Big 4 audit backgrounds don't just lead to internal audit and SEC reporting roles. 2) fp&a where I can gain an understanding the business side and talking to people from different departments which can help me move to the department I am interested in. With that I have two questions: Is the jump from IA --> lev fin or credit risk possible and how does a IA candidate fare with top MBA programs? I know the answer to what I want to do, but looking to see when the best time would be. referred by friends from college working at the bank) , but coming from a small state school, I assume you don't have many friends currently in banking, so I'm going to assume that's not possible. For what it's worth, I think someone who already has argueably the best core accounting experience one can obtain, branching out into something less accounting focused will really make you marketable in the long run. I'll be starting at a big 4 in audit and I wanted to see what kind of options would be available to me if I were to move to the transaction advisory after a couple years. My current role is 50% quantitative forecasting (unitized demand modeling, market event based forecasting) ect.. and 50% strategic decision analysis (really a lot of purely business based analysis, but with a financial view). Just out of curiosity, were you in audit at big4 previously or in TAS? I figure my experiences here will be good leverage into iBanking, but then again I'm posting here for some expert advice. Full disclosure: I made the switch from ops to Corp Dev so I'm biased. You'll likely get better access to executives and leadership and have the chance to do deals that get more visibility than a standard client facing role. Other than that congrats and yeah, don't look back. I'm finishing up my first year as an audit senior and going through the 'should I stay (until manager) or should I go' dilemma. F500? So if you want to work in Banking after a big 4 it is possible. - Less than 2 years: pretty much limitless exit opps. I want to make a move to investment banking and have two offers as a result of extensive networking efforts. Candidate B – This person left Big 4 Public Accounting after two busy seasons, completed their CPA and has spent the last two year in a hands-on role learning financial reporting, month-end close, and all the other tasks that you are looking for your Manager to manage. I'm actually in the exact same situation where I'm currently in pharma/tech but looking at FS. Find a good company where you'll have a supportive champion. I will be starting with big 4 in audit but have my heart in finance. Can anyone help me answer how an auditor like me can get into principal investment position? For exit opportunities, everyone uses recruiters to find exit ops (at least in NYC, they do). Go work in Auto. But it's a long, long haul of working long hours and being underpaid. The power of today’s new digital capabilities is vast and growing. 3) Almost everything I've heard about IA is similar to what Jake Flash mentioned. DANIEL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC . It is a combination of ACS (accounting consulting services) and CM (capital markets). An exit conference will be scheduled and held between the Internal Audit team and the auditee including management with the authority to implement corrective action and other appropriate personnel. This essentially is my goal. I went on weekend trips and met as many people as I could. I'd like to make the transition from Big 4 accounting to iBanking. On the other hand, if I tried to leave as a finance or FP&A manager, the job descriptions look like they are wanting people with industry experience. So, my question is, how realistic is a transition into IBD given the information above? I am becoming a senior associate (my 3rd year) at KPMG, and just started looking for a next step in finance industry. I did big 4 audit myself, and the accounting you will learn will not be applicable in any of these roles, because you will not have access to the general ledger, sub-ledgers, etc. You'll want to be very careful when interviewing to determine how a company views its FP&A staff. Probably not your best bet if you want to avoid becoming a specialist accountant, I'd stick with audit if that's your other option, considered much more of a generalist role so easier to move later. It's also an extremely common path to do audit 3 yrs --> industry 2-3 yrs --> decent 8-15 ranked MBA --> whatever you find interesting. As an added benefit of IIA membership, the Center is supported by The IIA — the internal audit … I'm at Deloitte Consulting. So, my question is, how realistic is a transition into IBD given the information above? Thanks everyone for all of the comments - I truly appreciate it. I just wouldn't pin all of my hopes on TAS. The job is not really FP&A as I understand it. They spend 1-2 years in the big 4 and press the reset button in a different field. 7xEBITDA, thanks a lot for your help!! How can I switch from Big 4 auditing to IBD or PE? After a little study, I found principal investment most attractive since they seem to require some accounting specialty. I have no idea why my text got cut off, there was a break html command in my text for some reason. 3Y. - Senior Manager: most senior managers desire to become partner, but most don't and end up leaving for either manager jobs or VP/CFO at a tiny company. People leave for smaller CPA firms, niche financial consulting/advisory firms, etc. If you absolutely know you hate accounting and want to do finance, leaving at this time is a good idea. I plan to go to a top 20 MBA program in the next 2-3 years. What's the difference between advisory and TAS? Steve Nicholls Financial Services business leaders across the globe are consistently focused on six principle challenges in dealing with the impact of COVID-19. Not to mention you're a revenue generator so you aren't treated like a second class citizen like you would be in the back office of a company in industry. I interview well and am personable - I went on nine interviews (superdays, on campus, in office, etc.) My first day is in two weeks but I want to be moved in mid next week. Corporate development sounds a hell of a lot more interesting then being a career accountant that's for sure, but I've never worked finance. Work for another year, get into a top MBA program and graduate with a stellar GPA. I have a major and masters in accounting and I went to a good, but not target, business school. Once I became 100% committed, I built up some great momentum with banks across the spectrum (boutique to BB). I feel that I may be overlooked for advisory positions because my resume screams audit and Big4 advisory wouldn't understand why a CPA fresh out of school would want to do something that doesn't require a CPA. I moved to TAS from audit being senior associate. Thanks for asking this because I have a similar since I am in somewhat of the same position! That said, it's not impossible, although it will be tough for you. An MBA is still on my radar down the line as well, and I would assume this position is more attractive to b-schools than Big 4 but at what cost?