Big 4/CPA then get my CFA and break into IB?

Hello WSO Network,

Here is the deal. I am 22 and a Senior Accounting student with a subpar overall GPA (2.9/4.0) and a decent Accounting GPA (3.6/4.0). I want to break into IB, I attend a non-target university as well. I know that I am going to have to grind 10x harder and go a different route to make it into IB. I was involved in three professional orgs and president of my fraternity, while working full-time at a bank and then as a Tax Intern at a Regional Public Accounting firm. Thankfully, I will begin my Masters in Accounting in Fall 2018 and will be CPA Eligible by Spring 2019. Apologize for the rant, here is my thought on getting into IB, let me know if this is unrealistic.

  1. Considering my background, would it be smart to -> get CPA->Big 4 Tax (2-3 years)-->Network with IB and begin taking level I,II,III CFA--->land IB Role by Age 26.

Let me know what you all think below. Thanks.

 
Best Response

Don't go into tax, it has no transferable skills or knowledge.

Get into the Big 4 (audit > tax) and transfer to the Corporate Finance or Transaction Services group as soon as possible if you want to be in IB.

Depending on where you're from, the CPA and CFA may or may not help you getting into IB - just have to figure out what the perspective is of the respective designation in your geographic area.

I made a similar move recently - feel free to PM.

 

CFA isn't really going to help you much. Agree with OP above. Try to network into TS. Continue to network (if you can) and lateral into an analyst position. If not, rock the GMAT and go to a T15 MBA program and go through associate recruiting. Source: former B4 auditor in business school.

 

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