Moving from Accounting to Investment Banking
Hi everyone,
I am currently working as a trainee accountant in London at a mid-tier firm, have a high 2.1 degree (non-financial) from a top 40 UK university (not a Red Brick) and less than 300 UCAS points. As you can see, my academic results are nothing special.
However, I am very much interested, once qualified (ACA), in working for an investment bank (front office role) with the end goal of working for a hedge fund. I am currently on track to pass all of my ACA exams first time, and am considering taking the CFA level 1 once I am qualified too, as well as currently educating myself in the world of investing etc. in my spare time.
Essentially I would just like to know if this is at all a possibility? I know that I am far from an ideal candidate, but will being ACA qualified plus passing CFA level 1 and investing knowledge be enough to get my foot in the door? If not, is there anything else I could do to improve my prospects?
Just interested to know what people think. Many thanks in advance.
Did you join during undergrad or out of high school? Also, how rewarding has your experience been, and would you recommend joining as a trainee at a Big 4 in tax/private clients?
I joined a few months after I graduated on a graduate trainee scheme. To be honest I don't find accounting that enjoyable, which is why I'd like to move to something I'm more interested in after I qualify. If you're looking at accountancy though I would definitely try to get into the Big 4. You'll deal with much much larger clients than at a mid-tier, plus having gained qualification there you'll become a very attractive candidate to employ!
Obviously nothing is impossible and Big 4 audit to IBD is doable but the combination of mid-tier accountancy firm, low tier uni and low A Level grades means it would be a real uphill slog. Maybe you could try lateral to a Big 4 audit function, then move to their corporate finance arm, then go from there? Alternatively once you qualify you might be able to move to a very small lower-lower-mid market M&A shop?
Thanks for your response. I was thinking about trying to get into one of the Big 4...do you know if they only accept those who are qualified/part-qualified, or can someone currently training but not yet part-qualified apply? Maybe that would be the best way to go just to get a big name on my CV.
I summered at a MM IB in London which hires a lot of recently qualified ACAs for their Associate roles. All were in Big 4 corporate finance or Transactions services with strong education profiles. It'll definitely be an up hill battle for you. I'd say your best bet is to qualify, lateral to a Big 4 firm after qualifying, and then try to ultimately end up in one of their CF / TS groups.
I am a summer associate at BB in New York after 4 years in one of the Big 4s - happy to answer questions if you have any!
Is a move from Accounting to Finance possible? Advice needed! (Originally Posted: 11/30/2016)
Moving from Accounting (auditing-2 yr public,1 yr internal) to either PE/IB. Looking for any advice!
I'm in the process of completing the CPA exams, which I plan on obtaining before making a move. I have a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting from top schools. Completed 2 years at Big 4 Accounting firm (external audit) and have been working for the past year in Internal Audit at a financial services company. Is a successful transition to PE/IB possible and do you have any advice/recommendations for doing so? THANK YOU!
Anything is possible. Networking is the best first step. Do you have any alumni connections?
School Leaver Tax accountant to Investment Banking? (Originally Posted: 11/20/2017)
Hi Everyone,
I’m currently working at EY in the Corporate Tax sub-service line and have been here for 3 months. I’m enjoying it but my ultimate goal is to work in the IBD at a BB.
A bit of back story on me, I attended King’s College London studying Computer Science but had to leave during my first year due to my father getting sick, where I then needed to take over the family business for two years. He’s better now and I applied to the EY School Leaver Programme and got in which I’m very grateful for. I applied to go back to university at the same time but chose this route because I’m now married and need to earn an income as well as feeling “behind” and the Big 4 is a great place for a career start so I jumped at the opportunity.
My plan to get into a front office IBD role is to complete my ACA chartered accountancy at EY, however after my first year in Tax ask to be transferred to the corporate finance department as I understand Tax has no real relevance in IB.
I think the transfer is feasible because I’ve made good contacts in my short time, and I’d get a gleaming recommendation from senior managers and the Tax partner who I work with as I go above and beyond to get work done in advance of deadlines and cultivate relationships.
Then after my ACA is complete and I have two years experience in CF with financial modelling etc, apply to a front office BB IBD role.
I think my experience and ACA (hopefully) should give me some merit points, however the lack of a degree will hold me back.
How feasible do you think it would be to get a role at an investment bank without the degree but with the knowledge, a great recommendation, communication and peoples skills and an ACA (not too relevant but they know that I understand some finance at least)?
And also do you think M&A would be the best role to apply for in my situation or something else?
Thank you very much for reading and for your advice!
Hi Bigtimefinance100, hope I can help. Do any of these links cover what you're looking for:
More suggestions...
I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.
Accounting degree into Investment Banking (Originally Posted: 08/05/2016)
Hello, I'm currently attending at a public university known(at least from what I've heard so far) for it's accounting undergrad degree(majoring accounting). But while studying here, I gained much interest in IB/BB and would like a job there then the Big 4 firms. I would say I'm safe enough to land in the Big 4 accounting firms and thinking about getting a CPA. But, some people told me to get into a target grad B-school instead and then get in to IB as an associate. Now I'm kind of all confused what the best option would be :/
So my main question is... 1. Does an Accounting degree successfully place a job in IB/BB? 2. What is the most general way for people to join the BB starting as an accountant(audit) in the Big 4? - If I get into lets say... HBS, Wharon, Booth for example, after working for 3 years in the Big 4. Would that help getting into BB? 3. I've been trying to cold contact people in the BB but it's a tough job indeed. Any tips for networking would be great!
P.S. It would be nice to have someone I could personally contact and ask more personal questions to :D
PM zidane
bump
Accountant Looking To Move Into Investment Banking - Advice Needed (Originally Posted: 02/02/2014)
Hi I was hoping some forum users could give me some advice on my situation as I cannot find adequate info online re this.
I am an ACA Chartered Accountant, the British equivalent of a CPA. I qualified with a medium size accountancy practice within 3 years after college, preparing accounts, consolidated accounts and conducting audits, often leading audit teams and discussing with directors firsthand (all small/medium sized companies). I have excellent financial and accounting knowledge, (including knowledge of taxation) and am now looking to move into Investment Banking at the age of 25. The ACA was quite rigorous (some say better than an MBA in the UK), and given me good grounding in finance and accounting. I was wondering how succesful my applications would be to large investment banks. Have any of you had success via a similar route, or do you know of anybody who has had such success.
I have basically decided I do not want to be a partner at an accountancy firm, and now want to go for "the big time" as an investment banker. I feel as an ACA I could work just as hard as in IB, with only a fraction of the remuneration, and many barriers to partnership no matter how good I am, so it is a no brainer for me. The reason I did not apply direct out of college is that I was unsure of my career route and felt training as an ACA was an excellent grounding whatever I planned to do in the future in finance. Now that I am better informed via firsthand experience I want to go into IB.
I believe I could give an excellent interview, and could fend off almost all questions thrown at me re accountancy, valuation, economics, modelling, financial ratios etc. I feel I could definitely be an excellent investment banker. Do you think I am likely to even get an interview? Would there be certain areas I would be more successful applying for within IB's? Do IB's recruit accountants often? Have any of you been involved in recruitment firsthand?
Thanks in advance, advice appreciated. Please be honest, even if you think this is an endeavour unlikely to succeed.
Cheers
I am actually in the same boat, and looking at middle market banks. I do not have the ACA but the CPA and am currently in an accounting advisory role with the Big 4.
I am currently at an MM, and before joining here I spent a year at a big 4 firm taking the first 8 of the ACA exams whilst realising it wasn't at all what I wanted to achieve.
I ended up going back to the education route, attending a target school and getting in that way, but this probably isn't an option for you at this stage?
What you do have in your favour is that the ACA is a good qualification and it does give you a solid understanding which will help on the technical side of things. I'm guessing you're not in the CF team at your place and that the transition across to that team internally isn't easy?
In London particularly, there are a number of advisory boutiques which 'specialise' in employing former accountants, so my guess would be that you would be best focussing there. Of my colleagues and those I look at in bigger banks, very very few hold the ACA, whereas it seems to be a requirement at the boutiques which favour accountants.
It's not easy and you'll need to network well and also really demonstrate your interests and motivations, but if you find the right firm it should be possible. I would however say that you would be best off not wasting your time in applying to BBs.
Accounting internship internship to FT IB (Originally Posted: 04/09/2016)
First post- so forgive me if I am out of style.
This summer I have an internship with big 4 accounting in NYC, but I really want to switch to IB for full time (ideally in a FIG, but would be stoked for any role).
My background: "public ivy," average gpa (3.3-3.4), non-bsba but heavy quant majors, solid understanding of basic & fig specific valuation/accounting.
Any advice for full-time recruiting? Below are some general questions I have.
When I network in NYC should I try and meet people for coffee? or would this be weird to set up? (First time in NYC)
is it wrong to start networking for FT during the first week of my internship or would this have a negative impact like show a lack of commitment etc?
When I pitch people my story, should I tell them I was unsuccessful in landing a SA gig, but found the best thing I could or should I just reinvent my story all together?
Is trying to network into a BB or premier MM even worth my time?
any advice would be much appreciated
I'm not in a position to offer advice, but I'm in for other's responses.
Is your internship in audit? and if you don't mind, what is the pay? I'll be attending a "public ivy" MAcc program next year, and I'm considering potential busy season internship in NYC but I'm hesitant because of the COL and lower pay in audit. Thanks
Yeah so here is a little information about my internship, and some stuff that i have learned about a career in public accounting since.
My internship is relatively new and for the undergraduate level in a very niche area of Tax. Its kinda odd that I landed it considering that I have only taken one intro to accounting course, but I think they were more concerned with finding kids who where highly motivated and could learn quickly.
In terms of compensation it pays roughly 5k a month and had a decent signing bonus. This is enough for me to get by living in NYC, but my accommodations are meager and still take up close to half of my before tax pay. So I hope to ball on a budget.
From doing some pretty extensive research and talking to numerous individuals in the profession it is clear that you should do a MAC if you definitely want a career in public accounting. People who do a MAC program seem to 99% of the time start out in either assurance or tax and have to stay in that area for 2 to 3 years before switching. So its very rare to start out in TAS or another specialty area.
Interestingly enough, at the time of my offer I was working on a human capital project where I had to perform a DCF of my lifetime career earnings to estimate the return on my educational investment. I found out that the during the first ten years of my career at a big 4 firm in NYC the return on my investment was not that impressive (it was not significantly larger than the average earnings of just a college graduate). However, once one moves into the upper levels management or gets to the partner level the payout drastically increases. Of course, I was assuming that I had a highly successful career as a CPA and I used a lower discount rate.
All that said I think a role in audit or tax will be great training for any career, and salaries could be drastically better if you decide to exit and go into a industry role.
Hope this helps
Litigation & Forensic Accountant to IB (Originally Posted: 01/04/2008)
Hello all:
I'm currently working for a Litigation & Forensic accounting firm; my first job out of college after an undergrad accounting degree. I've worked there for an year but recently I had to move to NY because of my family.
I wanted to switch my career to IB focusing on M&A. The problem that is that I don't have as many contacts in the IB field, I tried checking the alumni from my college but there aren't any. So I'm very limited to getting a job through a connection.
Since mid November I tried using recruiters to help me locate jobs but I haven't had any responses, which leads me to think that I might have to change my resume.
I would like to know what strong points can I put on my resume that would transition over to IB from my current position. My duties at the current job are as follows:
Assisting attorneys & their corporate clients in resolving complex post-acquisition,transactional, valuation & other business disputes which involve:
---Analyzing detailed client & market info to develop damage analysis
---Performing detailed cash flow analysis & financial statement analysis
---Developing financial models, performing economic research & creating presentations & reports
---Research & analysis of business assets, companies & industries.
---Economic loss analysis
All of the modeling is done in Excel & I'm a pro at it. Research is done using a lot of resources. I typically have to read fairness opinions, do our own valuations in a dispute, DCF etc but not all of the time.
Looking at that I would like to know what I can put on my resume as a strong point as to why I would be suitable for an IB position.
Thanks in advance for replying to the post.
and go to b-school
Accounting major breaking into IB? (Originally Posted: 04/22/2013)
What would you guys recommend as the best route.
Little bit more about yourself might help. Do you go to a target? GPA? Have you taken the GMAT?
If not, you will get the usual "Network your ass off and you'll have a chance like everyone else"
A route to consider if you're a junior would be getting an MSF to show your dedicated to finance.
Accounting can be a route to IB. Just 6 months ago; I attended to JP Morgan's networking event. I was talking to one of the department from Custody; this guy was senior head of the department (with massive head). I asked him how did he break into IB, he told me he had an accounting and finance degree and completed his ACCA and got a job at JP Morgan(of course it does not mean having a ACCA degree got him a instantly, it might have taken him a few years to get into JP Morgan). After talking to him he made me think that even with Accounting and Finance there is a possibility to get into IB. However to answer your question, I really do not know if you can get into IB with accounting degree, it all sort of depends, who you are, what degree you got. But I see people with different faculty like Arts and History and English Literature who working in Banking sector. Do not just rely on your degree (there are lot of factors that you need to take into account before even thinking about getting into IB) one of them is which university are you at.
I hope I haven't destoryed your deepest conviction(All the best)
I'm heading into my sophmore year credit wise. I was accepted as a transfer to one ivy, NYU and Binghamton. I'm attending Binghamton. That decision was primarily based on it being the cheapest and having the 2nd ranked undergraduate program in accounting.
I have been seriously considering a Masters in Finance as well as attaining my CPA. I think that would show a range of versatility that is not common. I am not one of these kids posting with the dream of being a MD at GS before i'm 30. I want to make a very healthy living, I want to send my mother and father on all those trips they talk about but have never been able to afford. Investment banking will enable me to do that.
What I hoped to figure out, or at least get an idea of, is the best approach for how to go ahead starting with an undergraduate accounting degree. I appreciate both posts thus far!
Don't waste time on the CPA. Start networking your area today. Look up cold calling techniques on this site. Essentially call and ask to speak to somebody about a summer internship. When they pick up, say "My name is X. I'm studying accounting at Binghamton and wanted to know how I can best position myself for an internship at your firm." Go from there. Get an internship this summer. Join a finance club and begin networking for junior IBD SA positions in the fall. Keep at it and you'll find yourself in IB as long as you keep your grades ~3.7.
I'm already committed to an accounting internship this summer~ I will take your advice and I appreciate it. I will look up cold calling techniques.
Getting into Ibanking - CPA from Santa Barbara (Originally Posted: 04/24/2012)
1st time poster, I'm really enjoying the site as I try to soak in as much info about ibanking as I can. I also enjoy the shit talking, most of it is delightful and entertaining to read.
Background: I'm a CPA from Santa Barbara, Ca and I'll be starting my MBA at Cornell in the fall.
As I prepare for interviews and what is sure to be a grueling recruiting season, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations in terms of books to look into. Some of the ones recommended on this site (the Accidental Investment Banker and the Practictioner's Guide to Investment Banking) I have plans to purchase, any other recommendations that aren't noted on the site would be appreciated.
Should I be concentrating on impressing 2 or 3 BBs plus 2 boutiques or just all of the BBs and all of the major boutiques and hope that something sticks? I think that if I concentrate my energy on researching a few banks and knowing them inside and out that my chances will be better than trying to get all banks to like me.
I guess this post was more about me sharing how excited I was to be joining you guys in the ibanking world! Appreciate any helpful pointers you want to throw my way.
Monkey Business (most related to your situation, so I recommend this for sure) Liar's Poker Investment Banking- Valuations, Leveraged Buyouts and M&A
Accidental investment banker is very good, though Monkey Business may be the best one for you to start with as it's pretty light reading and gives a basic primer of the industry. Accidental investment banker is more in-depth and gives a very good historical perspective of how companies and the industry changed over the years.
Get the rosenbaum and pearl book and read that very thoroughly. I echo the sentiments of others and believe you should read monkey business over accidental investment banker--especially since you will be coming in as an associate.
with regards to your question, you have to cover all your bases and apply/interview at every bank you possibly can. Specializing wont necessarily help you because at the end of the day it's a numbers game, and you will find the BB IB interview process is a lot more random than you may think. it's imperative to cast a wide net and hope for the best. And there's nothing that will stop you from getting extremely prepared for every interview you have, even if you have interviews at 10+ banks. If you do run into the problem of having "too many" interviews to prepare for, you've run into the best possible problem to have.
most of them mentioned above, but check out our Recommended Readings for Investment Banking from our FAQ page: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/faq-recommended-reading-investment-banking
Monkey business - will pick that one up. Casting a wide net, good strategy. I'm sure the process will begin to make more sense as I get deeper into it. Thanks everybody!
This is not an answer to your question, but hopefully you will find it helpful: There are 2 financial markets classes you must take at the Johnson school, even though you are interested in IB - 1) Mark Zurack's Derivative Securities (former GS partner, received nearly $100mm in options the day GS went public), and 2) Richard Marin's "Alpha" series on the hedge fund industry (former CEO of Bear Stearns Asset Management Division). I've met many Johnson school professors as an undergrad, but these guys are unforgettable characters and extremely intelligent.
Also, this may sound strange, but come to the undergrad info sessions and network. I was amazed that I met no MBAs during the info sessions, though I ran into MFEs and other grads. The simple fact at Cornell is that the undergrad info sessions draw more attention from the bulge bracket firms. I always got more contacts from info sessions than the guys I know at the Johnson school, simply because the numbers are greater for the undergrad sessions. Hit up both presentations, and you'll have an impressive network of resources.
Thanks gamma! I'd actually heard something similar from one of the second years at destination Johnson. I have heard that there are many more undergrad Cornell peeps on wall street than Johnson students, so I will definitely not shy away from connecting with the undergrads and going to their info sessions. I'll make sure to check out those courses as well if they aren't already required for ib path (my initial app essays were geared towards hedge funds and how I can use them as a vehicle for change, blah blah, so I'm definitely interested in that but I figured I'd get my feet wet with ib first).
Breaking into IB as an Accounting/MPA Major? (Originally Posted: 03/17/2013)
Hey everyone,
I currently am an Accounting student at McCombs School of Business at Texas in the 5 year Masters of Professional Accounting (MPA) program and interested in breaking into IB. The reason I chose Accounting/MPA over Finance as a major is because I found my accounting classes really interesting and moreover I found myself excelling in those classes at it as well so I decided to stick with it (keep in mind I didn't abandon finance as I am doing additional coursework in it because finance is also an interest).
Since UT ranks really highly in the best Accounting Programs rankings, a lot of people at McCombs say that we have the Big 4 on lock essentially and everyone gets a Big 4 job in the MPA program, but personally I am not looking to enter the BIG 4. I was wondering how does an MPA program student fare in the world of Investment Banking and Finance in general? I heard from some people here as well that banks love to see MPA/Accounting majors work for them, but I can't attest to that of course. Would it be shady/weird since I am not a finance major? Do the banks really love to see MPA majors?
I'd love to hear your guys' feedback/advice
I think if you have a dual finance degree attached to it, you'll be a better candidate then most, however having just accounting may pigeon hole you to accounting
If you want it, go get it. People break in from every background possible.
Forgot to mention unfortunately my school doesn't allow us to double major within it :/
This may interest you:
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-forgotten-ibd-big-4-corporate…
Since the Big 4 recruit so heavily where you're at, this may be another route to consider.
Yes, there are plenty of BBA/MPAs on the street. Go to info sessions next fall and you will realize this. They are at every bank, including the top banks.
Just curious, if you find you accounting classes really interesting (I didn't know there were people like this out there), then why IB and not Big 4?
Can an accounting role at a public firm after my MBA hurt my chances of getting into an Ibank? (Originally Posted: 04/24/2013)
I recently graduated from a pretty decent MBA program but have been quite unlucky in landing a role at an investment bank. I will need to start making my student loan payments soon and so I decided to take an accounting role at a large public firm. Is that going to hurt my chances of breaking into an investment banking or even transaction advisory? I am also studying for my CFA and I felt that the CFA along with my MBA might provide me with some extra leverage to break in. Also, the firm I work in has a pretty solid corporate development group in the same building I work in. Would it be hard for me to make a jump to that department in a few months time? Any opinions? suggestions?
top 15 finance MBA programs
Dude I have heard Big4 accountants make the transition in to IB. I think it will be more difficult from corporate accounting role. Also most of the people who made the jump were pre MBA. People usually have MBA as a back up plan for getting in to IB.
Best advice for you would be to network. I would probably set your sight on boutique banks around the area where you live.
If you want to get in to a corporate development role, you will need to network with people in that group. Turn over in those groups is usually low, also they will favor someone who has more experience in the company. So gets some general FP&A experience first, then move to investors relations FP&A role. The investors relation group has high interaction with the corporate development group. Then from there you should be able to make the transition. In corporate finance I think investor relation and corporate development groups are the most sought out groups. So I don't think it is realistic to think that you will be able to make the jump in couple months, I think it might take you about 1-3 years before you will be able to make the jump.
Good luck bro, let us know how things turn out.
Network is the answer and accountants often jump to IB but usually before MBA. In your case it might be better to try get to the corporate development group, get some experience and then leverage it and break into IB.
Thanks for the replies....the corporate development is located in the same building I will be working in and this company is (one of the largest tech companies in the world), has a very solid corporate development group. Would it be wise to take this job anyway and put my hopes on landing a connection (since I'll be in the same building), and using that connection to get into the corporate development department. And as I mentioned earlier, I will be working on obtaining my CFA while I'm doing all of that.
honestly, same building kind of crap never works out.
ok I admit it is possible but maybe less than 1% people made it. It is usually easier to break in to a different business group from recruiting instead of internal transfer, because at least you can make some really good story and pretend to do more awesome work as an outsider. And if you can network to get internal transfer, you probably can spend half of time/energy on networking now to get the job you want.
You got to pay bills right?, and if this is the only offer you have i think that answers your question.
spend more time networking than studying for cfa if banking is your end goal.
Accounting to IB (Originally Posted: 06/01/2016)
I'm interested in IB, but I feel like accounting might be a better fit for my personality. Has anyone been in a situation where they transitioned from finance to professional services or vice versa?
My suggestion is if your goal is IB than you need to transition ASAP. The longer you linger in accounting the tougher it is to switch out. Do your CFA level 1, don't waste your time on the CPA exams, and make it as clear as you can to recruiters that IB is where you want to work. Your first year in IB is just grunt work anyways so you don't need to worry about "transferable skills" as long as you are proficient with Microsoft Office products.
Thanks, but I meant analysing accounting and finance side by side.
bump
If you are only a freshman you have lots of time to re-position yourself for IB! As for working full time as an accountant while studying part time being looked down upon by IB recruiters, I can't answer that as I am not too sure, why not reach out to someone in industry who might know? But yes the accounting route is generally looked down upon by investment bankers.
Top 4 Accounting to Investment Banking (Originally Posted: 04/17/2007)
How easy is it? Anybody done it?
It's not hard to do if you get a good PE / HF interviewing streak going. It's just hard to do in terms of managing your seniors expectations and attempting not to piss people off in your group.
I know several guys at my office that got top PE offers and were given the option to negotiate an early start. They realized the amount of goodwill it would be destroying and decided against it.
I figure it will be harder to network for interviews and positions from a big four as opposed to being on the street. I assume that you'll have friends in banking though.
I'm interested in this as well.
Accounting for IBD (Originally Posted: 09/02/2010)
It's interview season and like many other seniors, I am also preparing my interview technicals. I am specifically looking for a good ACCOUNTING textbook or other resource that is good for interview prep. I have all the guides from this forum and others, but wanted some material on various accounting transactions.
eg: $10 depreciation and how it affects stuff
Thanks for helping guys! :)
The M&I interview guide does a pretty good job of going over accounting interview questions.
yea I tried the M&I guide but its no textbook, I'm sure some accounting major here knows a good textbook for this kind of stuff.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accounting-Finance-Non-specialists-MyAccounting…
That's what my Uni used and it's really good.
Would accountant job help to land IB offer? (Originally Posted: 11/21/2013)
High school senior right now. Been offered a job at PwC and KPMG right out of high school. I will be an accountant trainee, and study at the university part time. But my main goal is to get a career in investment banking.
Would it help being a trainee for 2 or 4 years, and after that go to business school (Undergraduate) and pursue IB from there?
Or would it help being accountant for 4-6 years, and taking MBA?
Or should I just take undergraduate, ditching the accountant offer?
i dont know how it works in the us but in the uk going from a big 4 to IB is definitely possible even without a masters (if you went to a good university - it doesnt have to be oxbridge). actually i have seen some moves from big 4 to the buyside lately as well. the accounting qualification is highly regarded in the uk and if you can bring industry knowledge and personality to the table then you should be fine.
real life case:
the guy went to a russell group university (so uk top 20 id say) and worked at a big 4 for 5 years. 2 years in audit assurance & advisory and 3 years in corporate finance m&a advisory. he got his aca qualification and made it into a top tmt boutique. he had to start out as an analyst though... note: this guy is a modelling boss and is just as good as (if not better) his peers who came from top BBs. bear in mind that it took him 5 years to get to that level and not 2.
Much more difficult in the U.S. to move from Audit to IB/PE, though it has been done (Big 4 --> MM IB at analyst level). Much more common to see a TAS or Corp Fin --> IB/PE here though. Would imagine those groups would also make you more appealing in other countries, as well.
As mentioned above, it is a very difficult move in the US. Not too knowledgeable about UK. Even the move from Audit->TS can take a few years as Big4 normally want you to do 2-3 years in Audit before moving over to TS.
Know it's possible in Australia. Heard a story about someone who did a co-op at a big 4 (I believe that's what they call it when you work FT and study part-time) who got a bunch of IB interviews. Also know of bankers who started in big 4. That being said, I don't know if it would be any easier. This info is true but a very small sample size, so don't let something like this make up your mind- do more research.
Perferendis numquam alias sed velit quos mollitia. Nostrum veniam perspiciatis sit consequatur velit cum. Voluptatem totam minima quo quia. Et labore ipsum tenetur.
Recusandae aut voluptatum adipisci. Quia sequi ut quo et cupiditate. Consequatur et error quidem hic ipsam repellendus laboriosam ea.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Facere hic inventore odio animi quia quos. Quidem incidunt doloremque qui sint. Optio saepe laboriosam ex eum. Eum vitae ipsam aut. Et eos et eligendi facilis delectus. Voluptatem officiis error illo minus. Nesciunt accusantium nam ad ut ipsa.
Odit quae praesentium officiis totam sunt. A alias non deserunt non.
Minima necessitatibus quae voluptatem sint consequatur. Cupiditate nihil et corporis dolorum adipisci harum. Non magni debitis excepturi quis.
Quia vero veniam est exercitationem soluta voluptas vel. Velit vero quia harum labore autem. Autem nemo debitis dignissimos. Ex tempore iure quisquam sequi voluptas vel atque. Aut accusantium animi sit dolorem voluptas labore dolorem.