Career in Investment banking is considered prestigious.

An investment bank is a financial institution that assists individuals, corporations, and government in raising capital by countersigning as the client’s agent in the issuance of securities. It may also assist companies involved in mergers and acquisitions and provide subsidiary services such as trading of derivatives, equity securities, market making, income instruments, currencies and more. Investment banking courses may take several forms, depending on where the course is being taught, the various aspects being covered, and whether or not the training is focused on a degree, diploma or certification program.

Investment Banking Courses are taught in the following manner:

·          Some investment banking training programs are taught in traditional classroom setting hosted by the universities, technical school or training institutes and companies.

·         Other courses are taught online, using websites with audio and/or video access to convey lessons, information, and tests from the teacher to the pupil.

·         One who lacks time due to a hectic schedule can use self-study packages for self-guided training.

Also, before selecting a course, following steps are needed to be considered to ensure that the training provided is the best fit for the needs of the students:

·         Assessment of delicate situations

·         Evaluation based on cost, quality and time obligation

• analysis of feedback from others online
• Selecting the best fit
• Setting-up objectives for your training experience

The finance and service industry is revolutionizing itself in response to the market forces. Investment banking is a course that offers lucrative career opportunities within the financial industry for diligent and highly motivated individuals. Students who are looking forward to a career in investment banking need to understand the exact purpose of this job and the know-hows and principles of this sector.

Investment banking course are productive:

·         In the time of financial turmoil and market ambiguity, there is significant demand for skilled, disciplined and highly trained professionals.

·         People from diverse backgrounds looking for vocation options find that an investment banking course can provide captivating new directions to chase.

·         Whether you are just initializing your search for a challenging and rewarding field or you are on a look out for a new career path to augment, these courses are extremely productive.

·         Also, for those who wish to replace their existing jobs or is just looking out for a training program in investment banking to get ahead with their current job know that these courses are worth following.

·         Many different kinds of investment banking classes are available, tailored to different schedules, budgets, and levels of previous education.

Though this course does not deal with interactive features like computer training and information technology usage; many students pursue financial modeling and investment banking courses through books and other detailed manuals available at all leading book stores.

Finance certification courses for a career in financial management

Finance is a process through which a particular company or a person gains insights on investing their money to attain higher returns. Finance management is the backbone of any organization be it a massive corporate, or a big business house or a financial institution due to which finance certification courses are initiated to hone a candidate in terms of taxation, accounting and auditing.

Financial modeling is one of the most fundamental and coveted skills and everybody in the finance industry would agree with that. It is characterized by building non-figurative representations of financial decision-making system. These models represent a very basic version of the business, project or portfolio’s performance. An individual with the knowledge and complete understanding of the financial concepts and models will definitely have a creative edge over competitors and colleagues as well. And that is exactly why financial modeling course has been designed. It teaches one the skills of building an abstract model to explain financial statements and analysis of the investments. It involves an interesting combination of science, mathematics and finance.

 Financial modeling is considered to be the science that helps business corporate to evaluate the financial situations. It typically makes use of Microsoft Excel to depict the problems and notions along with how to arrive at the ideal business solutions by analyzing a range of various factors. It allows its users to predict the future problems and to provide with the measures even before the problem takes place. Thus, it is all about structured thinking to arrive at sensible decisions.

Advantages of studying this course –

The most essential thing one can learn through this is to make calculations, predictions and preferred solutions by creating a model out of the given financial data. The results found are accurate and you can always rely on them. You need to remember that the same inputs will always provide you with the same answers and that is how your decisions will be made on reliable data and not on guesswork or intuition. Once you familiarize yourself with the model and follow the basic rules, you will have no trouble in running the model.

Another massive benefit you get is that you end up minimizing the financial risks in one’s business. When you can predict the future problems, you can come up with the countermeasures and solutions and solve the tragedy even before it comes into physical existence. Financial modeling course teaches you how to produce different graphs to help different people understand the results. These graphs automatically adapt the changes you have made to the values so you need not do that all over again. Also, you can play around with different angles and situations without rebuilding the entire financial model. This will not only give you efficiency in the art of problem-solving but also increase your knowledge in financial strategizing.

Every business case relies heavily on these models. The field of finance management comprises of multiple courses be it certificate courses in banking or certificate course in banking and finance, the financial modeling course is necessary for effective strategy planning and operational analysis providing an individual with a number of career options ranging from a financial planner to sales.

Benefits of pursuing a certified business analysis professional course

A business analyst determines the needs of an organization and then works to improve its abilities to meet them. They analyze the relevant data, research the findings and then recommend a course of action that can help solve the problem even before it comes into existence. Certification in a specific field often provides an individual with a deeper knowledge of the profession they have chosen. If one is interested in pursuing a career as a business analyst and has acquainted significant experience, then acquiring the certified business analysis professional designation is strongly recommended, especially when your job titles do not reflect your experience in the business or you are finding it hard to get your resume noticed.

How to initiate the process of the course-

This designation represents that you are a senior analyst as defined by the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge. That means preparing for this certification requires you to saturate the dense text in the BABOK. Many business analysts prefer joining a study group. This group can be formal which means complete focus on exams or informal where you only go through the book. Study groups can help you learn from other business analyst professional and also provide a forum for you to share your own experiences.

Next thing to keep in mind is that to complete the CBAP application, you must have 21 documented professional development hours in the past four years. You might also want to consider taking a few more courses to explore the BABOK in detail and interact with people who have passed the examination. 

Applying for the CBAP requires five years of experience in the field of analysis and also to demonstrate 900 hours of experience in any four out of the six knowledge areas. This certification of business analyst is considered to be of utmost importance as it collates experience across all kinds of analysts. So, studying for this test involves aligning your experiences as a BA with the common understanding of the role.

Advantages of this course – By studying for this, you gain a broader perspective of the profession. Also, developing the firm foundation behind your knowledge as an analyst gives you the power to take control of it and also puts you in the position to structure you work as a business analyst in a more productive way. It can get your foot in the door with certain employers and this tendency increases over time, especially if the International Institute of Business Analysis continues to grow.

Having this certification will create more interests in you as a thorough professional and it is also an indication that you are passionate and determined enough about your profession to dedicate the energy and time that you invest towards achieving the course. Moreover, it will help you gain respect within your current work position.

By pursuing a career in the field of business analysis, one can help an organization remain at the top of its game in this competitive market place. One of the best ways to do so is by applying for a certification of business analyst as this will not only help you hone the specific skills but also give you the exposure you need to survive in the finance industry.

Certification courses in Finance to boost your career

Now-a-days, when there is cut throat competition in every field, nobody can afford to rely on either college studies or study materials. Few students also discontinue the course after finding it very difficult to pass the examination. Failure is the stepping stone for success. Some may not realize that they are very near to the success but leaving the course. If you take some good basic steps , then , you cannot be a failure in this course. Almost every company gives high weightage to practical knowledge, no matter whether you are a CA/CWA or a MBA from reputed institute. So, in this article we have tried to compile a list of some important areas which can help you to boost your career.

I. SAP FICO – These days most of the large scale organizations use sophisticated software like SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, JDedwards etc. SAP being the most preferred ERP Package. While the original finance certification course may cost you more than Rs 3 Lakhs but you can gain working knowledge of this software from any good training institute within 40-60k. And then you can improve your skills through online tutorials and books like SAP FICO Blackbook, SAP ERP Financials and FICO Handbook by S.N. Padhi etc. Tally has limited reach now.

II. Microsoft EXCEL Advance knowledge -   We all know how important it is to have advance knowledge of Excel because of its high use in financial analysis and management, MIS, budgeting, KPIs etc. You have to have knowledge of advance functions like VBA macros, sorting & filtering, pivot table, charts, graphs, V/H Look up logical and mathematical functions etc.

III. IFRS CERTIFICATION - Almost every company/Big 4s demand high knowledge of Ind AS, IFRS, US GAAP. Merely studying a course book will not be sufficient, it’s very important to know how to apply them practically. In interviews of Big 4s and large scale organizations, they pose practical situations and ask how to deal with them. Basic knowledge of AS/Ind AS will not work when the situation demands systematic application and explanation in practical scenarios.

IV. Financial Modeling - Knowledge of financial modeling is extremely important when you have to deal in mergers & acquisitions, project finance, risk evaluation, decision making, private equity etc. There are various institutes which offer short term certification courses in finance modeling through systematic modules.

V. NSE/BSE Certification - If you want to join an organization which deals in Equity, trading, derivative market, capital markets, Portfolio management. Then doing finance certifications courses in these areas will be highly beneficial for building a strong foundation.

VI. Certification course in Investment banking and Financial Research - If you want to build your career in investment management, wealth planning, Risk Manager, Financial Analysis etc then a course investment banking and financial research will not only increase your employment prospects by making you technically sound but will also provide a base for CFA course.

How investment banking courses give you an edge over others

Finance is the life force of business. Without capital, one cannot imagine running a business. A layman does not know how to deal with a market or take the major financial decisions of a company. One cannot take a financial position without any formal education in banking. One needs to undergo training to work efficiently in the world of finance and banking. To get a job in a bank, you need to fulfil certain qualifications. Investment banking represents one of the most challenging career choices in the current marketplace. The level of remuneration is typically very high, but the expectations of banks with regards to their employees are equally high. In short, only exceptional candidates are considered for any given post.

Investment banking courses make you an ideal candidate for a job, here’s how-

1.       Business schools have for long been the training grounds and feeders of talent for global investment banks and regional firms. Despite the setback that the industry suffered during the financial downturn, investment banking remains highly attractive to MBA students. The combination of rigorous financial training, an extremely demanding work environment and early exposure to CEOs and CFOs at client firms provides an irresistible combination of experiences and skill building that can fast-track one's post-MBA career.

2.       The reason why investment banking is considered to be such a prestigious career choice is because investment banks play a critical role in the business world, facilitating important acquisitions and transactions in the marketplace. Investment banking courses teach students to conduct capital market transactions, carry out mergers and acquisitions and perform other corporate financial services. A career in investment banking is highly competitive and the industry of investment banking is involved in conducting a broad range of financial services.

3.        There are some qualities that a business expert needs to have. He must have the ability to work under tight deadlines and produce work of high quality in a pressurised environment. He also needs to showcase good leadership qualities in extra-curricular activities and promote harmony among the different departments of a company. Formal business analysis training helps students to develop all these qualities.

4.       Investment banking companies usually assist their customers to access resources through equity, debt and other sort of investment products. Investment banking courses train students to deal with clients. They are taught how to answer the customer’s questions and clear his doubts. Investment banking isn't one specific service or function. It is an umbrella term for a range of activities including underwriting, selling and trading securities, providing financial advisory services and managing assets.

Investment banks offer their services to companies, governments, non-profit institutions, and individuals. When you undergo business analysis training, it is vital to finish the class, module, or book that you have chosen, to abide by the instructions cautiously and complete exercises precisely as specified by the training materials or the instructor. Many people leave the training mid-way because they cannot live up to its demanding nature.

All you need to know about financial analyst course

Depending on the nature of the organization and project, a business specialist’s duties can vary greatly. However, there are some activities that a business expert does for every project. These include investigating goals and issues, analyzing information, communicating with many people, documenting findings and evaluating solutions. For a given project, a specialist defines and oversees a series of carefully structured tasks which aim achieving the general goals of analysis, synthesis, planning, and evaluation. Business specialists are responsible for identifying change needs, assessing the impact of the change, capturing and documenting requirements and ensuring that those requirements are delivered whilst supporting the business.

Once the goal of the analysis is determined, a methodology is selected and data is acquired to support the analysis.  Data acquisition often involves extraction, cleansing, and integration of data into a single repository such as a data warehouse or data mart.  The analysis is typically performed against a smaller sample set of data.  Business analysis training guides you to use tools ranging from spreadsheets with statistical functions to complex data mining and predictive modeling applications.  As patterns and relationships in the data are uncovered, new questions are asked and the analytic process repeats itself until the business goal is met.

An important characteristic of a good business specialist is his ability to communicate with different people. Communication does not necessary mean expressing his ideas but also means listening to verbal and non-verbal messages, establishing open dialogue, confirming that he has understood the details, and communicating his ideas. A business analyst is also an objective listener. He needs to determine the requirements of the management by speaking to the shareholders. A financial analyst course teaches you to do efficient documentation. This is a very important aspect of a business analyst’s work profile. This includes framing documents in text or visual form including charts, graphs, illustrations, etc.

Centralizing services to make tasks and the working environment more efficient is an important characteristic of an effective business expert. He has to get rid of any duplication processes that may be occurring between departments. Business analysis training helps you to perform all these functions effectively. As a commerce expert, you have to develop relationships with necessary external sources to acquire services for the completion of projects.

A very important characteristic of a business expert is his ability to solve different business related problems. He must spend time identifying options for solving specific problems. It is his duty to choose the best option for solving a particular problem. The chosen solution is then evaluated to ensure that it continues to meet the business needs. A financial analyst course trains you to choose the best implementation process to improve your business’ position in the market. When you work for a business enterprise, there are many departments within the entity. An effective business expert seeks to promote harmony between these departments. He has to be a good negotiator and solve problems of different departments without being partial.

The skills required to be a good business analytic

Meaning of Business analysis –

Business analysis is to enable a change in an organizational context by defining the needs and providing the appropriate solutions or applications to the stakeholders. It is a disciplined approach for initiating and managing changes in the organization be it profit-based businesses, government or non-profit businesses. It is used to identify and articulate the need for change in the corporations and to successfully bring them into existence. Business analysis training provides an individual with the necessary skill set and knowledge to define the solutions that will maximize the value of output delivered by an organization.

It is one of the most resilient and in demand skill compared to any other skills in the business management system. This skill is technologically independent and you sure don’t need to rely on advanced gadgets. It offers better risk management and future planning to the organizations as well. It is functional in nature which means that whatever you learn today, it is going to help you throughout your life, unlike technology that keeps changing in every few months. As the nature of business analysis is more corporate, the pay and perks are always higher providing better job security. Also, the path of the growth is quick as the job is Managerial.

What is the role of a business analyst?

The key responsibility of an analyst includes discovering the underlying need of the business, its goals and missions, in order to be addressed and to get access to the information related to the projects and its requirements through the conversations with the stakeholders. A business analyst organizes, specifies and models the requirements to ensure that they are complete and apparent. They are supposed to document all these informatics in a portable format so as to share them easily with the stakeholders. Next is to validate and verify all the data. They need to make sure that the information is approved by all the stakeholders and meets all essential quality standards as well.

At times, they may also have to take control of some senior responsibilities like planning the business activities or managing the requirements. The definition of this profile allows for multiple different approaches for this role such as bringing professionals who work on projects primarily focused on integrating multiple software systems, building new ones or modifying the existing software or migrating from one system to another. You can pick any attribute of a project, be it organization or stakeholder group, often the analyst’s role is shaped around multiple attributes altogether.

This position is not at all monotonous in nature as it the job keeps on varying in tasks, duties and responsibilities and there is always something different to do depending on the company one is associated with. The job profile of a business analyst is best suited for people who want to acquire and utilize a wide range of skills that could be analytical in nature or even comprehensive and who want to contribute closely in the profit-making of the organization.