Please help Investment Company CFO

I am a Senior Auditor working in the investment management space. I've worked on PE funds, mutual funds and hedge funds (mostly hedge funds) for 3.5 years at a big 4 public accounting firm.

I'd like to get any thoughts on the best path to become a CFO of an investment company.

Should I get an MBA?
Should I pass the CFA

 
Best Response

Ask some of your clients how they did it. You must come across the CFO's/their direct subs of some of your hedge fund clients so ask them if they'd grab coffee or a drink with you to talk about the path to their position. Make sure they know you're not asking for a job, just their advice, and most people would be happy to talk. They know that no one wants to be in audit forever.

Most of the people I've come across in those roles also are in charge of the ops, compliance and all administrative folks and functions so I'd imagine you want to get out of audit and start developing a more well rounded finance/acct/ops background. I've seen guys with MBA's and without, with CFA's and without (although I'm not sure that a CFA is going to be that applicable because you're not making investment decisions and it may show initiative but it's a lot of work just to show interest) but the best advice you're going to get is from some of your clients. I can almost guarantee you that no one on WSO is the CFO of an HF/PE/AM firm but you have direct access to them.

 

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