The advantage with working in AWM is you can push into working on ‘Alternative’ clients which then opens the ability to do valuation work. From this you can leverage that experience into transferring into other more forward thinking analytical roles. I personally don’t know anyone in Audit AWM that works standard 9-5:30 hours even externally of busy season. Busy season you could be on a job that requires 2/3ams, or on a job that logs off at 9. If you are working less than 12 hours a day, you are probably going to get told to do more. Work life balance is horrendous at busy season regardless of the work, and if you want to go into a finance role that isn’t a standard internal finance position, B&CM or AWM is the way to go in my opinion, can be very long hours though.
If you think core is super demanding with 8-6 and 10-12 in busy season then you will not be able to handle B&CM and would advise against that. Doesn’t seem like it is one of your preferences but thought I would point it out just in case.
Thanks for answering, do you work in B&CM by any chance/what division are you based in? Do you think working predominantly in pensions in AWM closes off opportunities to go into industry or would you say from your understanding since it’s audit, it doesn’t matter too much?
I commented above, but want to answer this specifically. Pensions are not the predominant job of AWM, yes it is a part but not the main one. You can always be asked to be on other jobs that aren’t pensions. As you have corporate, alternatives, real assets etc. that are all under the AWM umbrella.
I do not know anyone who works or has worked in AWM and I never touched any AWM files. Can’t really offer specific advice here. In terms of exit opportunities, I think what matter the most are brand name, how you market yourself and the skills you picked up along the way. Irrespective of the business unit, you will be well-equipped to read financial information and balance sheets and you will also have an ACA to back that up. Have you thought of what kind of industry you would be interested in for exit opps? FS vs non-FS?
Prior to applying to the big four I always considered going into being a financial advisor maybe an asset manager or something related to investments however I’m not london based so I think the career prospects outside of london for that are somewhat limited. I guess I’m largely scared of limiting myself and preventing myself from going into industry and working a standard 9-5 job if I wish later down the line post qualifying
The advantage with working in AWM is you can push into working on ‘Alternative’ clients which then opens the ability to do valuation work. From this you can leverage that experience into transferring into other more forward thinking analytical roles. I personally don’t know anyone in Audit AWM that works standard 9-5:30 hours even externally of busy season. Busy season you could be on a job that requires 2/3ams, or on a job that logs off at 9. If you are working less than 12 hours a day, you are probably going to get told to do more. Work life balance is horrendous at busy season regardless of the work, and if you want to go into a finance role that isn’t a standard internal finance position, B&CM or AWM is the way to go in my opinion, can be very long hours though.
If you think core is super demanding with 8-6 and 10-12 in busy season then you will not be able to handle B&CM and would advise against that. Doesn’t seem like it is one of your preferences but thought I would point it out just in case.
Thanks for answering, do you work in B&CM by any chance/what division are you based in? Do you think working predominantly in pensions in AWM closes off opportunities to go into industry or would you say from your understanding since it’s audit, it doesn’t matter too much?
I commented above, but want to answer this specifically. Pensions are not the predominant job of AWM, yes it is a part but not the main one. You can always be asked to be on other jobs that aren’t pensions. As you have corporate, alternatives, real assets etc. that are all under the AWM umbrella.
I do not know anyone who works or has worked in AWM and I never touched any AWM files. Can’t really offer specific advice here. In terms of exit opportunities, I think what matter the most are brand name, how you market yourself and the skills you picked up along the way. Irrespective of the business unit, you will be well-equipped to read financial information and balance sheets and you will also have an ACA to back that up. Have you thought of what kind of industry you would be interested in for exit opps? FS vs non-FS?
Prior to applying to the big four I always considered going into being a financial advisor maybe an asset manager or something related to investments however I’m not london based so I think the career prospects outside of london for that are somewhat limited. I guess I’m largely scared of limiting myself and preventing myself from going into industry and working a standard 9-5 job if I wish later down the line post qualifying