mba1986 wrote:
I recently began working at one of the Big 4 accounting firms as a tax accounting working on the financial industry and plan on getting my CPA within a year. I am interested in opening my own investment management/financial planning firm in the future after gaining experience and getting my MBA. I am interested in what career path I should take to get into a top MBA program - Harvard, Wharton.
My Profile:
GMAT - 690
GPA - 3.9 (Northeastern Univ.)
Just graduated from college in the past 6 months.
I feel staying in accounting will probably make it difficult to get into a top program but I feel getting my CPA and a strong base around financial stmts., the expereince, etc. will help me in the future. What would be the best career path to take following my time at this Big 4 firm to increase my chances of getting into a top school - financial analyst, entrepreneur (I could add on a financing business to a small business my family owns with fairly minimal risk), or should I stay in accounting? Also is my profile competitive to get into a Harvard or Wharton, and how long should I wait before applying? Thanks for any help you can give me!
You are correct that accounting can be a good foundation for a career in investment, but you need to start framing that building if you want to have a good chance at an elite b-school. so either you have to acquire responsibilities at the Big-4 that moves you beyond bean counting or you need to move closer to your ultimate goal by leaving the Big-4 firm. The best path? The one that gives you greatest satisfaction and growth opportunities. I don't think that I, given the small amount of information in a forum post, can really answer that question. But as you pursue your audits you are going to be exposed to different industries. Which ones attract you? What types of work satisfy you? What projects do you like the most? The answers to those question should guide you at that point in time when you feel you need to move on.
Good luck!
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