Ben wrote:
Hello Doctor,
Like many posts previously, I am an auditor (financial services) at a big 4 (2 years exp) and have almost completed my ACA. I am looking to move into corporate finance in the future and was wondering which of the following moves would be most helpful: -
A move to insolvency
A move to a business analyst role
Undertaking a CFA
Undertaking a masters of applied finance.
Cheers
Ben
An associate director at WH Marks Sattin replied:
Ben,
Great news that you are being proactive and considering your alternatives before it's too late. As you've clearly established, it is harder to move into corporate finance as a newly qualified ACA now than in previous years. If you have the opportunity to take a secondment in something that gives you valuations skills, then these will be the most applicable to M&A, therefore please explore business modelling or valuations if possible.
However, of the options you give, insolvency is the most 'in vogue' alternative at present. This will open doors for you into a DCM corporate finance career more easily than M&A, but restructuring advisory is certainly a growth area. The Business analyst route will perhaps be the most interesting, but anything that takes you away from transactions/deals tends to a challenge to come back from. As you already have a CA, a CFA is no added benefit as a stand alone alternative. They will however, demonstrate your interest in 'front office' activities and if you can complete this in conjunction with a move to insolvency then this could be the ideal compromise. A masters of applied finance would be challenging, but again is not needed in addition to your ACA - you've already demonstrated your technical competency.
WH Marks Sattin is holding an open evening for newly qualified ACAs on October 22nd at our offices from 6pm. Why not come along and speak to some consultants in more detail? Just send your CV and confirmation of attendance to acacareerevening.uk@whmarkssattin.com and we will send you an invitation.
Best of luck
WH Marks Sattin
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About the WH Marks Sattin Job Doctor
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Go on, ask our consultants some questions! If you want you can comment on our answers... We hope you find it useful!
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1 comment:
Hello,
I have got MBA degree ( not from UK)and have got around 6 years working expereince in Sales and Customer Services and a bit of research work as well. Recently moved to UK and now am planning to move my career towrds finance and accounts as it is hard to get a job in marketing without the english or US accent. I am 34 years old and now i am not sure what to do. Sometimes i think its better to do CFA sometimes i think about ACCA or CIMA. I am not sure what will be the job market due to the recent credit problems in future. I am planning to do my CFA level-1 in June 2009 with that i am looking for an Entery level oppertunity in one of the Financial secotrs. My future aim is to be a consultant in one of the better consultancy firms. Could you please guide me how to enter into the job market with all this expereince. I am even ready to work without pay for sometime to learn and explore. Please advise taking my age facotr also into consideration.
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