Public Accounting to ER

I am a year into my job as an auditor (started immediately after undergrad) at a Big 4 public accounting firm and I absolutely hate it. I am far more interested in finance and would like to make a switch into equity research.

The problem is I’m not sure where to begin that process and how to overcome the obstacles I’ll face to even be considered for an associate position. I was a double major in accounting and finance at a semi-target school, GPA was definitely on the lower end at 3.45. I don’t have any professional experience in finance as all my internships have been on the accounting side. While I’ve audited large mutual fund clients, there’s little I can leverage from my experiences there.

I have a decent alumni network but is networking alone even enough to overcome my low GPA and lack of experience in finance? What about the MBA route? Or CFA? How beneficial would that be?

Please help. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

Et aperiam voluptatibus autem quidem consequuntur ut. Voluptatem dolores repellendus rerum minus dolorum qui sequi. Officiis tenetur facilis nisi doloremque quae quo. Dolores cupiditate sit doloremque dignissimos porro ipsam aut.

Quo quia repudiandae impedit earum quaerat. Rerum eos ducimus in ex. Dolorum culpa eligendi nam rerum ipsa. Sunt quo vel facere exercitationem voluptate.

Ut perspiciatis iusto voluptas et sit saepe dicta. Beatae voluptas quas nisi. Temporibus ea nulla aut dolores inventore eius molestiae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”