Ranking Finance Careers (Tier List)

Here is a tiered ranking of many of the career opportunities in the finance industry.

Link to my course- The CFA Study Blueprint:

See how many of them stack up relative to one another. This list includes many of the most common careers in finance. These rankings are my opinions, but also consider some of the more popular opinions out there. Decide on your career in finance using this tier ranking list!

If you have an idea of something you want me to cover in depth, please let me know because I take your requests seriously. Will be back with more CFA Exam tips in a couple of weeks so please submit more questions you would like to hear answered. Love you all!

*** The information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional financial advice. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your financial or tax professional***

[starlord]

Spoke to a charterholder today (in real life). He said it’s about the journey, not the ending. He said enjoy studying, don’t do it if you’re stressing out. He said it’s suppose to be enjoyable and enlightening.

[NotstarvinMarvin]

Severely accurate depiction of retail banking lmao.

[TT-qcmu]

I really enjoy compliance, easy work, good pay, excellent work life balance. I listen to podcasts and music all day working on reports due weeks in advance. It's chill and i love it

[jptamayo]

I work in corporate finance but for a smaller company that’s not yet public and I really like it. I get solid variety in my work and get to have some input on decision making. Also the worklife balance is AWESOME which isn’t typical of finance. Hybrid work and only like 25-35 hr a week!

[ZorgShip]

Retail banking is awful. Another terrible thing is the job security, I myself got laid off in March from a firm-wide restructuring. Retail banking jobs are super disposable. I'm looking to move into a non-sales position going forward!

[m.]

I’m a MBA graduate (Finance), currently playing professional basketball in Europe. The last bit at the end about not loving anything you have to do everyday felt like you were talking to me personally. Thanks for the video, I don’t have any traditional work experience in the field and this video has helped me a lot.

[danielrv]

I find the DCF models the most interesting part of equity research, coming up with forecasting ideas is really exciting for me.

[roses.]

Honestly, Retail Banking was the absolute worst finance role I have done, literally just getting yelled at all day lol, especially with lending where you have to turn people away for loans/mortgages, etc :(. So glad to be a CFP and working in wealth management now. I love it, it's so rewarding (excluding the last 10 months lol, but it's still rewarding to give guidance during hard times)

[lalaleelee]

I agree that we do NOT have to love what we do. It is work. Period. Nothing magical about. But yes, your list is well shared and summed up. Thanks!

[rimun]

Fixed Income research is work life balance at its finest. Can't believe it ranks on par with Investment banking. You get decent pay, and the skills without the back breaking work.

[TheGaryDaniel]

Retail banking here. Worked my way up to being an investment/portfolio affluent banker. When you have the Series 7/66 and are a higher up banker, you don’t help just anyone off the street. The regular bankers do that and they have to transfer all the high affluent customers to you. You make a rather big salary and if you are successful in bringing in new clients, you get big quarterly bonuses too. Not the best career but definitely not D tier. Maybe c+ to b tier.

[mhug]

Great list, lines up with what I hear. I'm aiming to get in Broking which is basically sales but in Commodities which is less public facing than stockbroking, should be more interesting and secure.

[mwong]

I am not in finance but this video was informative, thanks! I like that there aren't any S-tier jobs.

[SergioTaz]

Truth be told:
An accounting or finance degree opens up many opportunities for you!
But in general most jobs are very boring. I love the business area and I graduated in finance, today I am also graduating in accounting (which is exclusive to the market here in Brazil).

Despite these two degrees, my main highlight is in the area of business management.
Focusing on business performance, increasing sales, reducing costs, expanding profit margins and good financial planning for investment applications while maintaining fiscal and accounting integrity.

At this point, a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting is extremely important in my career for me to be a Manager/Controller/CEO with strong management skills aligned with a high technical level in financial analysis.

[lilmizzije]

Video was really helpful. I work in compliance and i HATE it. I need an alternative role in Finance.

[christianpenchev]

Not sure why you didn't mention Commercial credit. It's related to fixed income, but quite a bit different. The hours are very good and the pay is decent. Really underrated job.

[maxcuenca]

I work in Retail banking for JP Morgan Chase. I think your job description of it is fairly accurate. I almost left the positon then found a differnt branch located near the 1% earners of my city. I will say the job becuase fairly lucrative and rewarding if you can join the 1% of high achieving branches in my opinion.

Thanks for this incredible video. How will you rate jobs in risk management profiles ?

[GabrielBegali]

Totally agree about IBD, worst days in my career by far

[ranendranarayanbose]

ex Big 4 consulting, presently a software engineer at a FAANG company.
GMAT score 760 (2 weeks back).
I will spend some time learning about corporate finance
As of now, I don't really have a clue but it's common knowledge that this industry pays well.