Career Pathways In The Polish Financial Market

Are You thinking about working in finance? Look no further! In this guide, we'll walk you through the diverse opportunities that the Polish financial market has to offer, ranging from the more relaxed roles to those that demand high intensity and commitment.

Introduction - Polish Financial Market at a glance

June 4th 1989, Communism falls in Poland and capitalism starts with companies operating in the field of Finance and Investments, such as: Enterprise Investors, Innova Capital, Avallon MBO and more entering the newly set up finance market. This growing interest from major financial institutions signals a promising trend: Poland is becoming a key player in the global financial landscape, driven by a highly skilled workforce based in a highly resourceful, dynamic market environment.

But how can we assess our preference for a specific career path? How can we utilize our strengths in a specific fields? What skills and trades are of the utmost use for employer’s and which are the most demanded on the market? What are the paths and which of them are deemed considerable?

In this article we will assist you with answering those and many other questions. Do you want to get more insights on the current standing of the Financial Market in Poland? Link up with our members and ask them at sknfmc@kozminski.edu.pl

Career Pathways and How to Secure Your Dream Job?

The Polish financial market has a lot to offer, whether you’re into the adrenaline of investment banking, the problem-solving of consulting, or the number-crunching world of mutual funds and private equity. Whatever path you choose, getting your foot in the door usually means a mix of good grades, internships, and making the right connections. In this section, we’ll break down the key sectors in finance and give you some tips on how to land the job that’s right for you.

Brokerage Houses and TFI

Working at a brokerage house (PKO, MBank, XTB, Santander) or TFI in Poland is all about helping clients manage their investments, whether through buying and selling stocks or managing portfolios in mutual funds with use of Equity Investments, Fixed Income, derivatives and more. You’ll be analyzing markets, advising clients (given you have an Investment Advisor’s License!), and keeping an eye on trends that affect their investments. It's fast-paced and analytical, perfect for those who love numbers and strategy.

To get this job You need good analytical skills and understanding of the financial market. Having a Stockbroker license (Makler Papierów Wartościowych) significantly increases your chances to land a first job and Investment Advisor license (Doradca Inwestycyjny) opens the door to more advanced roles within the industry!

• Weekly Workload: 40h up to 50h
• Salary depends on the role and the specific department

Big 4

Strategy, Consulting, Corporate Finance Advisory, Assurance, Tax, Audit, there is one important link between these service lines (departments) – financial skills needed to continue the job. All these departments can provide you with a real insight into what it is like to work in the field of finance. One of the most interesting lines of development for you could be Transaction Advisory, which includes potential experience related to M&A Advisory, Corporate Valuations, Transaction Due Diligence, Real Estate Advisory, Capital and Debt markets Advisory, Strategic Consulting. This includes conducting financial due diligence, valuing businesses, assessing potential risks and negotiating deal terms (If You make it further). You’ll work closely with clients ranging from startups to large corporations, helping them make strategic decisions that can transform their businesses. The work can be intense, with tight deadlines and complex transactions, but it’s also rewarding, offering exposure to high-profile deals and a broad range of industries.

Landing a job in a Big 4 M&A team typically requires a strong academic background, financial knowledge, as well as exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills You should be familiar with all the steps of the M&A process, financial statement analysis, valuation methods and be an expert in Excel and PowerPoint.

• Weekly Workload: 50h/60h up to 80h/90h depending on what projects you are included in (sometimes including weekends).
• Good base salary + bonuses

MBB

Working in an MBB consulting firm in Poland – McKinsey, BCG, or Bain – is an exhilarating and intellectually stimulating experience. As a consultant, you’ll collaborate with top executives and management teams across industries to solve complex business challenges Your tasks could range from restructuring a company’s strategy, optimizing operations or driving digital transformation to conducting market analysis and managing large-scale projects. You’ll be working on multiple projects, often shifting between industries, which keeps the work dynamic and offers continuous learning opportunities.

Landing a job at MBB is highly competitive and requires excellent analytical and communication skills, and a deep understanding of business strategy. Case interview preparation is essential, as the recruitment process heavily focuses on solving real-life business problems in interview scenarios. Be ready for questions like: “How many golf balls will fit in the plane?”

• Weekly Workload: 60h/70h, up to 90h/100h on major projects (including weekends)
• Excellent salary + significant performance bonuses

Private Equity

Working in Private Equity (PE) in Poland is a dynamic and demanding experience. The most important and biggest on the market are Enterprise Investors, Innova Capital, Mid Europa Partners, Abris Capital Partners, Avallon MBO, Spire Capital, Tar Heel Capital and many more. As an Investment Analyst at PE House, you'll work on in-depth financial analysis and helping portfolio companies grow through operational improvements or strategic initiatives. You will also be involved in structuring deals, negotiating terms, and overseeing the management of investments. This role could be extraordinarily career-forwarding and gainful, stemming from exposure to cooperation with diverse number of businesses all across Poland.

In order to get into the industry, it is mandatory to have some prior experience in Consulting, Transaction Advisory, Investment Banking , Company Business Development or other investment related role. Not only will potential candidate benefit from genuine understanding of how business operates and what makes it a great Investment Opportunity, but also from excellent networking skills. Your job will be to enhance building of an Investment Portfolio with great ROIs (i.e. great IRRs or CoC returns).

• Weekly Workload: 50h/60h, usually reaching 90h during active deal periods.
• Potentially a lot of work travel during Investment Entry period
• Very high base salary with substantial performance-based bonuses.

Investment Banking

Working in Investment Banking (IB) in Poland is one of the most fast-paced and high-pressure environments in finance. Key players on the Polish market include BNP Paribas, Santander Investment Banking, Rothschild & Co, Trigon and mBank Investment Banking.

As part of an investment banking team, you’ll be involved in helping companies raise capital, advising on mergers and acquisitions, and conducting complex financial transactions such as initial public offerings (IPOs) and bond issuances. Your role will typically include preparing financial models, pitch decks, conducting valuation analyses, and coordinating with various stakeholders to close deals.

Investment banking requires a deep understanding of financial markets, corporate finance, and valuation techniques. Breaking into this industry usually demands a strong academic record and excellent analytical skills. Like other areas of finance, networking plays a key role in landing a job, along with proficiency in tools like Excel and PowerPoint for financial modeling and presentations.

• Weekly Workload: 60h/80h, with peaks up to 100h during major deals.
• High base salary with significant bonuses tied to deal completion.

Summary

Whether you’re drawn to intense deal-making, consulting with top executives, or shaping investment strategies, Poland’s evolving financial market offers endless opportunities. Now, it's up to you to find the path that excites you the most and go after your dream job!

If You have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments or send us an email at sknfmc@kozminski.edu.pl