There are some very exciting fields in finance that give prospective candidates a very rich career. The field of corporate finance and investment banking gives great prospects for every professional and firm associated with it, along with very competitive job roles. In this article, we will try to find out more about the work-life balance, compensation, nature of work, and the other aspects to find out more about corporate finance and investment banking. But first, we will have to define corporate finance and investment banking to learn a little more about them.

What is Corporate Finance?

It is known as the firm's financial structure that deals with the different elements present in the entity. This includes funding resources and management actions. It shows the required steps to grow the value of the firm with the assistance of the right surveys and to assign the various resources of the finances of the firm as required. The main activity is to grow the firm's value to give a greater return to the shareholders. It increases various sectors of the firm. This includes working capital management, capital structure, and capital budgeting. Corporate finance is related to all the financial activities in a firm. Any decision that is taken for investments or for taking in some capital falls within its purview. The main aim of this activity is to take the value of a firm as far as possible by making strategic decisions related to the finances, which might include raising capital by issuing debt or equity instruments, finding out avenues for investments of the profits, or the proper allocation of resources. It is also required to be understood that the activity is much wider in scope. Investment banking can be considered one of the sub-areas under the umbrella of corporate finance.

What is Investment Banking?

This is a different division of banking. It gives services to firms and individuals to raise funds using securities. The bankers assist the securities issuers in going public. They also act as mediators between the public and the firms that issue their securities to the public. This branch shows how to raise funds from the firms that issue securities by individuals and other entities around the globe. The activity deals with many sectors involving underwriting securities and acts as a mediator. There are some notable investment banking sectors that are known all over the world. These include Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase. Investment banking is concerned with all the big financing activities that go on in a firm. This includes issuing securities, purchasing other firms, and other similar functions targeted at acquiring capital for a firm. The firms that are large in size usually get investment bankers to help with these big activities of fundraising.

This is because it needs expert knowledge and a specialized approach that can only be done by properly educated and trained professionals. The activity is a sub-domain of corporate finance. But investment banking is a separate field in its own right. The professionals who take part in this activity remain in high demand and are well respected for their expertise.

Similar Features of Corporate Financing and Investment Banking

Both of these activities play a very major role in the development and growth of any firm. There are some basic similarities between corporate financing and investment banking. Both activities play a key role in giving financial resources to established and new firms. Both corporate financing and investment banking processes often give a lot of capital to firms. These come with their own expectations on return on investment or terms of repayment. Finally, both of these activities employ professionals that are highly educated and proficient. These professionals have a higher-level education that pertains to this field.

Some Differences Between Corporate Financing And Investment Banking

There are some major differences when it comes to corporate financing and investment banking. Investment banking is seen to be a subset or a sub-area of corporate financing. But the kind of work that is done in either of the fields can differ widely. Corporate financing mainly focuses on assisting firms to increase their worth through getting more capital for their consolidation and expansion. But investment banking focuses on narrow requirements of investments. The investment banking industry relies a lot on highly trained, educated, and skilled professionals and is seen as more competitive. Investment banking and corporate finance professionals are responsible for preparing certain documents. In corporate financing, the professionals prepare financial reports for a firm. This includes balance sheets. In investment banking, the professional creates documents such as memorandums or pitch books.

There is a difference in purpose between both these fields. Corporate financing assists the firms in managing their assets and getting funding for business projects, expansions, and various other needs. But investment banking assists firms in getting capital through acquisitions, mergers, or securities. There are a lot of roles in the field of corporate financing. But there are very few roles when it comes to investment banking. Investment banking is seen as a specific niche. So, employers usually need professionals with some training, education, and skills. This makes the investment banking industry one of the most competitive niche industries in the wide world of finance. According to a statistic by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in corporate financing may see a good growth of nearly five percent in the next decade. The number of positions available for investment banking remains constant from one year to the next. It is a percentage point below the growth of corporate financing. This is because there is great competition that exists within the industry.

Many positions need a bachelor's degree and a few years of experience. But the careers in investment banking need more education and training. The positions are open only for a few chosen professionals each year.

Benefits of a Career in Corporate Finance and Investment Banking

There are huge benefits to having a career in corporate finance and investment banking. The average salary for a lot of positions in corporate finance shows that most of the job openings in this industry remain within the higher-earning bracket. There are a lot of growth prospects, and the perks are also very good. There are a lot of career roles that are present that are much more than investment banking. This makes it quite easy for the professionals to get a role that suits their capabilities and skill sets. There are a lot more openings that are present in this field than in investment banking. It is a very competitive industry. But it is not as difficult to get a job in this field as in investment banking. The work hours that are present here are not among the top ones. But it still remains better than what can be found in investment banking. The work hours are not bad when seen in the light of other careers in finance. But it can depend a lot on the work pressure and the exact nature of the role.

The major benefit of having a career in the field of investment banking is that it is seen as the top choice in the field of finance. One of the main reasons is that it is one of the jobs with the best compensation. This brings with it a great deal of recognition in the industry. The advantages present at the entry level are among the best in the entire financial industry. Any entry-level investment banker that is working with a big firm can get a lot more than more experienced professionals in the other areas of finance. The overall learning curve is high for analysts that enter the field. The work environment is quite intensive, and the professionals get to interact with some of the top minds present in the industry. After working for only a few years in the field, they can get the positions of Managing Director, Director, or Vice President. The initial period of the first couple of years can help them to get a good foundation in this role and could set them up for a long period. The overall job role is good for those people who desire to outperform their competition and have a good combination of handling great work pressure, advanced finance information, and great negotiation capabilities.

Work-Life Balance in Corporate Finance and Investment Banking

The usual jobs in finance look like better choices when it comes to working hours. The investment banking field has a poor track record for its work hours. There is not a lot of time that is left for relaxation. It is one of the most competitive jobs in the entire industry. So, one would not be amiss to think that the professionals in this field would get a better balance in their work and private life. But that is not the case. The work hours are also not that great when it comes to corporate finance. But the professionals involved in it typically have enough energy and time to have personal time. But the roles in corporate finance differ a lot when it comes to terms of responsibilities. This can also increase the usual work hours. But on average, they have a more balanced existence professionally. Investment banking is a great choice for those people who love to be workaholics.

Conclusion

There are a lot of ways in which one can finance a business. There are a lot of methods that firms select to get the right investors for their organization. Finding out which kind of financing is right can help the firm to manage or grow itself. Corporate financing and investment banking are some of the methods of financing a firm that is utilized for various processes. In this article, we have tried to tell you what corporate financing and investment banking are and their function. We have also told you about their differences and similarities and given detailed data regarding the professional roles in the fields. When selecting a career in either of these fields, the person should determine if they have the right skill sets and if they enjoy the work role. This holds true for both professional careers also.