Back Office to Front Office (Consulting)
Hi,
I'd like to ask forum members for advice on moving from back office (Accounting) to a front office (Consulting) role.
Background:
I've been working at a medium sized financial services consulting company for the past 8 months and have been working my butt off to stand out (pulling 70 hours/week when peers are hitting 50). This has had a great effect on establishing my reputation at the firm, my boss has referred to me as a rising star to the CFO (his boss), I've been "asked about" by the COO of the firm in regards to a project I worked on, and both my boss and the CFO have received complimentary emails from MD's and other senior members about me.
In my current role I have regular communication with Managing Directors and their assistants on their projects mainly related to billings. I have used this to pitch a work opportunity to an MD (they had already pursued it).
I have a Finance degree from a non-target school with an average GPA. 25 years old.
I eventually want to use experience working in this Management Consulting role to increase my chances of getting into a top MBA program.
What is the best way for me to go about trying to convert what I have here into a front office job? I am also unsure as to how my CFO would take it (my boss is leaving to join a Mega Fund PE firm and has expressed a willingness to bring me on-board in the future but it would be in an accounting role.) and I do not want to burn any bridges or jeopardize my current position. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Try networking with people from other companies, alumni from your school. And if you want to stay at the same firm as you are now just ask your boss for the change of positions. If he likes you as much as you described it he might be open about it.
I made the move from BO to FO within the Wealth Management industry. Just from your feed it seems like you're doing all the right things ... FO depending on the sales role is about networking, I didn't really follow that route per se as I wanted to focus on exams instead and leveraged those to move forward. I do intend on networking more going forward. To be fair, FO isn't everything. You might be better using the experience that you have and looking at contracting work $$$ per day ... which usually has a big premium. Worth a thought.
wizards_apprentice, curious, what kind of position did you transition to from WM? I'm also in a similar situation -- received an offer from a consulting firm and looking to make a move from PWM. Sorry, I would have PM'd you, but I do not have enough banana points.
@ OP -- I would keep working diligently at your current firm. Finance is a small world, and having your boss go to a PE job is gold if you play your cards right. Even if he cannot bring you on at his PE firm, he can probably help you out at other PE firms (via references). Also, if possible, I would recommend looking at taking the GMAT for your resume. Best of luck!
Don't know why but your story (if it's true) really stood out to me; finally, someone that works hard with realistic goals and doesn't take anything for granted.
Good luck !
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