Big 4 FDD to Corp Dev - When to leave?
Hi all,
I'm currently a first year associate in FDD at one of the Big 4. I like the work in FDD and the pay/bonuses are relatively decent, but eventually I want to leave to go into corporate development, which is what really interests me in the long run.
I've been getting some looks by some corporates/recruiters looking for corp dev analysts who would be interested in me going through the recruiting process once I hit 1yr in FDD and have my CPA. What I'm wondering is, when is the best time to move over in terms of career/salary advancement? Should I go as soon as I see a good opportunity? At senior? Manager? One thing that concerns me is that if I leave after a year, I might start off at similar pay as I have in FDD, but the pay advancement/bonuses in corporate America will not necessarily keep up, as opposed to making the transition at senior or manager, where I'll be able to negotiate a higher salary.
Any thoughts and experiences from people who made a similar transition are appreciated!!!
If you can handle it, I'd switch to banking ASAP and cut your teeth as an analyst for 2 years then look into CD.
Having a few years of investment banking will open the most opportunities for you (e.g. PE or Corp Dev within more prestigious firms).
I see that you already understand that moving into industry means that your opportunity for advancement shrinks especially when going over at such a junior grade.
If that is what you want to do then stick it out longer in the big 4 to manager / AD level. And spend that time exploring other options.
This is bad advice. Have never heard of an accountant jumping to CD.
Certainly wouldn’t happen at a more senior level like manager (Big 4)
My previous experience was that we wouldn’t even phone screen accountants.
Actually, it's been occurring more frequently now. My buddy was in TAS/FDD and just made the jump to CorpDev, I think it is harder to jump into IB. TAS/FDD professionals are really good at pinpointing EBITDA adjustments when conducting QofEs, this make them very marketable in the diligence stages for CorpDev. I believe the toughest part would be knowing how to build a 3-statement, DCF etc...as they aren't taught in FDD since they only focus on dissecting the IS and BS statements.
When I say CD I mean a F500 company that is stable.
Throw monkey shit for sharing my experience? We don’t interview accountants period. I’ve heard similar from peers in the F500 space.
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