How can I make this transition happen ASAP?

Hey gang, I’m looking for a bit of advice and I was hoping some of you might be willing to help me with my current predicament. I’ve included a bit of background which I hope doesn’t sound too much like a brag sheet (not that a brag sheet in my profession is one I’m particularly proud of at this stage).
Long story short, I work in audit and I’m bored out of my mind. I went to a target school and have been working in Big 4 audit in SF for around a year now, and I can’t stop kicking myself over the mistake I made. I’m not being challenged and I feel like I’m not doing anything worthwhile, despite the workload and extracurriculars I engage in at the firm.
I’m looking to keep building my knowledge of finance and the markets and I don't care what the hours look like if that's something I can achieve. Based on what my friends in the industry are telling me and what I've read, this is the way to do it. I knocked out the CPA exam the first six months I started working, despite it being the midst of busy season; I’ve now set my sights on the CFA level 1.
My friends that are currently analysts have been helping as much as they can, helping me get my resume in working order and providing me study materials so when they see opportunities pop up (which they say is fairly frequently) I’ll be ready.
Aside from studying the materials I’ve been given and continuing to be in touch with them while reaching out to warm connections, is there anything else I can be doing to get this transition to happen before my fate as an accountant is solidified forever?
A major fear I have now is that I’ve missed the window for the current hiring season, or that most banks’ attention is currently focused on OCR and not pulling in talent from elsewhere. Is this legitimate?
Any perspective you all can provide is greatly appreciated, feel free to take the skeptic’s approach as well and send some hard-hitting questions my way.