Career Opportunities after experience in Deal/Financial Advisory Big4?

Gnomemad

I'm currently an undergraduate student interested in a career as a chartered accountant. I have been offered a graduate contract in Audit commencing in 2024 after completing an internship this summer.

However, I'm intrigued by Deal Advisory in the Big4, which I have been told by many working in Advisory and those who made the switch from audit that the work is far more interesting than audit. Some of the typical services in Deal Advisory offered by these practices are Transaction Services, Corporate Finance, Valuations and Restructuring. The appeal to me is that the work appears to be more varied and you also study to become a Chartered Accountant (ACA) during the program.

However, I have had little luck through research on what the exit opportunities in industry are after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in Deal Advisory. Does anyone have any input or thoughts on pursuing a graduate contract in Deal Advisory over Audit?

*Note: My original plan was to become a qualified Chartered Accountant through the Audit contract and then jump to industry, likely into a Financial Planning & Analysis role.

Would I be at a disadvantage over graduates with 3.5 years audit experience as a deal advisory associate? Or would deal advisory open doors to roles potentially not suitable for those with an audit background? It's worth noting that Deal Advisory and Audit go hand-in-hand. Many of the big4 such as KPMG put Deal Advisory grads into audit each year for busy season to gain a grasp of accounting fundamentals. I imagine 3-4 busy seasons would give ample audit experience from an employer's prospective or would I be be mistaken?

Any thoughts or comments appreciated!

Jim2007

The qualification is like a master degree, what people do after wards is a function of what they are interested in and the opportunities that arise during their career.

I'm retired now, but of the people I remember from my colleges at the end of our training contracts at a big four, people ended up working as: educators, public servants, a restaurateur, self-employed, a gambling casino owner, a musician, a sheep farmer, a ranch manager in Australia, various directorships in marketing, finance, insurance, banking etc... and so on.

The qualification is a very good one to have under your belt, where it will take you is up to you.

I ended up in Swiss banking and retired at 55.

Gnomemad

That’s a very diverse set of jobs!

Thank you for the advice on the qualification and what dictates where you go.