CPA & CFA - best career path?

I have a BS/MSA in accounting, a CPA, and am a level 3 candidate for the CFA(hopefully passed come August) stuck in a big 4 accounting firm. I currently have two years of experience auditing large hedge funds, and am trying to figure out the most lucrative/best long term prospects job path at this juncture in my career. I have been extremely successful with the accounting firm I'm at, but I don't think I have the patience to stick out this mundane grind to partner.

I feel as if I would be successful as an analyst or in Ibanking, however I have had friends make the transition and have had to start from the beginning. Another option would be returning to business school as i did very well on my GMATs, however this would be a frustrating situation for me as I already completed a masters program in accounting. If I could have done it again, I would have done finance, but hindsight is 20/20. Instant gratification in large compensation is not as big of a factor for me as finding my self in a very successful position in 10 years. I see quite a few CFO's in the industry with the CPA/CFA designition, but is the comp worth the risk of having your signature out there?

Just wanted to here any constructive advice anyone might have with industry experience.

 
Best Response

Having a CPA and CFA can open a lot of doors into lucrative careers in finance. If you are a hard worker and good at what you are do you can make a good living in many branches, it all comes down to what you want to do. IB is an option but neither the CPA and especially the CFA is particularly helpful in landing an IB job. You will likely have to start at the bottom unless you go to B School, just like your friends did. My advice would be to do more research, find out which jobs you would enjoy, and then go for it. Every career has a different path so find out where you want to go. With a MSA and CPA on your resume screaming back office and only two years as an auditor you will likely have to start off at the bottom for finance jobs anyways so don't sweat it.

 

Having done graduation in Economics(Hons.). Now i am pursuing MBA . and i want to be a part of banking industry (Treasury / investment banking) in future. The subjects being offered in MBA are finance, operations, International business, HR. with major minor or dual specialisation. kindly suggest me what subject along with finance should i take so that i become a suitable candidate qualification wise for the banking industry(treasury/investment department). Kindly reply soon. thanks

 

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