Q&A: PwC Audit -- Advisory -- Top 15 MBA

Question

Starting a Q&A thread for any Big4 Auditors or Advisory folks looking to transition to a top MBA. I leaned heavily on WSO to complete the journey up to this point, and want to give back to those currently mired in the Big 4 grind. I cannot thank WSO enough for giving me the knowledge and confidence to achieve what I once thought impossible. Quick Background - Big 4 FS audit for 3 years --> Advisory for 2 years --> Attending a Top 15 MBA next fall. Very hard to take this path but it's doable. Goal is to enter investment banking after my MBA.

susan.cera · Accepted Answer

I have had the opportunity to work with dozens of CPAs at various stages in their careers and guide them on their MBA journeys. Some were still with a big 4 when they applied. Others had transitioned to advisory. When bschools say they evaluate holistically, they truly do. Your CPA can only get you so far. They are admitting a person, not a certification, GMAT score or 'profile.' The key is developing your personal narrative including your short-term goals and career aspirations and why MBA?

Thecrook · Answer

IB after a stint in Big 4 TS / Valuation is very much a possibility.  My path is a bit different (undergrad -> TS -> MM IB) but saw plenty of people who transferred from non Advisory service lines make the jump to IB including a kid in my start class that did the same thing. There was even a tax senior manager and tax associate who transferred previously make the IB move as associates.

I also wanted to transfer internally from TS to big 4 Corp fin but found a lot of internal walls I wasn’t expecting.

RBOB_squarepants · Answer

Sorry for the late response. Great question - in the short term yes, but in the long term no. Advisory pays better, you work less (in general), and your role looks more prestigious on an MBA application. If I joined advisory directly I could have saved way more money for my MBA and had a much easier path to get into a top school. However, the skillsets you gain between the two groups are completely different and I am a much more efficient and effective worker from my time in audit.

RBOB_squarepants · Answer

As for how I transferred, the process was pretty easy for me, although I was the exception. I performed well my first 2 years in audit and forged a great relationship with my audit partner. After my 2nd year I told him I was interested in joining advisory and he said he would put in a good word for me if I stayed another busy season for him, which I did. After my 3rd busy season, I received an email to apply for advisory openings, I applied, the partner put in a good word, and I got it.

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Q&A: PwC Audit --> Advisory --> Top 15 MBA

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Q&A: PwC Audit --> Advisory --> Top 15 MBA

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