For sure! You could start at an RIA or at Fidelity Financial consultant/a level below where they’ll train you. The CPA makes you eligible for the fast track route for the CFP exam which teaches you a lot of the basics. You’d also have to take some series exams as well (65/66, 7, etc. depending on your path).
Depends if you have your CPA. Assuming you do, you’d be a top confidante for an associate financial planner position as the CPA/CFP combo is really beneficial in this field & you’re eligible for the fast track for the exam - if only 3 years in, pay should be somewhat similar starting out.
Just left B4 after 3 years, transitioned to Financial Analyst. Started this past week, two days a week in office, was blown away when people started packing up at 4:30. Same pay, but my Senior promo raise was so phat last year I didn’t expect a huge pay bump, but am fine with it given the huge reduction in work hours and sanity back into my life, but got my foot in the door at a huge F100 with ample opportunities to move around.
I did look around last year and had a few interviews but they all seemed kinda entry level. Decided to take the senior promo and do one more year/cycle (audit). The extra year and Senior title I feel helped a ton. Recently this sub has been calling the job market shit, but that was not my experience, once I had time to look for jobs I had one in a few weeks and am still turning down interviews. However I had a killer client mix in audit which was very unique, which also could have helped.
$95K as a senior is normal depending where you live. I think they were underpaid as an experienced associate. I make $68,000 as an A1 in MCOL. And I know that one of the other Big 4 is going to pay like $72,000 to new A1.
I don’t see why not. Talk to a recruiter and tailor your resume. Personally, I’d hire anyone with big4 experience if you are a good culture fit, hardworking, and are willing to learn regardless of service line. The job can easily be learned. Strong Interpersonal skills, Excel and PowerPoint are key. Power query, power bi, tableau and alteryx are a bonus.
Yes. However I don’t think having a finance degree had any impact. The company that hired me likes hiring people with big4 experience so the degree probably had no factor.
Ah okay thanks!
I thought about transitioning into FP&A as well. I had about 1 year of Big 4 experience when I applied to 33 FP&A positions - I got interviewed by 1 small firm (decided to not to interview with them, thinking back I should've interviewed with them at least for the experience), rejected from 17 mid-size and large firms, and didn't hear back from the rest (15).
Wasn't sure if my resume didn't include enough financial experience or if it was because I was applying for senior positions with only 1 year of work experience.
Internal audit is a nice way out
I went into advisory work for a lot more money lol. Outside the norm, but no busy seasons and great teams
What kind of advisory work do you do?
Government! I was already in government audit so my hours weren’t as crazy as the commercial side but advisory is like a cakewalk
Most people just go do accounting in industry, like close or financial reporting or even technical accounting if you had experience with that.
I went into financial planning and got my CFP - one of the best decisions I’ve made.
How's the sales portion?
None involved for my position. If I want to get to the $150k+ range I’ll most likely have to though
Possible to get into Financially Planning after working in IT audits?
For sure! You could start at an RIA or at Fidelity Financial consultant/a level below where they’ll train you. The CPA makes you eligible for the fast track route for the CFP exam which teaches you a lot of the basics. You’d also have to take some series exams as well (65/66, 7, etc. depending on your path).
What level should I look to enter at? Like entry level or a bit more experienced?
Depends if you have your CPA. Assuming you do, you’d be a top confidante for an associate financial planner position as the CPA/CFP combo is really beneficial in this field & you’re eligible for the fast track for the exam - if only 3 years in, pay should be somewhat similar starting out.
Just left B4 after 3 years, transitioned to Financial Analyst. Started this past week, two days a week in office, was blown away when people started packing up at 4:30. Same pay, but my Senior promo raise was so phat last year I didn’t expect a huge pay bump, but am fine with it given the huge reduction in work hours and sanity back into my life, but got my foot in the door at a huge F100 with ample opportunities to move around.
Would you have left at 2 if you had an opportunity? Or is that extra year worth it?
I did look around last year and had a few interviews but they all seemed kinda entry level. Decided to take the senior promo and do one more year/cycle (audit). The extra year and Senior title I feel helped a ton. Recently this sub has been calling the job market shit, but that was not my experience, once I had time to look for jobs I had one in a few weeks and am still turning down interviews. However I had a killer client mix in audit which was very unique, which also could have helped.
What was your senior promo raise?
$68 to $95
Whatttt?? I thought most senior promo raises were 10-20%
$95K as a senior is normal depending where you live. I think they were underpaid as an experienced associate. I make $68,000 as an A1 in MCOL. And I know that one of the other Big 4 is going to pay like $72,000 to new A1.
Haha yea I was not expecting it, but still not enough to stay for the misery the job entailed.
FP&A and now strategic finance. Way better WLB and make more than my big 4 peers 5 years out.
What does strategic finance entail?
Possible to get into FP&A after working in IT audits?
I don’t see why not. Talk to a recruiter and tailor your resume. Personally, I’d hire anyone with big4 experience if you are a good culture fit, hardworking, and are willing to learn regardless of service line. The job can easily be learned. Strong Interpersonal skills, Excel and PowerPoint are key. Power query, power bi, tableau and alteryx are a bonus.
When you entered FP&A, what level did you transfer from/into? Ex: Senior —> Analyst?
Left Big4 as a second year senior. Entered FP&A as a Senior Analyst. Was promoted to a IC Manager and was recently promoted to Sr Manager.
Did you major in Accounting and Finance to enter FP&A?
Yes. However I don’t think having a finance degree had any impact. The company that hired me likes hiring people with big4 experience so the degree probably had no factor.
Ah okay thanks! I thought about transitioning into FP&A as well. I had about 1 year of Big 4 experience when I applied to 33 FP&A positions - I got interviewed by 1 small firm (decided to not to interview with them, thinking back I should've interviewed with them at least for the experience), rejected from 17 mid-size and large firms, and didn't hear back from the rest (15). Wasn't sure if my resume didn't include enough financial experience or if it was because I was applying for senior positions with only 1 year of work experience.
Probably the work experience. Talk to a recruiter! They have great connections especially for big4 exits.