What kind of finance roles offer better work-life balance without giving up meaningful work?

You're right: investment banking (IB) can be intense with 80+ hour weeks, especially early on. But the good news is there are finance roles that offer more manageable hours without sacrificing impact or interesting work.

Here are some solid options to consider:

1. Corporate Development / Internal M&A

• What it's like: You work on acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic initiatives from the inside. It’s like doing M&A, but for one company.
• Work-life balance: Generally much better than banking. Hours can spike during a live deal, but otherwise it's closer to 45–55 hours/week.
• Why it’s meaningful: You're influencing the company’s future. You often work directly with senior leadership and see your work play out in real business moves.

2. Equity Research (Buy Side or Sell Side)

• What it's like: Analyzing companies, writing reports, and building models to support investment decisions.
• Work-life balance: Depends. Sell side can still be demanding (especially at top banks), but buy side roles—especially at mutual funds or long-only shops—are usually much more reasonable (50 hours or less).
• Why it’s meaningful: Your insights help drive investment decisions. On the buy side, you can actually influence portfolios with billions under management.

3. Investor Relations

• What it's like: Acting as the bridge between a company and the investment community. Lots of communication, earnings prep, and storytelling.
• Work-life balance: Quite good. You’ll be busy during earnings seasons, but otherwise it’s often a 9-to-6 role.
• Why it’s meaningful: You’re shaping how the market sees the company. You also get exposure to senior executives and strategic decisions.

4. Corporate Finance / FP&A

• What it's like: Budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis for internal decision-making.
• Work-life balance: One of the best in finance—typically 40–50 hours.
• Why it’s meaningful: You influence how money is spent, where investments go, and how the company grows. You’re a financial advisor to business leaders.

5. Strategy / Finance Roles at PE-Backed or High-Growth Companies

• What it's like: A hybrid of finance, strategy, and operations.
• Work-life balance: Can vary, but many roles are structured to avoid burnout. Often 50–55 hours max.
• Why it’s meaningful: You're helping to scale a business, and often work directly with founders or C-suite. It’s hands-on and impactful.

A Few Others Worth Mentioning:

• Risk management or treasury at large corporates or banks: important roles, often with good hours.

  Product finance or analytics at fintechs: growing area, good balance, and often cutting-edge work.

Want to stay in finance but avoid banking hours? Here’s the real deal from someone who’s seen both sides:

1. Corporate Development (The Best Alternative to IB)

• Still doing M&A, modeling, and deals—just without the 2am fire drills. Hours are way better (50-60/week).

• Catch? Deal flow depends on your company. Some teams are busy, others coast.

• Who it’s for: Ex-bankers who miss deals but want a life (LIKE ME!)

2. Equity Research (For Market Nerds)

• 60-ish hours during earnings, 50 otherwise. You get paid to deep-dive into companies.

• Downsides: Can feel repetitive, and the industry’s shrinking. Exit to AM if you want more upside.

• Who it’s for: People who love stocks but don’t want hedge fund stress.

3. Investor Relations (Steady & Strategic)

• You’re the bridge between Wall Street and the C-suite. Hours are stable (45-55), pay is decent.

• Less technical, more storytelling—great if you’re good with people.

• Who it’s for: Those who want CFO-track roles without IB grind.

4. FP&A / Corporate Finance (The 9-to-5 Option)

• Budgeting, forecasting, and explaining why numbers suck to management. Hours? Glorious (40-50).

• Boring? Sometimes. But stable, and you actually see how a business runs.

• Who it’s for: People who like finance but value free weekends.

5. Treasury (Underrated & Chill)

• Manage cash flow, debt, and risk. Super stable (40-50 hours), low stress.

• Not as “sexy” as deals, but you learn a ton about how money moves.

• Who it’s for: Those who want finance credibility without the chaos

I was in IB for a bit and made the switch to corporate development. Definitely better hours, usually around 45 to 55 per week, and you're still close to strategic decisions and deals. Investor relations is also solid if you’re okay with less deal work and more communication. Equity research really depends on the team. Some are more relaxed, others feel like banking light.

If balance is a top priority but you still want meaningful work, corporate development or strategic finance in a good company is probably your best bet.