Soul-Sucking Accounting --> RE Private Equity

Question: I went from CRE Brokerage straight out of undergrad in '08 (great timing), back to a summer advanced accounting certificate program (originally Finance/Entrepreneurship major) in 2009, to non-Big 4 Public Accounting firm in Silicon Valley June 2010-present.

I just finished my CPA and am looking to go back into CRE but on the analyst side of the equation (preferably acquisitions over asset mgmt) on the West Coast. The real question is, the best route to do this considering an allocation of $1,000 bucks towards:

a) gmat test prep course for top-tier MBA (went to Jesuit non-ranked undergrad)
b) ARGUS certification classes
c) CFA Level I (probably not)
d) Strippers and Bottles while a real estate convention is in Vegas (ULI, ICSC, etc.)

What is the best route? I learned at the tender age of 23 that pounding the pavement and networking is the only way to go if you don't have brand-name recognition in your undergrad school. Suggestions?

 

1) B-School: Good option. Doesn't necessarily have to be top-tier. I can't remember where I heard it, but I once heard a successful RE player say, "Real estate is full of C students."

2) ARGUS: Can't hurt to add to your resume since it if often needed. But it's probably not enough to get you over the hump.

3) CFA - No.

4) ICSC is next week and I hear some of the bigger parties are coming back after a few years of keeping it low key. Go nuts.

 

Iusto alias impedit accusamus dolores exercitationem iusto eaque aut. Molestiae nisi velit vel deserunt. Ut cupiditate magnam omnis doloribus et sit dicta.

Illum ullam quasi animi ut voluptas. Recusandae quis beatae maxime facere nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (21) $586
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (89) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (204) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (386) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (28) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (313) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”