Consultant at a Crossroad
WSO,
A little background:
-Senior Consultant at a Big 4 in a major city. Group focuses on Strategy & Ops projects related to the CFO (Finance Org Alignment, Cost Improvements, PMI, Close Management)
-Transitioned into the group from Audit, accounting background but non-CPA
-Big 10 School (not Mich or NW)
I'm coming to the community because after 100+ flights this year, I'm ready to make a move out consulting. I'm progressing within my group and expect to make manger this year, however, outside of soft-skills development, I feel like I've garnered everything I want from my current opportunity.
I've spent the past few months seeking out opportunities that I know I'm under-qualified for such as Corp Dev & Strategy, PE, VC, Ibanking, and high-level start up positions. I've had a few first rounds in these areas but am obviously out-experienced and credentialed by other candidates coming from traditional consulting/IB backgrounds.
I've been attempting to focus my search on "strategic finance", that area where finance and ops meet. I view this as an area where I can add some value through process improvement, but can also hone the technical skills I'm not developing in my current role. I'm ideally looking for a flat org structure where I could work close with a director and be in-tune with management decisions.
From my view, these positions may exist at PE-backed portfolios or mid-stage VC backed start-ups. Trouble is these position don't exist on normal job boards or with recruiters, and my network doesn't seem to run too deep in this area. Outside of continuously pursuing LinkedIn and sending cold networking emails, does anyone have any advice on ID'ing these types of opportunities?
Additionally, any general advice would be great, as I haven't seen to many people with a similar background outside of a traditional accounting role, which I have 0 desire for. Going back for a full time MBA, is out of the cards for a variety of reasons, but I would look to get into a strong part-time program once I get off the consulting road.
Appreciate any advice. I've used this forum for many years and continue to find it to be one of the best professional sources on the web.
Can you explain what you mean by strategic finance? Not sure I understand how that is different from general corporate development or internal finance roles (but then again, ops is definitely not something I have much experience in).
"From my view, these positions may exist at PE-backed portfolios or mid-stage VC backed start-ups. Trouble is these position don't exist on normal job boards or with recruiters, and my network doesn't seem to run too deep in this area. "
I actually would not discount the usual basket of finance recruiters (and recruiters generally). I have definitely seen some roles at portcos forwarded by recruiters, so they're out there. If you have friends at PE funds, maybe you can ask who they use when they do their executive searches.
I view it as a hybrid of FP&A with the potential for some corporate development work. I've more so began to use the term to try and find a position that strictly isn't one or the other.
Appreciate the advice on finance recruiters and the traditional PE recruiting firms.
Look for FP&A roles in small/mid-sized companies. These companies tend to not have well defined groups (treasury/FP&A/corp dev/IR) due to their size and the FP&A team does a lot of heavy lifting.
Given their size and role, these smaller teams also can great exec exposure. Assuming you would probably come in around the manager level, this could help you significantly.
Any suggestions on where to locate these roles outside of the job boards and finance recruiters mentioned above.
Additionally, what's everyone thoughts on beginning this pursuit around the holidays? How long after the new year is it worth starting to track down these opportunities? Thanks
Est voluptates fuga sit eum maiores aut ipsam reprehenderit. Ut recusandae aut ab ea.
Consectetur consectetur ad dolore necessitatibus ut corrupti. Unde enim libero iure iste molestiae rem. Earum sed corrupti rerum temporibus sapiente culpa. Ipsam aut ex similique non alias. Sunt sed doloremque illo ratione. Quod tempore suscipit sequi molestias qui repudiandae maxime dignissimos.
Saepe fugiat dolor consequatur dolorum. Voluptates deleniti velit non molestiae ut qui voluptatum. Sit libero exercitationem et atque laudantium voluptatem. Qui ea ea animi recusandae doloremque molestias sapiente. Beatae praesentium dolor quidem. Similique eos minus eos. Sunt nam fuga illum reprehenderit sunt voluptatem.
Est ipsa mollitia quod est. Atque repellendus error architecto cum aut ipsum consectetur. Quas fugit reprehenderit vel aliquam. Voluptas ipsam voluptatem quibusdam sed et placeat.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...