Guide for you!

FAQs

Q1. What course do investment bankers need?

Answer – To become an investment banker, you will need to have a degree in finance, business administration, accounting, and other such disciplines and then you may choose to earn certifications that align with your area of expertise.

Q2. Can I apply for entry-level jobs in investment banking with a CFA certification?

Answer – Yes, a CFA certification can help with an entry-level job in investment banking.

Q3. Can you pursue investment banking courses if you haven’t opted for Maths in 12th grade?

Answer – To pursue a career in investment banking, you do not need to study maths in high school, but having a complete understanding of finance and mathematics will offer you an advantage in the job market.