Careers in Finance
Explore career paths in investment banking, M&A, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance and more.
Introduction
What is a career in finance?
A career in finance means helping companies, investors and institutions make decisions about money: raising capital, valuing businesses, structuring deals and managing investments. It spans advisory work at investment banks, buy-side roles at private equity and venture capital firms, and in-house positions in corporate finance teams.
Students choose finance for the steep learning curve, the exposure to high-stakes transactions and the clear path to responsibility early in their career. The work is analytical and demanding, and it opens doors across the entire business world.
Career Paths
Finance career paths
Employers
Featured finance employers
A selection of firms where finance talent builds a career.
Resources
Finance career resources
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about finance careers
What qualifications do I need for a finance career?
Most entry roles ask for a bachelor or master in economics, finance, business or a quantitative field. Strong analytical skills, comfort with Excel and a demonstrable interest in markets matter more than any single degree.
What is the difference between investment banking and private equity?
Investment banking is advisory: you help clients execute deals and raise capital. Private equity is buy-side investing: you buy companies, improve them and sell them for a return. Many people start in banking and move to private equity later.
Do I need finance work experience to get started?
Not to begin, but internships help enormously. Spring weeks, off-cycle internships and summer internships are the main routes into full-time analyst roles, so applying early in your studies is worthwhile.
What does a finance analyst actually do day to day?
Analysts build financial models, prepare presentations, do research and support senior colleagues on live deals or investments. Expect a lot of Excel and PowerPoint, plus long hours during busy periods.
How competitive is recruitment for finance roles?
Front-office roles at top firms are highly competitive, with many applicants per place. Preparation, networking and applying to a broad set of firms all improve your odds.
Which finance path pays the most?
Private equity and investment banking are among the highest paying at senior levels, largely through performance-based bonuses and carried interest. Pay varies widely by firm, role and results.
Can I move between different finance paths?
Yes. The core skills of modelling, valuation and deal work transfer well. Common moves are from investment banking to private equity or corporate development, or from audit into transaction services.
Do I need to know how to code for finance jobs?
For most advisory and investing roles, Excel is the main tool and coding is a plus rather than a requirement. In quantitative, trading and data-heavy roles, programming skills such as Python or SQL become far more important.
What is the typical career progression in finance?
A common path runs from analyst to associate, then vice president, director and managing director or partner. Each step brings more client responsibility, leadership and compensation.
How do I choose which finance path is right for me?
Start from the type of work you enjoy: fast-paced deal advisory, long-term investing, in-depth research or in-house strategy. Internships and conversations with people in each field are the best way to test the fit before you commit.
Start your finance career
Browse open positions or explore the different finance career paths.