Small CPA firm to ER?

Busy season #4 has broken me. I absolutely loathe being an auditor.
I've been a CPA for small local firms in the Boston area for 4 years. Bachelors+Masters in Accounting from a low tier school to save $$$ on classes. No public clients, all clients under $100m. Promoted faster than some of my peers. Expecting promotion to manager in near future.
No clients find any value in the service you are providing. The financials get tossed in the trash after you provide them. The process to get the financials audited and prepared pre-trash tossing is incredibly painful.
I need to get out.
I think I would love a career in Equity Research but I have no idea how I would be able to break into it. Help me.
Don't just say "Networking". Who should I be networking with?
How can I prove I have a basic knowledge required to get my foot in the door? CFA Level 1? FINRA SIE?
If there was one thing you needed to learn before getting into ER, what would it have been?
Don't tell me it's impossible. If I need to completely start over I will. I just need some guidance.

 

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