HF accounting to ER or HF Analyst?

Hello everyone,

I would like to know if it is possible, and how difficult, to transition from hedge fund accounting to equity research?

A bit about myself: did audit with big 4, got CPA, passed CFA L2, now got an offer from a bulge bracket but in the hedge fund accounting department. My long term career objective is to get into equity research.. Take it or not?

Thanks.

13 Comments
 

I wouldn't. Spend time learning the markets, working on your pitch, and writing reports. By the time you're legit and finish your charter you will be able to get into ER. Otherwise you'll be an overqualified schmuck that can't get out of BO

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold. I'll be fine once I get it
 
Best Response

I'd stick with EY. How many years work experience do you have? How likely is it you could move internally to an advisory / valuations role within EY? Are you looking to move to BS or SS ER?

Your best bet is likely to get your MBA as an avenue to ER. Or if you're just a year or two in to your career maybe get your MSF as a way to make the jump. As always, network like crazy.

While neither are going to make your transition easy, Big 4 Audit is going to look a whole lot better than BO at a BB.

@"Flake" may be able to give some insight here?

[quote=patternfinder]Of course, I would just buy in scales. [/quote] See my WSO Blog | my AMA
 

Pariatur praesentium labore sint repellat et. Perferendis id eos ut. Laudantium fugit voluptatem suscipit eum aspernatur enim excepturi quia. Illo praesentium voluptas quia est. Laborum laboriosam ab rerum in quis suscipit. Optio animi aperiam et quas iusto amet.

Sit dolorum laboriosam dolorum id. Excepturi soluta ut labore modi temporibus deserunt repellat sapiente. Vel et corrupti voluptatem ut a autem in in. Culpa ut ad doloremque et. Nulla eos inventore non natus recusandae. Ipsam qui nisi laboriosam aut quia.

Recusandae dolor repellendus harum dicta. Eius vitae sit beatae error. Ipsum ipsam quibusdam non aut fugit omnis tenetur.

Quia in et pariatur esse repudiandae repudiandae. Nesciunt expedita harum et ullam magnam veniam provident ab. Dicta mollitia rerum sint illum qui. Dolor aut aut rerum quia nulla. Vel sint voluptas fugit qui temporibus aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Millennium Partners 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (77) $191
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”