Bit of background to me. I’m a qualified accountant with a Big 4 background in banking audit. I’ve worked recently at a global bank in the back office doing product control type work, but after having passed my CFA level 2 I’m even more determined now to make a move in the right direction.
My aim is to get into PE, corp finance or an M&A Ibank role - but trying to find the best strategy as its not looking likely I’ll be able to make the move directly.
Was thinking of moving back to BIg 4 but there are several teams i.e. restructuring, Transaction Services or Valuations teams. I actually have a valuations role interview coming up at a Big 4 firm but I just want to be sure it’s the right stepping stone or if there is limited value in this role if i want to get into my chosen area and I should focus more on the deals/due diligence side? Is Transactions Services my best bet or is Valuations still a good opportunity? The views are conflciting on this forum.
I would like to know if I should attend this interview or maybe keep searching for TS roles?
Thank you so much, appreciate all thoughts and even better - personal experiences
Well I’m already a CA and next year hopefully get to add CFA. I’m not sure how much value an addtional MBA would bring? Things could be different in the US however
Quite a few big 4 val guys go on to IBD. One of my good friends did it.
I personally went from audit --> consulting --> PE
But, that’s not to say you won’t have a chance from TS. One of my old bosses in audit went to Google as an M&A Analyst after only 6 months in TS.
Key caveat: networking is essential if you’re going to get into IBD/PE as an experienced hire (i.e. not straightout of undergrad/MBA). A friend who works/worked at the bank will have to recommend you. If you don’t have those kind of connections, then get your MBA.
Because I’m never mathematical enough to be a trader, nor do I want to be stuck in the back office of a bank licking trader ass for the rest of my life. I want to be in a front office, client facing role and I feel that with my accounting/fundamentals analysis skills as a CA + CFA Level 2 I’ll have a much better shot in becoming a PE or IBD associate. The work also sounds like a lot more fun than what I am doing now?