Hi all,
Having obtained my CA qualification (Big4 London, Audit) I have now secured a role with M&A advisory (different Big4, London).
End-goal is to move to a Bank (MM is fine) within a year or two (max).
I was wondering whether you have any advice on what I can do to improve my chances to get to IB as I understand that M&A work experience in Big4 is not necessarily as highly regarded compared to M&A in IB (and probs rightly so given difference in hours and comps)My thoughts were to start studying for CFA level 1 or something equivalent but given I have the CA, level 1 CFA adds limited extra knowledge.
Thank you in advance!
As someone working in PE and an ex big 4 ACA, big 4 M&A >> MMIB is totally doable.
The EBs also like big 4 candidates because of the ACA training. Some (Greenhill, roths, EVC) have an annual intake from the big 4 via selected headhunters.
Get your head down, be a good performer, become an expert in modelling (spare time if you have to) and make connections with the top HHs (only if you want the EB move) and you’ll be fine. CFA is a complete waste of time.
Yeah, get good reps and get your staffer to like you so you get on those resume shining deals that were brutal but incredible tails to tell during an interview
Could I ask how you ended up finding the role for your move - was this via the big 4 job boards? Currently exam qualified Big 4 TS looking for an M&A move, ideally to another Big 4.
Thanks.
Applied through the Big4 website.
Had applied to equivalent position in the Big4 I completed my ACA but they took ages to respond so applied to the remaining Big4.
Original Big4 replied to arrange my interview the day I handed in my notice (exactly 2 months from the original application date...)
Out of curiosity what were your average hours during audit and what are they now in M&A? Also what comp are you on currently in m&a big 4 if you don't mind saying (Heard big 4 audit london is 45k post qualifying, was wondering if you got a bump up for switching into big 4 m&a)
Audit hours: During busy season, hours were 60+ per week but most of the people I knew up to the AM level worked c.50.
I was heavily involved with stuff outside the mainstream audit work to try and improve my CV (Process mining, Alteryx, SQL usage to automate/ improve audit procedures) where at least half of my time was going.
M&A hours: Just started so not sure. Doubt they will be much more than 60-70 from what I’ve heard.
Base salary is >55k.
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