Big Four audit to institutional investor analyst (London)

I haven't found much info on what life is like working as an analyst at an institutional investor (not hedge funds or private equity, read plenty of that, I'm thinking more like pension/insurance company, debt fund or mutual fund) and how to get into that so perhaps someone can shed some light on it or point me in the direction of some useful article.

My situation is this:
Currently working as an auditor at one of the Big Four in London, working on my ACA (chartered accountancy for those not familiar with the UK) qualification as well. I also have about 1.5 years of pre audit work experience as a financial analyst (including plenty of modelling work) at an energy firm. After I qualify there are a few options that I've been considering and one of them (leaving the other ones aside for the minute) is working as a financial analyst at an institutional investor.

So can anyone tell me (specifically London for now):
- What are the chances of me making the transition I describe/what are companies like these looking for in an analyst?
- What is the pay like? Bonus vs basic?
- Are the hours as crazy as IB?

Thanks

2 Comments
 

Et veniam et suscipit voluptatem harum. Voluptas totam minima itaque eveniet corrupti. Sequi et quis impedit quo provident.

Quaerat eos corporis et a. Aliquid ducimus est necessitatibus quae. Quia alias eos accusantium qui rerum sed. Magnam et vero vitae.

Unde quae aspernatur itaque est. Cupiditate velit soluta consequatur odit vel magni dolores. Et labore placeat omnis omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”