Switching from M&A to Corporate Finance

How possible is it to switch from M&A to Corporate Finance (i.e. FP&A, etc.) without needing to downgrade position?

I will be starting M&A in a Big 4 (PWC/KPMG/D/EY) soon. I am considering making the switch (probably after 2-4 years) due to the following reasons:
1) The deal flow of the M&A market in my location isn't good. Additionally, there aren't many PE/IB/HF/CD jobs around.
2) In contrary, there are plenty of CF jobs around. Also, I'm fine with CF; I don't hate it or anything. Job stability and growth are important to me.
3) I enjoy being in a large institution for social reasons. Lots of the available PE/IB/HF/CD jobs in my country are for small companies.

Being a finance manager/director/CFO in a large corporation over the long term is appealing to me. So my ideal career path would be: M&A > Finance Manager (CF) > Finance Director > CFO

Nevertheless, I still do hope to start off in M&A for the exposure. From the job listings that I see in my country, many of the available Finance Manager/Director positions require prior experience in FP&A, Accounting, etc. Would it thus be possible to jump from M&A to CF roles, since I will not have much exposure to Accounting?

Thank you. I'll appreciate all serious replies.

4 Comments
 

I think that will depend largely on what job function within CF you want to do, the brand of the firm you're working for, and how long you've been working. Your undergraduate education will likely have an impact as well - did you major in acct/finance?

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