Where can one realistically go from corporate finance? For example, let's say you start out in a corporate finance role within a Fortune 500 company, what other finance related jobs can you transition to? (Still mention them, even if the transition would require a grad degree, such as an MBA, or a credential such as the CFA.)
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Bump. What finance and non-finance jobs can one get after a few years in corporate finance?
Bump interested in this as well
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OP here. Note, I wasn't talking only about IB jobs. I'm interested in hearing about the various exit opps from corporate finance.
I am currently working in corporate finance at a top F500 company. I'd say, with the right goals in mind, the opportunities are endless because you will have a great base knowledge of finance. Plus every company has finance/accounting departments.
In my company, if you wanted to transfer to accounting, treasury, credit risk, these are all possible if you put your time in. With the great work/life balance you could get work experience and get into a top 50 MBA, CPA, CFA. and change from there.
Realistically, it depends how motivated you are and if you have a vision of where you want to go. Will you get into HBS by working in corporate finance alone? Chances are slim, but then again, maybe you'll get your CPA/CFA and have great undergrad grades.
Transfer into accounting if you put in your time? wtf. What group are you in? Accounts Payable?
I know plenty of people at top 10 business schools (including HBS) who worked in Corp Fin. None of which have, or need, a CPA or CFA.
Your thoughts on this F100 corp finance position (exit ops/upside?) (Originally Posted: 12/05/2013)
Hi,
I'm currently working in PWM at a local/regional boutique, and I've been looking to transition to corporate finance. I saw this role at a F100/Dow component tech company. I will post the description below, but could you please provide any thoughts on this position, what the possible exit ops are (pre-MBA? tech-related equity research/IB role?) and upside? I'm more familiar with FP&A and treasury positions, so this role was a bit new to me. It's a big enough company that I'm leaning towards gunning for it, with the idea that even if it isn't a perfect fit, I could hopefully lateral for something else at the firm down the road if there was something nice that opened up. Cookies and good karma in return for advice. My background is undergrad econ at a target, 3.5 years in PWM, prior bookkeeping work for our family business, summer internship with a local CPA shop, and I'm a CFA Level 3 candidate.
Posting:
Retirement Finance Analyst/Supplier Manager
The Retirement Finance Analyst will be responsible for performing the following critical activities for [company name] Global Retirement Programs:
Finance role: Manage payment streams among complex trust account structures. Manage payments to multiple vendors. Support the funding analysis and execution for [company name] global retirement plans.
Supplier Manager role: Partners with external vendors and [company name] procurement organization to manage the relationship which exists between [company name] and external suppliers. Also responsible for managing the compilation and analysis of statistical data trend and process tracking. Manages escalated issues and drives to successful resolution.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in business, accounting, finance, human resources, or related field from four-year college or university; or equivalent experience and/or training is required.
3-5 years' of directly related experience.
Basic understanding of the pension and securities industries.
Preferred Qualifications:
Directly related experience with retirement plans is highly preferred Candidate should be an expert at reviewing and reconciling large dollar amounts and intricate plan rules.
Additional Qualifications:
The successful candidate should demonstrate high accuracy and attention to detail.
Candidate should have the ability to multi task among several high priority activities; ability to work independently and escalate on a timely basis when guidance is needed.
Candidate should also be able to demonstrate clear, effective , oral and written communication.
Candidate should be able to define moderately complex problems as well as seek and identify opportunities to continually improve processes and methods within the work group.
Experience with using the 7 step problem solving process is a plus
Anyone? Lol?
I have zero experience with this, but from the description I'm not sure it will help in any way getting into ER/IB, especially tech. You're probably going to need an MBA to move into IB.
It's more of an AP management and operations role. Most vendor relationships are built by buyers and AP people. Zero chance that it helps getting into IB or ER. Honestly I don't think it's a good step up in the right direction for moving up the corporate finance ladder either.
This sounds purely MO/BO role. It won't get you into a FO role. You should be looking for those roles that invest part of the retirement or pension accounts.
Thanks for the comments. For me it seems more than anything that it could be a foot in the door to a solid F500. I've been looking around for quite some time so it could be a good break.
One of the questions I asked was how much internal mobility was in this position (I phrased it as "upside potential") and what they said was encouraging, like there have been people who have moved from positions such as this to Treasury and even engineering (tech company); while that was an extreme example, it was nice to hear.
I'll cross that bridge when it comes should it be that I get an offer.
Exit Opportunities and Grad School from Corporate Finance (Originally Posted: 10/27/2017)
What would the potential exit opportunities be from corporate finance in a Fortune 10 company? Would I have chances at top MBA programs like HBS (considering I have a good GPA and GMAT)? What about getting into T-12 JD programs? How would these opportunities differ if I was doing consulting at a restructuring consulting firm (though NOT at a top tier like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Big 4, etc) ? Trying to decide between my options. Thanks!
Hey econ, I think you deserve a response...heck, everyone does. We're listening, sorry about the delay ...my best guess at places on WSO that could help:
More suggestions...
Fingers crossed that one of those helps you.
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