Just recvd a email for case study invitation… I’m working in a commercial bank and wanted to change to investment related field. Who could help to tell me the difference of Associate and Analyst working in investment firm? And if providing financial advisory to other companies, what cases study would they have to do? Like McK’s case study but more focus on financial position? thanks a lot for your input~~
Analysts analyze. Associates ask analysts how much cream and sugar they need
LOL (in several ways).
They ASSOCIATE.
They have good PEOPLE SKILLS!
Worst question ever.
In research, associates are the lowest people in an analysis role. They basically do legwork for analysts - proofreading, finding documents, checking numbers, etc. In roles other than research (like sales, for instance), analysts are the lowest people and associates are one step higher than that.
i hear they gather information, write up drafts, make beautiful charts…
Investment bank associates are just one notch above analysts. They supervise/coordinate analysts, but do pretty much the same stuff (putting together pitchbooks, valuation models etc.) as analysts do.
FrankArabia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > i hear they gather information, write up drafts, > make beautiful charts… my title was associate when i was doing this. my title is not associate and i am still doing this.
They create a competitive advantage by continuously focusing on value-oriented strategies and ensuring a correct execution using state-of-the-art standards. Meaning: make sure to bring a napkin with that coffee.
Inner Evil Voice Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > They create a competitive advantage by > continuously focusing on value-oriented strategies > and ensuring a correct execution using > state-of-the-art standards. > > > > > > > > Meaning: make sure to bring a napkin with that > coffee. all the engineers and it people are getting their cfas to do this
I like ohai’s answer better than the one the poster before him provided. We have a good group here, let’s help each other out.
em… Thanks for all your posts 
I am familiar with commercial banks but a rookie at investment firms. I guess the position is exactly like the 2nd situation ohai described. So the associate is what the big names usually hire directly from top schools…
we receive some very beautiful presentations from the ibankers. unfortunately, the analysis is usually useless. the only thing that is usually useful are the actual information in terms of market share and historical rates. the forecasts and thoughts are bias and blatantly so.
FrankArabia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > we receive some very beautiful presentations from > the ibankers. > > unfortunately, the analysis is usually useless. > the only thing that is usually useful are the > actual information in terms of market share and > historical rates. the forecasts and thoughts are > bias and blatantly so. true. all the numbers are grabbed from the air.
They disassociate themselves with analysts.