gap year to get cpacfa
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Option 2
Option 2. If you're endgame is IB, then being a CPA and CFA L3 candidate will be much more advantageous than an extra year in Big 4 (I am assuming you are going into audit).
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You are not being realistic about any of those exams, and considering your 3.3 G.P.A there is a high probability that you will not pass multiple sections of either the CPA or CFA on the first sitting.
If you are dead set on finance you need to start networking ASAP, and try to transfer into a job which has directly applicable experience to where you want to go(if you can't network into IB itself). Also, this is assuming when you say start at the Big 4, you mean Audit/Tax.
Few things: 1. 3.3 from a semi-target is fine to pass all CPA exams first time. The test really just isn't that hard. study becker and knock them out.
Why are you sitting for your CFA if you are looking to do IBD? Is the end play AM? People can chime in, but I think you would be better off networking and not adding la few extra letters after your name. This board tends to overstate the difficulty of getting into IBD from Big4. I have had several interviews and am waiting to hear back from a few places. Getting interviews is the toughest part--once you have that, you are on level footing with everyone else. Knowing your story and the technicals is all you need at that point. The CFA is not some magic bullet that will get you interviews / offers; in fact, it is hardly relevant to IB. Spend time networking with alums and brushing up on technicals / modeling -- you will be better off.
If you are in audit or tax, CPA is a must. First question people will ask is why you don't have it. My understanding (from friends in the practice) is they have not had the same experience... not to mention it is easier to spin a TAS story than audit.
Don't take a gap year. To me that sounds like you can't hack studying and working. Guess what? You go into IB and you will need to be able to work long hours and produce a high quality product.
My .02. By the way - I am a current CPA with a Big 4 and have gotten several interviews with less than 18 months of experience.
Yeah you guessed it AM is my end game if all goes well...that's my main reason for getting a CPA and CFA. Thats for the advice B-O-T
There is a chance you could get a junior equity analyst spot with 6mos - year at big 4 + the other certs you are going for. I know places like T.rowe have hired people with similar backgrounds. Good luck... just don't underestimate the importance of networking.
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