[UK] Will Big 4 Dismissal Affect Audit -> ER Transition Plan?

Hi Everyone,

I'll try to keep this short. I've just been dismissed from a big 4 firm (London) for simultaneously failing 2 exams after 2 years' worth of financial services audit experience. I'm on the verge of moving to another top 10/20 accounting firm in London. My career trajectory has always been to finish off my CA qualification (1 year to go now), do the CFA L1 and then move into equity research at a bank here in London to start my career in "real" finance.

I just wanted to confirm that my transition from the big 4 to a smaller firm for the last year of my training contract wouldn't in any way be an obstacle to this transition. Is it something that I could just explain away in an interview response? I've genuinely been dreaming of the day when I could leave audit and get into equity research and start my 'real' career, and I'm afraid that the knock-on effects of these 2 exams could be greater than I feared. I'm hoping you guys can reassure me that that isn't the case. Thanks in advance.