What career options would a transaction services ACA qualified Big 4 candidate have in the job market? Is a move to private equity/fund management a possibility?
A senior consultant at WH Marks Sattin replied
In previous years there were a number of possibilities for newly qualified ACAs within Corporate Finance and Private Equity. In fact, many years ago our Front Office team here at WH Marks Sattin was started to do just that - moving the best ACAs into M&A, Equity Research and Private Equity roles. Unfortunately, during the past 18 months similar opportunities for ACAs have all but dried up due to there being fewer roles and more available candidates with experience in these areas in the market.
However, over the past month or so, we've seen requests for ACA qualified candidates from some of the corporate finance boutiques but these are only open for the very best ACAs. Clients know it's still a buyer's market so are only asking to see the strongest ACA candidates meaning that exceptional academics first time passes and experience in corporate finance (preferably) or transaction services teams at the top firms are a must to even secure an interview.
Having qualified in Transaction Services in the Big 4 you certainly stand a chance of securing interviews for these roles, but we would need to review your full background before giving more detailed feedback as competition is extremely tough. We've found that roles in Private Equity or Fund Management are currently not open to newly qualified ACAs but a move into a good corporate finance boutique or one of the banks would give you a better chance of moving to the buy side once hiring in these areas picks up.
All the best
WH Marks Sattin
If you are an exam qualified, about to qualify, or a recently qualified CA or ACA exploring your career options and need some frank advice, why not come along to our ACA career evening in October ? Contact us at acacareerevening.uk@whmarkssattin.com for more information.
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