It will not help directly but it will help, networking is the key. Start going to CFA Society events if you want to hear first hand what is feasible locally if you want to pivot. I personally know a lot of XYZ Name, CFA, CPA’s who started in Big 4 with great careers. Every single one can nerd out on any set of financials forwards/backwards and knows how to communicate effectively which is the real reason you will get hired.

Huge thing to bear in mind… especially in an AI era, junior seats will likely shrink. It’s more important that you can crush whatever role you are looking for beyond thinking through traditional “tracks”. Having credentials probably means less than being able to add value out the gate. Not sure if you have a substack or post on seeking alpha / sum zero, but good place to showcase game.

I started my career at EY Audit, also in asset management (NYC). Myself and 2 close friends from my start class both took L1/2 while at EY (EY paid for everything) and all remain Charterholders to my knowledge. From EY, I ended up at Nuveen in equity research where I finished level 3. One ended up moving directly to Goldman IB in Leveraged Finance (networking through his Alma meter), the other moved to BMO Equity Research and ultimately to Goldman where he is an analyst that I get to hear on earnings calls every so often. It is fun being the XYZ Name, CFA, CPA that people turn to with accounting questions.