NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Better Business Advice has recognized the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) in its newly published report on How to Become an Investment Banker (2025), highlighting the organization’s role as a leading provider of financial education and training for aspiring professionals.
Best Financial Education Provider
- Corporate Finance Institute: delivers professional, job-focused training in investment banking, financial modeling, and valuation, helping learners bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the technical requirements of the industry.
Investment banking remains one of the most competitive fields in global finance. The industry plays a central role in raising capital, advising on mergers and acquisitions, and providing market insights that guide major corporate decisions. Each year, thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of analyst positions, where the odds of selection can be as steep as one hundred applicants for every opening.
Against this backdrop, the demand for structured training and certification programs has grown, as employers continue to seek candidates who can demonstrate practical skills from the outset. Programs developed by the Corporate Finance Institute respond to this need by offering industry-recognized certifications designed by seasoned practitioners.
The curriculum bridges the gap between theory and real-world application through case studies, financial modeling, and tools that mirror the workflows of global banks. By enrolling, learners gain access to training that reflects the same standards investment banks apply in their own analyst programs.
The Investment Banking Career Path
An investment banking career begins with technical analysis and financial modeling at the analyst level. Analysts spend long hours constructing models, conducting valuation exercises, and preparing presentation materials for client meetings. Associates oversee this work while also coordinating directly with clients.
At more senior levels, responsibilities expand into negotiation, relationship management, and origination of new business. The progression is structured, with each stage requiring mastery of both technical knowledge and strategic communication.
To succeed, aspiring professionals must be equipped not only with theoretical understanding but also the ability to apply financial tools under pressure. The need for rigorous training has created opportunities for specialized education providers to deliver programs that align with the standards of banks and financial institutions.
Traditional investment banks run intensive training programs for new analysts, often spanning several weeks and combining long classroom sessions with networking opportunities.
These programs emphasize both theory and practice, covering accounting fundamentals, financial statement analysis, financial modeling, corporate valuation, Excel proficiency, mergers and acquisitions, the IPO process, and the bank’s suite of products. Beyond technical instruction, they also serve as a way for analysts to build relationships and navigate the social structures of the bank.
The Role of CFI in Professional Preparation
Better Business Advice noted that CFI has developed a portfolio of courses and certifications that mirror the training new analysts receive when they join global banks. Programs such as the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® have become recognized for their applied learning approach. Learners construct three-statement models, perform discounted cash flow and leveraged buyout analyses, and build merger models that test deal outcomes. Beyond technical modeling, participants also prepare pitchbooks and valuation cases that replicate real-world workflows.
This project-based design ensures that learners are not only familiar with theory but can also execute tasks that hiring managers expect of analysts. Such preparation is especially valuable in a field where interviews often test knowledge of valuation methods or deal mechanics, and where the first year on the job demands fluency in Excel-based modeling and client deliverables.
The recognition also reflects the broader value of CFI’s framework. By focusing on the practical application of technical skills, the FMVA program provides learners with confidence that translates directly into performance on the desk. According to data cited in the report, more than 85 percent of hiring managers recognize FMVA certification as evidence of technical readiness. Many participants report career benefits such as promotions, successful transitions into investment banking, or enhanced credibility with employers.
To remain competitive in a fast-moving industry, FMVA participants have access to more than 550 hours of accredited coursework that qualifies for CPE and CPD credits. This structure provides a pathway for continuous professional development and supports compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring that skills acquired through the program stay current and applicable over time.
Complementary Programs and Foundational Skills
The report also identified the importance of complementary certifications for professionals aiming to strengthen their knowledge across finance disciplines. CFI’s Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (FPAP™) certification addresses forecasting, scenario planning, and performance reporting, skills that are essential for strategic finance roles. The Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA®) certification provides grounding in equities, fixed income, and derivatives, reflecting the capital markets knowledge that often arises in banking interviews and client conversations.
In addition to certifications, a series of foundational courses reinforce the skills that underpin valuation and deal analysis. The Accounting Fundamentals course trains learners to record transactions and prepare income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements across multiple periods. The Corporate Finance Fundamentals course introduces the principles of capital investment, financing decisions, and shareholder value creation. The Financial Analysis Fundamentals course emphasizes ratio analysis, trend evaluation, and benchmarking through the DuPont Pyramid. Together, these programs ensure that learners gain both technical fluency and the ability to interpret financial statements as a narrative about business performance.
Industry Relevance and Career Application
The recognition from Better Business Advice comes at a time when the role of investment bankers is under greater pressure. Cross-border transactions are becoming more complex, regulatory oversight remains intensive, and clients require both technical precision and strategic judgment in every engagement. The environment leaves little margin for extended training once analysts are hired.
The report highlights that CFI’s training responds directly to these industry demands. By replicating the pace and expectations of the analyst desk, courses prepare learners to deliver work that meets professional standards from the outset. Candidates who complete the FMVA or related programs are better positioned in interviews, able to demonstrate valuation methods and explain transaction structures with confidence. In the workplace, the ability to refine merger models, perform sensitivity analyses for IPOs, and benchmark corporate performance provides immediate value to banks and clients alike.
The Long Road of an Investment Banking Career
Better Business Advice emphasized that investment banking is not only competitive at the entry level but also demanding throughout a professional’s career. Analysts who begin with technical work eventually move into senior positions that require negotiation, leadership, and client origination. While the focus of responsibilities shifts, the technical foundation built early on remains vital for decision-making.
Continuing education is therefore essential. Market conditions change quickly, financial products evolve, and regulatory frameworks adapt to new realities. By offering over 250 on-demand courses, CFI provides opportunities for learners to continually refine their knowledge and remain competitive as they progress in their career.
The Better Business Advice report concludes that investment banking careers will continue to attract ambitious professionals seeking influence, compensation, and exposure to high-stakes corporate finance. At the same time, the pathway into the industry is increasingly defined by the ability to demonstrate technical skills and practical readiness.
CFI’s programs, ranging from FMVA to FPAP, CMSA, and core fundamentals, offer structured preparation that aligns with the expectations of global banks and financial institutions.
For aspiring professionals, the recognition signals that structured learning is no longer optional but a decisive factor in building a successful career in the field.
The full report on the Corporate Finance Institute is available at Better Business Advice.
About CFI
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) is the number one rated online provider of finance and banking training, certifications, and productivity tools. With the industry’s leading training library, CFI empowers professionals and teams with job-ready skills and practical resources to succeed in diverse roles within finance and banking. Established in 2016, CFI is trusted by over 2.8 million individuals and thousands of organizations worldwide.
About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-to-become-an-investment-banker-2025-better-business-advice-publishes-report-highlighting-cfi-as-top-financial-education-provider-302554261.html
SOURCE BetterBusinessAdvice.com
