2018-02-18

do you want it or no? you say Dream job so take it.

you don't need to be a genius to be a great analyst. some good ones are people who catch on things quickly and know what the associate expects and gets things done on time and well.

every analyst is going to be proactive cause they want to look good. the better ones are people who can be creative and also know what else they can add.

2018-02-18

You can always get that ACA, Goldman? maybe not.

2018-02-18

Take the GS offer hands down.

If you're worried about your lack of skills - don't be. As many before me have mentioned your academics show you're more than intelligent enough to deal with the learning curve. The accounting training you've gained will also pay its dividends as you'd be able to deep dive financials way ahead of your cohort.

For now it should be your goal to make a headstart by working on your Excel and modelling skills in your spare time.

2018-02-18

Dude, fuck the ACA. Take Goldman and don't even question it

2018-02-18

That's the thing, it's impossible to know. If you limit your target firms to GS/MS/JPM, a lot of luck will be involved. Like others here, I would definitely take the GS offer. You will always have time to do the ACA again and the exit opportunities/brand of GS are simply much better.

2018-02-18

I don’t know anything apart from what’s written here about the ACA exams, but if this was in America there is very little above a GS IBD analyst position in terms of attractiveness at entry level, and absolutely no accounting position or certification that comes close. This may explain some of the answers as one would be delusional to pass on this opportunity in the states.

It sounds like you want to finish the exams so look at potential upside/downside:

1) Take GS offer a) survive 1 year+, experience the GS culture, and plan to climb the banking ladder, or exit to the buy side with so many open doors (top possibility)

b) burn out early, explain to future companies that the culture wasn’t for you or sign back up to finish the ACA

2) Finish out ACA a) finish the ACA, roll the dice again and land a top bank offer (your perceived top outcome)

b) finish ACA and fail at banking recruiting for 1-2 cycles, lose short term potential for buyside future, live with regret

If this was really your dream job you probably wouldn’t be asking this here, but let’s assume it is and you’re simply a worrier. The downside case in staying with the ACA is much higher than in going with GS in my opinion, and your true worry of ‘not making it’ due to intelligence, is just not something to seriously consider. Realize how many people from various backgrounds do IB and that with a top uni + 2.5 years of accounting training you’re arguably as prepared to succeed as anyone.

Please accept the offer and I think after a couple of months on the job your confidence will be much higher

not really qualified to give advice but if i were in your position, i'd take the GS IBD offer.

2018-02-18

The majority of users in WSO are based in the US so would be unfamiliar with what the ACA is, but my understanding is it is the equivalent of the CPA for our friends across the pond.

There are differences between the US and London IBD/PE scene where due to the fact that here in the UK we do not operate a 2 year and out program, and given the PE market is also much smaller, buy-side recruiting operates on a much more ad-hoc basis rather than the recruiting frenzy seen a few months into a first year analyst's program for a start date 18 months from now. Switches to buy side will typically occur during the Analyst 2 to Associate 2 level and the EBs/BBs will 'replenish' their juniors at that level from other BBs/EBs/lower tier banks/Big 4 ACA. It is also not atypical for some of the PEs (UK MM PEs in particular) to prefer ACAs to those who have done M&A (see here for another WSO user commenting the same: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/investment-banking-in-london-eur…)

I know some banks (e.g. CS and GHL, though not sure if GHL still do) have a ACA recruiting program where you come in as an Analyst 3 or Associate 1 - this means you get some 'credit' for your time completing the ACA and wouldn't start from scratch as an Analyst 1, though this may depend on which team you are currently in (more credit would be given to Big 4 M&A teams/transaction services). If you lateral outside the program through headhunters, some roles will also specifically look for those with ACA only.

It depends what is your end goal really. ACA certainly has value in the UK, but if the goal is to go to the buyside in the UK, nothing beats recruiting from GS/JPM/MS where they truly dominate in this space - just have a look at exits vs. every other bank on LinkedIn. With that in mind, I would take the GS offer if it was me.

2018-02-18

.

Do you want your dream job or a credential that may (or may not) help you land your dream job?

2018-02-18

As others said - you know its your dream job. Why in the world would you not take it? I can tell you that you won't get another offer from GS if you decline this.

Secondly, your post is pretty specific for someone not trying to be specific. Lets not risk your dream job by being specific enough to be indentified, not that your post *should * do that.

And in regards to 'what do you say to this', that is putting risk on your offer (albiet low). Based on your most recent post it seems like this isn't your dream job, as the decision would be made already.

Finally, not that ACA qualification isn't a great merit to earn - but what are the benefits of taking it if you want to do investment banking and have an offer at a BB. You already got an offer.

Stop over thinking the situation. You got an offer, if it is your dream job, take it. The ACA is not relevant enough to contemplate finishing it.

I will say this, you seem to be against taking the job based on your comments. Is it really your dream job? I only recommend what I posted because of your initial statement. Seems to me you don't want the job.

Multiple people have said take the offer, and you counter. You also start talking about not having the knowledge for the role, you know enough. It seems like you are looking for us to tell you not to take the offer.

One piece of advice regarding certifications - they're most beneficial with active maintenance. That is, if you go work in banking for some while, you won't really be doing accounting work. Trying to fall back on the ACA afterward won't be as easy as you think because you'll be judged on your recent experience much more than something you did years ago.

That gets to my next point, which is after working in investment banking, you won't be targeting accounting jobs in all likelihood. You'll be after something else, and your salary demands will be higher than what will be offered in the accounting world.

Looks like CF123 posted something that he did not want to blow up as much as it did... I feel ya bro

Haha yes thanks Clemsonrichyrich! Appreciative of everyone's advice, but you are right that this is a small world and did not mean to blow up