Completing my MAC and CPA --> now what
I am graduating next semester and want to go into a analyst or associate role in M&A and LBO's. Here are my credentials.
1) BA Accounting 3.8 GPA
2) BA Finance 4.0 GPA
3) MAC from Norte Dame --> emphasis on Financial Accounting and Mergers and Acquisitions
4) Nearly completed with the CPA exam
Now I got into M&A and love it. I really enjoy learning about other corporate structures and reshaping it to be more efficient. Also, I enjoy valuations....like I do FCF for fun.
Is this (education wise) good to get into M&A and a IB? I have had some internship but they all have been in Accounting and Audit. Any direction would be helpful. Thanks!
I think usually CFAs and MBAs are more beneficial to getting into M&A and valuations but with your qualifications I'm sure stranger crossovers have happened.
I thought your school had a career fair this past summer? what were you doing?
Interning - External Auditing
I don't understand how the OP got an SB for his/her post... Especially when he wrote "want to go into a analyst or associate role in M&A and LBO's".
But anyway, what you need to try and do is get an internship in something more relevant. Audit is fine and all, but in a more competitive market such as the one we're in, you'll be going up against peers that have some BB or MM IB internship. Given it's almost February and most BBs/boutiques are finishing up summer hiring, you should try and look at what are some places that are still posting summer positions. I'd imagine Notre Dame would have some views, but I'm not American so I don't know if 'semi-target' schools have good OCR or not. Your best bet is go on Linkedin or your school's alumni database and try and find some willing alumni to sit down for a coffee meet or have a phone convo and try and transition that into an inquiry on whether they are hiring summers (after you've developed rapport with them).
Once you have some IB summer exp, you'll have a better shot at it for FT.
Lastly, given your education, you'll be looking at analyst, not likely associate (unless you've completed an MBA, or in some cases - but far fewer, law school)
Thanks for the reply. So there is no full time position that would be taking me in without some internship in the relevant field? If so then I guess I'll be interning with a masters degree but thats ok with me as long as I can break into the field. I guess I shoud have just gone straight from my bachlors however in this market having my CPA cant hurt (except the time for keeping it up).
If your CPA was a CA instead, and you were looking in Canada or in Europe (particularly UK), then you would have a far better shot because a CA is well regarded in Canada/UK and not uncommon to see someone with a strong Big 4 internship transition into a FT banking job.
But in US, a CPA is not as well regarded, and long story short, you should try and get experience that is perceived to be more relevant.
I take it you have an audit position(I hope with big 4) These are the steps. spend the first year in the audit practice until you are a senior then request a move to valuation group(network with the group) Depending on the company EY TAS D&T FAS( they have their own IB group but i heard it is hard to get into and the deals are not that great) PWC TS KPMG Valuation(i dont remember their name)
After a year in that group, you should be able to move to an analyst position with in a bank.
Also try to get to NY office of your firm, it makes networking a lot easier for banking. (Also i would not recommend asking to be moved to the valuation group right away, they will pull your offer, I dont know why, but the Big 4 get butt hurt about moving groups and shit)
you can always take a shot and try to get into IB right away but, you are really late in the game for FT recruiting. The only areas you can shoot for at this time are boutiques, and they only hire if they need help.(so this more of luck thing.
Good luck brotha
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