Looking for back-office work, while I study for CFA lvl 1 (Career pivot). What are my options?
Background is: Graduated from a target school 5 years ago, applied math major. Lots of statistical analysis and some coding, but zero accounting/business classes.
Been in data analytics for a specific non-finance industry for these past 5 years, and I have found my passion for finance and I really want to get out of my current job and start working in finance ASAP. Starting with back-office jobs while I study for the CFA level 1.
My current data analytics job is very sweaty so l'm looking for something that might free up more time to study, and also directly expose me to finance everyday.
I'm currently based in NYC and ideally would stay in NYC.
Specific areas of finance that interest me: Public markets, Equity research, asset management, hedge funds, trading. But really everything.
I try to learn in my free time by pulling SEC 10-Q and 10-K reports to evaluate public companies or building pro forma for real estate projects.
SIE is the easiest to get out of the way so I will take that first. Then depending on the job, I could be sponsored to take Series 7/63. And then CFA level 1 and 2 while working.
What jobs could I be qualified for? Ideally something I could interview for right now with my background, any job that would get me exposure to finance & public markets. Not afraid to cold call/network, as I think using Linkedin exclusively in my case won't work.
I think Financial reporting/Regulatory reporting could be one option.
I've talked to some risk management folks, but I know those interviews can get very technical and might be beyond where I am at the moment. I'd be competing with a lot of masters in financial engineering graduates.
Open to other options that make sense.
Thank you for any advice.
Del
Best of luck bro
With your background, you should be targeting quantitative analytics, research, and developer positions at fintech or finance firms. Afterwards, you can lateral again closer to quantitative trading or portfolio management if that's your end goal. You can show you're interested in Finance through the other avenues as you mentioned like taking the CFA Level 1, SIE, and your own personal research in company filings.
No disrespect to BO roles, but you will be bored out of your mind and the chances of you getting into a FO role is just as slim. I would say going into an MO role like risk will put you in a better situation than BO.
Do not go to a back office role.
This is not the 1980's where you'll be sitting on the desk with the trader or something. Most BO roles aren't even in the same city and the chances of making a BO/ FO jump are so slim its not even worth discussing, especially in the bulge bracket. I might be making that jump myself here shortly but it will be from a BB back office to a boutique FO sales role or something else not a bulge bracket bank I got through networking with university alum.
If you want to pursue higher education, an MFE makes the most sense, along with a mathematics, data science, comp-sci, etc masters.
I am a charterholder myself, I don't believe it makes the most sense for you. CFA makes sense if you want equity research or certain roles at an asset management shop
Iure adipisci quis hic. Consequuntur rem quia culpa ex rerum odio.
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...