[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

I accepted a job about a few months ago with Bank of America doing Internal Audit through their Corporate Audit Analyst 2 year development program and I will be starting in June after I graduate in a few months. While I was initially excited for the opportunity to delve in to a business as a whole, after reading more and more about internal audit I am concerned I made a big mistake. I was led to believe that Internal Audit was a great pipeline to many areas in a business within a certain company (particularly corporate finance/industry since my degree is in Finance from University of Texas at Austin). Apparently that wasn’t the case since Internal Audit is seen as an exit opportunity for auditors. Now I am seriously thinking I made the wrong choice since possibility of a pigeonhole is very very possible and I don’t want that to happen!

My goal is to transition to corporate finance at a Fortune 500 company after the program is over at Bank of America. Honestly, how difficult would it be to lateral after the program was over to a Fortune 500 in their finance department (i.e: GE, Boeing, or even Bank of America)? Would internal audit experience be seen as valuable and relevant to corporate finance positions at Fortune 500 companies? Or will it be seen as useless experience therefore leaving me stuck in internal audit forever?

I would greatly appreciate feedback and guidance

[TNCPA16]

Yes, definitely. I was able to get interviews with public firms after 2 years or so in internal audit…but I decided I liked the good life in IA 🙂

[Anonymous]

That's good to know.. If i decide I don't like audit do I pretty much have to start over at the bottom or could I transition into a Sr. position in Tax?

[ruggercpa2b]

You can't start as a senior in tax if you have zero tax experience. I think you need to stop focusing on all the negatives and actually remember the positives of why you accepted this job to begin with. Going in with an already negative mindset can make what could be the best job ever the worst. I would say within 3 to 6 months you will know if this is for you or not. And if you don't like audit then you can switch to something else after a year. I think Fuzyfro gave the best advice.

You will do great! There are so many people looking for jobs and would kill to be in your position right now. Enjoy it.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Author]

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