Hey guys,
I was just curious if anyone on here has recently gone through the Big 4 Audit -> TAS/FDD -> PE route and if they have any advice to share? Is this route a possibility or is it far fetched to think that an accountant can move into the generalist-esq finance field of PE? Just trying to get some perspectives as I just finished getting my CPA and am recruiting for TAS/FDD roles. Any and all opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Educational background: state school, b.b.a. accounting m.s. finance. 3.65 GPA; 730 GMAT.
Consulting background: Boutique shop in Houston. I built sector specific experience (oil and gas) through various projects that were all related to PE/transactions. A couple IPO's of PE backed businesses, a divestiture, a recently backed company. Process design, pricing strategy, ERP implementation, etc.
Reasons (I think) I got hired: 1. My network and understanding of the industry were both strong for someone with ~2.5 years experience. The small firm allowed me to get face time with client executives, and experience leading projects/workstreams just a year in. 2. I was a value. I've seen the resumes of my competition with the notes from my MD and he always wrote their base and bonus on the top. I believe they thought I could do the job based on my degrees and GMAT, but much cheaper than a banker and also more willing/excited to do shit work like reporting and admin. 3. Consulting requires you to have to learn a company in depth on the run, so they were in the middle of multiple deals and I was the only "analyst" for the NAM office which had a decent portfolio already, so I pitched my ability to add value with minimal guidance.