Recent restructuring grad studying for ACA and wanting to break into acquisitions

Hi All

I am a recent grad from a semi target uni for Economics (top 6-10 in the UK for Economics) and I have worked in Business Restructuring at a Big 4 for 18 months now where I am due to complete my ACA by summer 2022.

Over the past six months or so I have been figuring out what career I would like to have and decided that Real Estate is what really excites.

I feel like the ACA isn't teaching me much that is relevant and I will have to still wait another 2 years for it be complete, so I am wondering if it is best to try move into RE now.

My long term aim is to end up in Acquistions at a REPE firm.

I have read the 'best places to start in commercial real estate' thread (WSO wont let me post links) but I wasn't sure if that was too US focused and I can't ever seem to find any job postings.

Does anyone in the UK know what the best route would be for me?  I would much rather get out of this graduate scheme and go straight into RE if I will end up closer to a REPE in 2 years time with the RE experience.

I am waiting for the grad schemes to open up for JLL, CBRE, C&W, I know there are Commercial Banks in the UK I could look into for credit roles (I assume this is reviewing loan applications and the financial models and deciding whether to issue the loan) but I'm not sure which to look at / where to find these roles. As I have been working for 18 months would I need to still look at grad roles?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I really want to take my first step into RE.

TIA


 

Your best bet is trying to lateral to M&A at your firm, still doing ACA. The ACA is your ticket in at this point - doubt you’ll be eligible for the internships you’d need to roll into a full time position, and off cycle analyst recruiting is going to be flooded with people who have way more relevant experience than you so the odds of you even getting a first interview and slim to none.

As someone who’s trying to do this, it is not easy.

 

I think I'll find it hard to move over to M&A right now as RX is going to have a big inflow of insolvencies / distressed companies requiring help.  I can't seem to work out if the ACA does actually open doors but I guess my route is Big4 CF once qualified and then a stint in IB if possible.  How are you trying to break in?

 
Most Helpful

The same way I just described to you. I’ve asked enough people to know this is the way to go.

The ACA is an asset. It’s your way to an analyst role, having missed the spring week > internship > return offer path, without having to drop 50k on a Masters degree.

85% likely you’ll need M&A experience though, before you move to IB/RE. Like I said, you’re against people with Masters degree and internships. Lateraling really is your best bet, but a lot of the time, firms discourage laterals to M&A because it’s what everyone wants to do and the department doesn’t want to deal with the politics. I’d wager 20% of your audit intake every year joins in hope that they can lateral to CF at some point.

Network as much as you can with your department as you progress through the ACA. Keep an eye on any opportunities that open up. If you network well, there may be times where you can mention your interest and offer to ‘help out’ - they may take the hint and get you involved. Once you’ve finished your ACA, if you haven’t got a move in place already, you should have your network within the firm strong enough to outright ask “I’m interested in this department, can we have a chat about potential opportunities?”

You’ve got to be in it for the long haul, here. By all means, try and re-recruit for boutique internships etc if that’s the path you really want to try, but it’s a much higher risk strategy.

 

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