Pro lurker, now noob WSO member. Discouraged career switcher.

**TL;DR - 4 years into career as industry accountant, looking to switch into finance eventually for HF/PM or prop trading. What should I do?

Hi all,

Firstly thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my thread. Anyways, here are my credentials:

Accounting/Information Systems major (Class of '08), 3.3 GPA from McGill University in Canada.

I am currently working in the insurance industry as an accountant, and I want out of accounting to move into finance. I have been with the same company since graduation, and I have been promoted twice to senior accountant after a little over 4 years with the company. In terms of finance, the most relevant experience I have is doing investments accounting (which I know is not saying much...). My company is one of Berkshire's subsidiaries, so we do get to see a lot of WB's hand-picked investments for what it's worth.

From what I have garnished so far, I probably would want to work in either HF/PM or maybe prop trading, but I still need to research more about what these job descriptions entail. I do know that I love reading up about the markets and researching trading ideas/strategies. Financial analysis in general is much more stimulating to me than preparing accounting reports all day.

Anyways, after lurking on here and on M&I, I haven't really found anyone who is in my shoes. In terms of age, I am almost 26 (birthday is in April), and at this point do not know what I should do about switching in to finance.

I have a feeling that most of you would respond with MBA and then networking in to a boutique as an associate. I am preparing for my GMATs right now, and would like to get ideas on how to round out my MBA application to make up for my GPA. Should I spend more time networking? Study financial modeling / investment banking books? Study for the CFA? I would also like to know what other less expensive alternatives there are instead of the MBA, if any.

Thanks for your wisdom!