Conflicting Information

I've been reading over this forum, including the suggested threads in the FAQs section. I've seen a lot of conflicting information regarding the role performed by and paths to becoming an equity researcher, and I was hoping I could get some of that clarified.

First, how much sales ability is actually needed on the sell side? Some posts in the recommended threads described the work as very research based while others did all of the client-facing work, and other posts said a decent level of sales skill was necessary. This is a particularly big deal for me, so if you could please be specific, it'd be helpful.

Also, how wide is the gap in compensation between a BB and MM firm? My understanding is that the "prestige" and consequently exit opps from sell side research depend more on the analyst you work under than the firm, but compensation is still dependent on the size.

Finally, I'd like some input regarding the way into ER. The obvious one that everyone can agree on is I-banking, but as a 3.5 non-target with cripplingly bad networking skills, I don't see that as very viable for me. One post that caused some controversy in a recommended thread said that Big 4 audit was a reasonable path to ER, and that's something I could certainly see myself doing. Also, is entering ER out of b-school common, and if so at what level?

To put this all into context, I'm starting my senior year at a non-target, Accounting/Finance major, 3.5 GPA. The CFA exam is something I consider very likely in my future, as is either a MSF or MAcc depending on where I decide to start my career in order to offset my GPA and non-target status. Thanks for any info you can provide.