Big Four to IB in todays market

Looking for some advice for the potential move from auditing to IB

Let me preface by saying i enjoy my team and the area of my client I work just wish the work wa slightly more fulfilling. I work on FS client in the northeast working on their IB business and it has been super interesting to me. I have been trying for a couple months now to try to do some additional research learning about the space and trying to reach out to connections i have in the space to chat and maybe start building out my network.

Would love to hear the communities thoughts / opinions on how someone could make the move? I know it is not a great time to be trying to switch and have read 2025 may be the best time but wanted some feedback on how to start planning. Thanks!

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A few thoughts:

I’d try to switch to your firms’ valuation team and try to work on as many transaction-related work-streams as possible (i.e., purchase price allocations, fairness opinions, etc.). Even if you don’t fully transfer, working there on a project or two can be beneficial to talk through an interview. In addition, I’d get prepped sooner rather than later in case a coffee chat pops up (get your story well rehearsed / know at least the basic technical questions).

I wouldn’t necessarily try to time it based on market conditions given you never know when a firm needs to bring someone in and that might be your chance. The sooner you switch, the sooner you start building your IB experience (meaning - whether you’re an analyst 2 or a senior 3 at a Big 4, you might still be brought in as an analyst, so you might as well do that as early in your career as you can).

Down the road, if you feel you’re still stuck and still want to make the move to IB, keep in mind the possibility of pursuing an MBA to get channeled in through that recruiting process.

Best of luck!

 

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