Big 4 Audit to MBB

I have 3 years experience and am a high performer in Big 4 audit with my CPA but long term would love to end up at a MBB in strategy consulting. I was a double major in Finance and accounting from a non-prime school with a 3.8 GPA. Based on reading threads it seems like the best option is to try to get into a Top 10 MBA program. I realize that is difficult but am trying to determine the best way to position myself. Outside of a top GMAT score (700+), great community service, and recommendations (all seem to be mandatory) which path or combination of paths would be most beneficial:

Work in Audit for another year and get early promoted to manager (likely option) and then apply
Transfer into TS group and work for a year or two before applying
Work in audit for another year and then do a 2 year international tour and then apply
Sit for my CFA (or other qualification) while doing either of the options above.

I guess it really boils down to whether or not switching to TS is more beneficial or getting the manager title is more valuable and if adding a second certification of some kind is really worth it. Thanks!

 

Honestly, you just need to get into a MBA business schools">M7 MBA. MBB interviews like 150 people. Nothing matters once your in the interview room other than performance on the case and some standard interview questions. I do not know anyone that wanted an MBB interview and did not get one.

Moving down the rankings to schools like Ross and Fuqua, you will probably have to hustle a little bit more, but I would imagine most people get interviews as well.

 
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My advice would be to move to TS as soon as possible. Leadership matters for business school applications (where your early promotion would help), but job selectivity and brand matter even more. Still, getting in will be challenging from a big4. But doable. I got accepted to Top 10 US MBAs after starting in audit and moving to advisory.

One thing I would disagree with the poster above. Not everyone who wants an MBB interview gets one, even at the top schools. I went to a top school in Europe and, even if MBB interviewed hundreds, I think at least 50 people that applied to MBB got no interviews whatsoever. They did get interviews from Tier 2/Big4 consulting though. This is not to discourage you, but even an MBA business schools">M7 MBA is not a guaranteed path to MBB.

 

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