Finance Analyst AMA

I'm currently working at an investment bank in London in the finance division in product control. Graduated from Bristol uni (studied accounting and finance). Feel free to ask any questions, feel like giving back a bit to a very useful forum. I remember the times when I used to go on here for careers advice lol.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

Student1191

21

Original post by MoSaqib

Working at an investment bank in London in the finance division in product control. Graduated from Bristol uni (studied accounting and finance).

Idc

Reply 2

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Reece.W.J

Idc

Cared enough to post this though, interesting

Reply 3

Hirsty97

21

Do you think students from Oxbridge/LSE/ UCL have an easier time getting into high-finance than those that go to Bristol, Bath, KCL or Exeter?

Just wondering as I'm considering the opportunity cost of taking a year out to increase the odds of a successful Oxford application next year. Also is PPE a course conducive to i-banking?

Reply 4

BenMurphy11

7

Original post by MoSaqib

Working at an investment bank in London in the finance division in product control. Graduated from Bristol uni (studied accounting and finance).

I have a few since i see myself following a similar path

What are the hours like?
How is pay?
Was it easy to get into your job after uni?
How did you find your degree?

Typical day?

Original post by MoSaqib

Cared enough to post this though, interesting

Not at all

Reply 7

BBBBBBBI

1

Original post by Hirsty97

Do you think students from Oxbridge/LSE/ UCL have an easier time getting into high-finance than those that go to Bristol, Bath, KCL or Exeter?

Just wondering as I'm considering the opportunity cost of taking a year out to increase the odds of a successful Oxford application next year. Also is PPE a course conducive to i-banking?

What subjects do you do?

Reply 8

Maaaths

18

do I need A Level further maths to get where you are

Reply 9

Hirsty97

21

Original post by BBBBBBBI

What subjects do you do?

Maths and Btec business with completed a levels in history and English Literature. Received two Cs. Predicted D*x3 and A* in first two. Would take a gap year to study economics under the new module to an A* standard while travelling to enhance my language capabilities. Even though PPE requriements say Dx3 and A at A level, I doubt that would suffice because of how competitive it is.

Reply 10

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Hirsty97

Do you think students from Oxbridge/LSE/ UCL have an easier time getting into high-finance than those that go to Bristol, Bath, KCL or Exeter?

Just wondering as I'm considering the opportunity cost of taking a year out to increase the odds of a successful Oxford application next year. Also is PPE a course conducive to i-banking?

Depends on the division. In IBD, definitely. In finance, not so much.
PPE will get you into any banking job, especially if it's Oxford or LSE PPE.

Original post by BenMurphy11

I have a few since i see myself following a similar path

What are the hours like?
How is pay?
Was it easy to get into your job after uni?
How did you find your degree?

Hours are 8-6, 5 days a week usually, but I'm also training for the ACA qualification so I can leave earlier to study.
Base pay is in the thirties plus you get a small bonus (don't want to go into specifics). I've only been working there for a few months.
I did an internship which was quite hard to get into, involved numerical tests plus multiple interviews and a presentation. Once I finished the internship, everyone in the finance division including me got a full time offer. So once you get the internship it's pretty straightforward.
My degree was quite easy, allowed me to pursue extracurricular interests and find out more about different careers I might be interested in.

Reply 11

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Ganjaweed Rebel

Typical day?

Pretty much like this
http://mralexli216.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/good-day-in-life-of-product-controller.html

Reply 12

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Maaaths

do I need A Level further maths to get where you are

No

Reply 13

Maaaths

18

What A Levels did you do

Reply 14

Ganjaweed Rebel

17

Original post by MoSaqib

Pretty much like this
http://mralexli216.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/good-day-in-life-of-product-controller.html

How many years of this slavery do you have to put up with until you get to do fulfilling work?

Reply 15

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Maaaths

What A Levels did you do

Maths, economics, physics

Reply 16

MoSaqib

OP

9

Original post by Ganjaweed Rebel

How many years of this slavery do you have to put up with until you get to do fulfilling work?

I find it fulfilling. If you like working with numbers and don't want too much stress this is a good job to have. I'm satisfied with it. I don't see how it's 'slavery'- I'm being paid and I like the job, unlike a slave

Reply 17

Maaaths

18

Original post by MoSaqib

Maths, economics, physics

I'm doing maths economics and philosophy&ethics, will that put me at a disadvantage for getting into a good uni for an economics, finance or ppe degree

Reply 18

Ganjaweed Rebel

17

Original post by MoSaqib

I find it fulfilling. If you like working with numbers and don't want too much stress this is a good job to have. I'm satisfied with it. I don't see how it's 'slavery'- I'm being paid and I like the job.