Best Time to Leave Big 4 Audit?
I'm currently starting a role in Big 4 Audit in Europe (EU). However, my true goals lie in finance (IB, PE mostly.), and I was wondering what the best time to exit this role would be.
At the moment, my plan is to stay for 1 year, and apply to top Msc Finance programs in the UK/US during that time, which I would start after about 1 year in B4 Audit. I don't want to get pigeonholed in audit/accounting but I wanted to check what others on this forum would think about this plan?
I also want to complete an MBA somewhere down the line, which is part of why I have this plan. I've heard audit is not as valuable MBA experience as the finance roles I previously mentioned. But I guess another plan could be to stick it out in audit for 3-4 years, then do an MBA directly.
Any thoughts?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, the timing of your exit from Big 4 Audit depends on your long-term goals and the path you want to take. Here are some key insights:
1-Year Plan for MSc Finance:
3-4 Years in Audit for MBA:
Sweet Spot for Exit:
Avoiding Pigeonholing:
CPA vs. CFA:
Recommendation: - If your primary goal is to break into finance quickly, the 1-year MSc Finance plan is a strong choice, provided you can secure admission to a top program and effectively market your audit experience. - If you’re open to a longer timeline, consider staying 2-3 years, gaining senior-level experience, and then transitioning directly to finance roles or pursuing an MBA.
Ultimately, the best path depends on your risk tolerance, financial situation, and how quickly you want to make the switch.
Sources: Exiting Big Four (Audit) after 5 years and entering FP&A - Ask me anything, Exiting Big Four (Audit) after 5 years and entering FP&A - Ask me anything, Big 4 Audit or Mid-Tier M&A Advisory to Break Into Finance, Accounting vs Finance: Part 1 – Career Paths, Q&A: Big 4 Audit -> TAS -> Private Credit
My first advice, and I mean this kindly, is to think about what you want to do. S&T, IB, and ER are about as different to each other as Audit is - your goals scream of "money and prestige" at least without any explanation.
If your goals are IB / PE / ER (areas where I have more knowledge), then complete the certification program and become qualified - it provides a pathway (admittedly not guaranteed by any means) to more MM IB and PE (and ER). Leaving after one year is as good as not having done it at all for recruitment purposes into those fields, and completing an MSc is a far from sure way into those industries.
If you decide you want to go into AM or HF or S&T I know a lot less to be honest, these are really quite different.
I am mainly targeting IB/PE frankly, probably shouldn't have added the rest. I am considering staying long enough to complete the certifications but I'm hearing conflicting information on how strong of a pathway that is compared to a target MSc program like LBS/LSE/etc. And as I said I also have some MBA considerations to think about and consider as well. But I also understand what you're saying about it being as if I hadn't done it at all for recruitment purposes by leaving after just a year.
Do you ACA, move to TS/M&A (internally or externally) then lateral to IB. Do financial modelling courses alongside your ACA to set you up
Do you think my MSc Finance plan is a bad idea?
Moving to B4 FDD/Valuations/M&A and completing ACA is the most tried and true path. Also doesn't make sense to me to do a MSc and MBA.
I myself moved from Audit to FDD, to boutique IB, and now getting BB / EB looks within my sector at senior analyst/Assoc level. If I had to do it again my advice would be to try and move as soon as possible (I did 3 years in Audit which was probably too long, but sometimes the market can make it difficult to switch)
If you strike out you can do a top MBA and hopefully still have 1-2 years pre MBA experience in a TAS team which will help with your story and recruiting
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