<p>More and more often PPA and accounting majors are being recruited for investment banking analyst positions because of the heavy accounting skills required for these positions. Whether its due to analyzing financial statements, understanding the tax implications of a merger, or studying the effects of a new SEC regulation, PPA and accounting majors are well positioned to enter this high risk, high reward field."
<a href="http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/stude...itor/whyppa.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/stude...itor/whyppa.asp</a></p>
<p>So I ask my question again, if I receive a CPA certification straight outta undergrad (which is totally possible because of the CPA training courses that the Haas school of Business @ Berkeley offers), will I have an edge in obtaining an Ibanking position at a top firm???</p>
<p>I know several people in the field--family friends, parents of friends from school, etc. I don't think a CPA helps in investment banking. I doubt most bankers even have CPAs or ever tried for one. You need to be from a good school, get good grades, and need strong internship experience.</p>
<p>well, the PPA program is kind of special. I know someone who graduated from it and worked a year at PWC before getting a job at Goldman Sachs. So maybe, but I dunno.</p>
<p>the only things you can do to improve your chances of getting an ibanking job are 1. getting into an ivy (especially wharton at penn - as about 40% of the class goes into ibanking),duke,mit,gtown,stanford,etc. (a top 15 school) 2. get good grades 3. get good internships. </p>
<p>a CPA is not going to help or give you an edge.</p>
<p>It doesnt get you any edge. Get yourself out and talk to ibanks and try and get internships. This is business a social field. Connections are what matters. If you weren't born into a family with connections you need to go out and meet people willing to back your app up. Thats more important than any CPA out there.</p>