Hello,
Current Big 4 CPA auditor here trying to make (what feels like) an unprecedented jump to a hedge fund investing role.
What I think I do have going for me is a year of prior investment banking experience (did this prior to going back to school for CPA) as well as an investing internship at a small hedge fund (completed this right before starting at big 4). I have reached out to all main buy-side Head Hunters but have had little traction so far. The next step would be to just network a bunch and cold email investing professionals themselves.
Is this a worthwhile pursuit or do I need to get MBA, go back into IB, etc. for me to have a chance of getting into public equity investing?
Hey chiwawasanchez, the following topics might be helpful:
Hope that helps.
There's always a chance but it's highly unlikely to get into any well known funds unless you're coming from name brand PE/IB/AM/ER. The fact you have some IB experience (hoping it's sell-side M&A work) and interned at a HF in an investing role makes you a bit more attractive than a vanilla CPA auditor. People will ask though, if you were already in IB why would you go back to school to get a CPA and become a B4 auditor? Most would see this as taking a step backward unless you were moving from a small T3 city no-name boutique.
Your best bet is to hone a few solid pitches and use those to try and get your foot in the door at smaller funds. HFs are such a unique beast that really any background is possible if you can show you've got the mind for it and can bring good ideas to the table. Try focusing on sectors you've covered from either your time in IB or your time in auditing.
MBA could be a good idea but I would only recommend it if you can get into a top 10-15 program. I'm personally not a believer in the opportunity cost of an MBA unless it's got a strong brand behind it. The real value comes from the network and recruiting access the school has not the classes, unless you're coming from a non-finance background which you aren't.
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