Just wondering what exit ops look like for somebody coming from Big 4 Valuations (or M&A) with CPA and CFA® ?
Would be particularly interested in hearing what exit ops would be like in London/Europe (would be ACA qualification instead of CPA) but would also be interested to hear from folks in the US.
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How long have you been in Big 4?
I am interested in this topic too. Great post!
Digging up an old topic instead of starting a new one... This route compared to IB for breaking int PE?
One exit opp is probably moving to an Investment Bank. On finance related career websites there are several job openings posted by recruiting agencies and head hunters who look for ACA from Big 4 with previous experience in M&A or TAS for associate positions at BB and top tier boutiques. I was also told by a VP and Associate from a BB that coming from that background is one of the only two options to break into IBD at the associate level and I also met an Associate Director who spent 7 years at PwC and got there his CFA before moving to banking. Another option is moving to Business Development, I'm currently working in the Coporate Finance practice of a Big 4 in Continental Europe and I knew several people that after 3-7 years here moved to business planning or in-house M&A positions at some of the clients they have been working for.
Now from my outside looking in understanding the Corporate Finance practices in the Big 4 are similar to IBD in fact if I remember KPMG did more transactions than Goldman last year or 2 years ago. Why is it that it is so hard for those guys to get to PE after 2 years if it is the same job?
Sorry, I know TAS/Valuation is a separate group in comparison to Corporate Finance. So I guess in a way i am changing the question entirely.... Do corporate finance associates(analysts) place into PE or is it still Big 4 -> IBD -> PE
Europe is a lot different. See Kenny Powers posts.
To move to Associate in I-Banks you need an MBA. To be an BB Analyst you have to switch essentially after 2-3 years at the most, which is still VERY VERY difficult. Recruiters only want to put you forward for middle office/valuation/accounting roles - some corp dev. This means you have to hound your network, which could help.
One option that seems plausible is 1 year valuation, get into a small to mm boutique, and leverage up after a year to a bigger MM or possibly BB.
By 2.5 years in valuation with a CPA and CFA, you may be able to try Equity Research roles, but that has become significantly harder.
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