Q&A: Accounting to Buy Side

Hey everyone,

I'm currently an associate at a large Canadian pension fund doing infrastructure co-investments (co-underwritten & syndicated) and infrastructure fund investments.

I studied accounting at university -> worked at a B4 for a few years in audit after gradutation -> worked at another B4 for a couple years in valuations -> moved to my current role.

This is a non-traditional path so im open to answering any questions anyone has (especially those currently not in investment banking looking to break into the buy side).

 

Thanks for doing this Q&A, I'm hoping I can make a similar jump.

Is valuations to infra at a pension a rare jump or is it a viable pathway?

I'm an intern in valuations at a non big 4 firm in Toronto, how difficult would it be for me to go buyside directly after UG?

Opinion on Canada Infrastructure Bank in terms of types of deals, comp, etc. ?

 

Thanks for doing this Q&A, I'm hoping I can make a similar jump.

Is valuations to infra at a pension a rare jump or is it a viable pathway?

I'm an intern in valuations at a non big 4 firm in Toronto, how difficult would it be for me to go buyside directly after UG?

Opinion on Canada Infrastructure Bank in terms of types of deals, comp, etc. ?

.

 

Thanks for the response. Would it better to first lateral into M&A or one of the infrastructure advisory groups at a big 4?

 

Thanks for this

I'm curious

1) how common are consulting transitions to the pension funds? e.g. CPP. And if so, what kind of roles, - is it more investing role, or is it more operational, or other?=

2) how are the hours? 

3) I know the funds have been doing more and more emerging market stuff. I'm wondering if they're doing much in the Latam space?

 

soccerman

queso

Thanks for this

I'm curious

1) how common are consulting transitions to the pension funds? e.g. CPP. And if so, what kind of roles, - is it more investing role, or is it more operational, or other?=

2) how are the hours? 

3) I know the funds have been doing more and more emerging market stuff. I'm wondering if they're doing much in the Latam space?

1) i wouldn't say its uncommon especially for the big plans. CPP for example has many internal consulting-style roles (not just investing).

2) ~55 hours a week

3) Very little LatAM - its incredibly risky still relatively speaking. And Infrastructure is generally more focused on downside protection than upside. 

Could I ask what the internal consulting roles are about? 

And looking for broad perspectives, not just infra, e.g. real estate as well

Thanks!

 

Thanks for this!

1) i am doing a rotation role from UG (rotated fpa and treasury), how hard does it transfer directly to pension fund or IBD? Is this mean huge amount of networking? Do you have any advice?

2) how do you think the culture/pay/hours of pension funds in canada? Could you comment on the technical skills required from different teams?

3) are there any hh this year? Does the macro environment affect the job mkt in pension funds?

Thanks in advance.

 
Most Helpful
dianna

Thanks for this!

1) i am doing a rotation role from UG (rotated fpa and treasury), how hard does it transfer directly to pension fund or IBD? Is this mean huge amount of networking? Do you have any advice?

2) how do you think the culture/pay/hours of pension funds in canada? Could you comment on the technical skills required from different teams?

3) are there any hh this year? Does the macro environment affect the job mkt in pension funds?

Thanks in advance.

.

 

Thanks for the replies!

Actually I am about to rotate and am tangled with choosing treasury finance and performance analytics. Based on my discussion with both teams, I feel like PA offers steeper learning curves on understanding the business and present to high level at junior. However, TF seems a better choice for my LT career goal (move to IBD/buy side) but I assume worse work exposure than PA. My program manager mentioned technical stuff can learn by myself but the opportunity to learn a business is valuable. How do you think of it? If I don’t have related bg to recruit IBD/bayside (TF in my case), does it affect?

Personally, I am taking CFA L1 and I am learning some modeling skills online.

 

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