Strategy and Operations - Finance, Hopeful
Hi all, I was looking for a little advice regarding the consultancy profession and how to achieve my goals.
Backgroud: I currently work in one of the Big 4's Risk Advisory Practices. Although they call us consultants, my work primarily deals with internal controls and operational efficiency over financial institutions (transfer agents, mutual fund accounting groups, etc).
Goal: My goal is to become a strategy and operations consultant (well, I guess technically it would financial management). I found a job description on the Deloitte site that matches the type of work I feel I would like to do, it's titled Strategy and Operations - Finance, but I can't post links.
Questions:
1: Will my work experience be relevant to this type of career path? I am not a financial statement auditor, is that primarily what they are looking for as previous experience?
2: I plan on getting my MBA after I reach senior and have 3 years of work experience. Are these types of programs interested only in the top 10 schools, or would something a little lower have recruitment avenues? (Think Ohio State, CMU)
3: What can I do now to make this goal of mine achievable?
Thanks again for anyone who takes the time to read and answer.
1) Your work experience is not directly relevant to this career path. They're looking for someone who has done that type of consulting before, has worked in industry, or has the raw analytical skills and right pedigree 2) The big four S&O may recruit a little further down market. I've seen some go to schools like SMU, Gtown, Texas, Notre Dame, etc. 3) Easiest path may be to get yourself on a large account that includes both S&O work as well as risk. Build an internal network on the account team through social events, helping with BD, etc. Try to convince the S&O partners to bring you over on a trial basis.
What level are you at your current Big 4? @Johnny Fontane is correct - the work you are currently doing isn't directly relevant, but it does give you a solid set of consulting soft skills.
Also echo the internal (and external) networking sentiment. Make yourself visible, your intentions known, and definitely make sure you are still doing stellar work in the risk space. If you're still an associate and do all of these things, you will put yourself in a really good situation.
Search around this forum - there are a few threads here about folks who have made similar transitions.
Thanks for the solid advice, guys. I'm still an associate. What are your opinions on going into a 10-20 ranked MBA, if I'm unable to make a lateral switch to something within my own firm? Will it get the job done, or will I still need that directly related prior work experience?
Fuqua level schools do great for Deloitte recruiting, but the higher ranked the school the better of course. If you want a decent shot at Deloitte level strategy and operations, you really need Top 14 (UCLA is probably the cut off point). You get a handful of people getting offers from schools ranked 15-20, but its much harder/rarer.
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