[CPAfit]

Hello fellow Ninjas.

I would like to get your advice on how a fellow Ninja CPA might be able to switch from accounting to business consultancy (accenture, Mckinsey, etc.). Currently I work in private industry (automotive) and have already passed 3/4 of my CPA exams. I plan to take the final part of my exam (AUD) in Q1 of 2016 and want to move out of accounting right after. I know a lot people would feel that I should stay in accounting as it would give me an advantage especially after getting a CPA, but I feel this is not the right field for me as I find the work mostly boring and redundant. I have considered moving into public accounting and that will be my plan B in case the consultancy thing doesn’t work out.

There are a couple of openings in good consultancy firms in the country I live in (international CPA candidate). Now I seek the advice of my fellow Ninjas on how I might be able to get into this field. I will be applying to entry/analyst level positions and would like to know what things I should focus in my CV that will help me stand out as compared to other candidates. Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

HIYA!

[Last Chance CPA]

Hi Zubairs. I come from management consulting (IT) and completed my CPA exams earlier this year (no accounting exp). Big 4 is actually a great place to land if you want to get into management consulting. Deloitte is fast growing in this field, KPMG wants to double by 20 something, and PWC/E&Y are also great options.

I worked at Booz Allen Hamilton and then KPMG, and I got great exposure to high level IT consulting. I would look at job descriptions within consulting and tailor your resume as such. You may need an MBA though, unless you plan to leverage your CPA into a consulting role, which is my plan. I thought the CPA would open up doors into management consulting within finance/accounting, but no luck so far.

Accenture is a great option for consulting, and I am looking at them as well. The MBBs – McKinsey, Bain, and BCG mostly hire top level MBA grads, and primarily young people. Your best bet is Accenture, Big 4…unless you know someone at the MBBs…

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[CPAfit]

@last chance thank you very much for your feedback, I got some feedback from some of my friends who currently working in Big 4 and consultancy firms and I am currently working on my CV and making some changes. I know Mckinsey is very tough given my situation and I would really consider myself lucky to even score an interview. I agree with you on how the Big 4 are moving into the consultancy and PWC acquiring strategy& has opened up some opportunities as well in my region. Let's see how things will turn out and I will try to post an update if I can score something.

[Author]

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