Career switch - Tax to Financial Modelling

Hi all,

I graduated almost 3 years ago, started off in the Big 4 working in Tax. I left the firm and joined a smaller firm working within tax largely and now I have a more varied tax portfolio in different areas (corporate, private client, partnerships). I am still studying for my chartered accounting qualification (ACA) and am part way through it. Recently came to the conclusion that I do not enjoy working in tax and do not want to continue in it after qualifying, but I am concerned that I have pigeonholed myself in this industry. After some research, Financial modelling is an area that I want to get into and find it incredibly interesting. I have decent Excel skills, but do not know VBA, SQL and have not worked on 3 statement models.

I would like to start making progress towards this and do not want to apply for jobs in financial modelling with no experience at all upon qualifying.

If anybody has advice as to the suggested steps for me to start making progress and transition within the next few years towards a financial modelling career path, I welcome all advice.

I initially planned to go from M&A tax --> M&A/ Transactions Advisory , but to be honest I am not very sure about what would be the right pathway for me to pursue from now on? There is a financial modelling department in my firm, and another option I considered was to speak to a manager there and ask to help out on any projects.

What do you all think/suggest? Please let me know. Thanks!

2 Comments
 

Big 4 firms do have valuation, M&A transaction, and capital markets departments, try to get there, it may be more feasible move for you with an ACA. Then, after a year, you could do a lateral move to an MM IB.

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