[Utsav Hirani]

Hey, I'm a Chartered Accountant working for a Big 4 in a Assurance Services since 2 years now. I now want to join a PE Fund/ Investment Role. My experience is broadly into Statutory Audits as per IGAAP, One Financial Due Diligence and have worked on M&A Accounting at 2 of my clients. I felt that going in Audits will give me more sense of Business and the Financial Statements and a proper way to understand the same. However, I know feel that the experience is good enough and now its time to move on from Audits. I need some guidance on how can i beg the PE/Investment job and how should i make my CV.

Reply Appreciated.

[Sharon Chammah]

Making a transition into private equity is highly dependent on level of experience, the type of role you are seeking within a fund and the type of fund strategy. Typically, funds who hire Big 4 profiles look for transaction services or lead advisory backgrounds post qualification so you may want to consider moving into one of those teams for a year or so.

That said, a great way to get in front of PE professionals is simply to use your existing network ask for advice (not a job), approach those funds who already have team members with Big 4 backgrounds and offer to meet for coffee and listen to their story. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

[reneenws]

If holding an ACCA Prof Cert, shall we gain an CFA Prof Cert or Master in Finance to change from Audit Line to PE Line????

[Sharon Chammah]

Obtaining a CFA is certainly helpful (more so than a master’s) but the key thing here is gaining transaction experience. So moving from audit to a transaction services or lead advisory team is the best way to gain relevant experience and if you can do a CFA at the same time, all the better.