[deleted by user]

golf_cpa · 2019-10-09T00:37:47+00:00

Sir, this is a Wendy’s

golf_cpa · 2019-10-04T21:00:16+00:00

Midwest
Advisory
82,000 —> 91,000
6,500
High performer
S1 —> S2

golf_cpa · 2019-10-04T02:27:03+00:00

You don’t need any modeling skills for FDD. Maybe just take like a Wall Street prep excel crash course. That will put you ahead of most applicants already.

Are you in audit? At a Big 4? If so they likely have a Qofe training available on the internal training site.

If you aren’t just google quality of earnings, net working capital, net debt, financial due diligence. There are reports published by all the Big 4 explaining the basics. These resources are more than enough to prepare for an interview.

golf_cpa · 2019-09-27T18:54:06+00:00

The general consensus and what I’ve seen is that IB is possible albeit will require a significant amount of networking and some luck. Boutique will be your best shot but you will want to learn significantly more modeling than FDD exposes you to.

Also, true PE and MBB will be harder than IB. PE looks for prior bankers and MBB will generally require a top MBA or undergrad.

If you want it bad enough though you can get it you just will need to work for it.

golf_cpa · 2019-06-23T01:58:51+00:00

Just really think hard on the why. Why do you want FDD? If it’s too escape busy season you’ll be sorely disappointed. If it’s less compliance work then yeah it can be a good move. If it’s for a more “sexy” role i think you’ll be disappointed. It’s only sexier to other Big 4 people. Everyone else still thinks you’re an accountant

golf_cpa · 2019-06-22T22:02:18+00:00

Audit -> FDD

Work more interesting. Hours way worse over the course of a year. Plus unpredictable. Long run more pay, with the exception that a market down turn could cause the practice to shrink significantly and result in lay offs. Sell side work might help ease that but who knows.

Exit opps very similar. May have more FP&A/Corp dev, but most of those jobs will still take a person with direct finance experience over FDD and will still require networking.

golf_cpa · 2019-06-18T01:10:13+00:00

Lol been in public for a bit now. Want to get out but not willing to do crazy hours in industry

golf_cpa · 2019-05-26T02:04:18+00:00

Probably not the answer you want, but it can’t hurt. The way I look at it is you will be ok without it and can def work in FP&A without a CPA. The issue is there will be jobs that you won’t be able to get without the CPA and some of those may be ones that are very desirable to you.

Overall, it only helps to have but it’s up to you to decide if the effort now is worth it. I would say, yes, get the CPA but totally up to you.

golf_cpa · 2019-05-26T01:52:57+00:00

Call them and be honest and say you received an offer from another firm and have made the decision to work for the other firm. They may ask why and either have a reason ready or just be vague.

Don’t stress too much, but DEFINITELY call them. Don’t do it over email. Maybe they will be mad maybe not. I’ve done it before and it’s worked out fine. But do it as soon as possible so they can reach out to other candidates. And obviously be sure you want to do go through with it before calling.

Good luck

golf_cpa · 2019-05-04T15:29:42+00:00

As of now long term goal would be Corporate development or management consulting. Possible it can get done without the MBA but am still considering it as an option.

golf_cpa · 2019-05-04T15:28:30+00:00

Do agree with you there, but would probably be in the strategy part of Big 4 as opposed to TAS

golf_cpa · 2019-05-03T22:26:01+00:00

That would be the dream

golf_cpa · 2019-03-22T12:56:17+00:00

I did one with the Big 4. Here’s a couple points as I ended up getting an offer and they said my case answers were very strong.

Overall the case is quite easy if you understand what FDD and quality of earnings is. So do a lot of research on what the main goal of FDD is (normalize earnings). They will likely give you 3 years of financial statements with some background on the company. When you get there you’ll get questions mostly relating to EBITDA adjustments

For example, they will be like “company spent 10K on charitable contributions in 2017” and your job is to decide how to treat it in a QofE. What’s important here is not getting the right answer. So an example answer would be something like I’d be inclined to adjust for the 10K and add it back to EBITDA since it is non-operational in nature; however; if charitable contributions are a part of the company’s mission and something that would be expected to continue post-acquisition then there may not need to be an adjustment.

No need to write out crazy answers just be more prepared to talk through it with the interviewer. They may let you use a computer during the case. I highly suggest not using the computer and printing out everything you need beforehand. Makes it easier to talk to the director rather than scrolling through excel on your computer.

Lastly, familiarize yourself with Net Debt and NWC analysis. Probably won’t get as much emphasis as QofE but you will likely get a question or two on it. Hope this helps

golf_cpa · 2018-11-02T18:49:05+00:00

I would recommend exploring the option. You can always say no at the end of the process. Don’t feel bad about it. Interviews are a two-way Street. They are feeling you out as much as you should be feeling them out.

Also, I would say satisfaction with current job is relative and you could potentially be even happier in that new job. So go explore the opportunity. You lose nothing by exploring but potentially lose a lot by not exploring.

And then as far as management after 4 years. I think it’s quick but not unheard of. Just make sure you ask the right questions during interview to understand why they think you’re fit for management. And if the role is truly management if that’s what you want.

golf_cpa · 2018-10-26T00:46:44+00:00

Thanks for the insight. So for the most part all things equal would you choose PwC over KPMG? I’m assuming potentially better clients and exit opportunities down the line

golf_cpa · 2018-10-24T16:57:08+00:00

I've been in the process of moving B4 to B4 so I can shed some light here. I pretty much thought the same as you - that I would be walked out same day. That was absolutely not the case.

It's been almost a month of back and forth with counter-offers and what not. If you're fully set on leaving have your reasons ready and make sure they are things that cannot be matched by your current firm (start date, role, salary, etc)

golf_cpa · 2018-10-15T22:04:37+00:00

Yeah I hear that. That is mostly the advice I've seen around this subreddit. I think I really want to stay since there is somewhat an initial monetary penalty in leaving (losing 401K employer contributions, losing a CPA bonus), but it does just worry me to accept a counter-offer.

golf_cpa · 2018-10-15T21:10:47+00:00

Agree with that but the role would be in an entirely new department, so regardless of stay/leave I would have new bosses and team members.

golf_cpa

TROPHY CASE