I'm currently a first year Audit monkey for a Big4 firm, my training contract has me complete 14/15 ACA exams in the first 8 months of work. Outside of this we've been sent in for a few months of work during our firms busy season.
During the busy season I found that the nature of Audit work was not quite what I wanted and came across as not analytical enough, really I was spending 80% of my time chasing down clients and ticking boxes rather then producing anything meaningful. As a result I'm looking to do my 3 years in Audit and then perhaps reskill with a MSc in Finance to pursue another, more technical finance role. Though I do understand that it's entirely possible to make the jump to ER, TAS etc straight from Audit I want to rebrand myself with a more prestigious degree first.
My main question is with the following "attributes" what sort of courses can I expect to reasonably be accepted for.
-Somewhat weak 2:1 Maths degree from a semi-target (Nottingham), though my 3rd year results were 65% ish.
-14/15 ACA exams done in an 8 month period + a few years of work at a Big4
-GMAT score of 710
-CFA Level 1 <- Though this is yet to be sat/passed and feels like it might be redundant.
I have a feeling that my degree feels like somewhat of a limiting factor which concerns me. Though would I be wrong to assume that I have a reasonable chance of getting into weak targets like UCL/Warwick but Oxford/LSE/Imperial would most likely be a shot in the dark without some seriously strong extracurriculars to back it up and a compelling GMAT score (730+)
As well as this when it comes to Extra-curricular (or the work equivalent), what sort of things are these Universities really looking for? My current plan is once I finish off my final ACA exams to start writing my own limited ER reports (NOT on my firms clients). Then essentially testing out my report recommendations by simulating a small hedge fund (say 100m initial). Though I would most likely 'invest' in securities outside of just those covered in my ER report, especially if any strategy I employ necessitates a more complex portfolio.
Any advice would be more than appreciated.
Bump - also interested in any advice given
Do you have to pay back the training costs for the ACA if you leave?
Et quia tenetur quia accusamus id. Neque sit ex voluptatem. Quia error deserunt ipsam nobis.
Sed ut voluptatibus aperiam rerum nam rerum voluptas. Aut unde doloribus repellat dolore deserunt dolores rem. Et unde corrupti quos tempora et. Et eligendi sed delectus dignissimos maxime.
Nulla molestiae non pariatur aut impedit et earum. Atque enim placeat velit tempore. Sapiente aperiam quia harum. Occaecati odit beatae doloremque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Corrupti non reiciendis est qui consectetur iure. Et odio assumenda et qui sed. Itaque rem quis qui quidem adipisci illum earum sit. Itaque tenetur voluptatem omnis rerum et quia molestiae et. Aut eaque a tempore harum et ea et reiciendis. Non nulla accusantium itaque quidem illo. Porro laudantium et perspiciatis sit pariatur occaecati voluptates.