Industry M&A or Big4
Can you please share your thoughts about the following issue.
I'm currently financial analyst (commercial finance - planning, analysis, reporting, audit) with big multinational player (think Nestle, Kraft, Unilever, etc.). I've been working in the role for 3 years already. I'm also almost done with my accountancy qualification (CIMA which is equal to CPA or ACA or ACCA). I'd like to move into M&A, however (surprise surprise ;-) it's not easy. So I need to figure out alternative way and here are my options for the time being.
Question: Which of these options you'd find better if I'd like to move into IB M&A in 2 years time (into Associate role as at that point I'd have ca. 5 years of experience):
1) Big 4 Transaction Services (financial due diligence)
2) M&A Controller with another big multinational (big pharma player)
3) None of the above will get me closer to M&A
P.S. Just to be clear... - M&A Controller does the following: Manages a variety of transactions including acquisitions, licensing agreements, collaborations and JVs. In addition evaluates internal projects such as investment appraisals and CAPEX requests. - M&A Controller does not lead transactions.
Thank you in advance for opinions!
Get your MBA.
The way I see it, you could spend another 2 years at Big 4 Transaction Services or as the M&A Controller of another big firm. And you might break into IBD M&A that way.
But your chances would be much higher if you used those 2 years to go to business school instead, because banks recruit primarily from schools.
If you absolutely can't go to business school or you can't get into a target b-school, then I would pick Big 4 Transaction Services, because that is at least closer to working on deals than M&A Controller. But that is only if you are really opposed to going or can't for whatever reason.
Thanks for replies so far. As for b-school... I am thinking about it but then the earliest I could start in Autumn 2009 (assuming I apply in 2008). So I still have ca. 1.5 year to allocate.
Honestly I'd prefer M&A Controller role as it gives me much better back-up plan. In case breaking into M&A won't work out I'd have very good CV for commercial finance career leading to finance director role in 3-5 years time.
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