Hello everyone,

I am currently a student, about to complete a dual bachelor's and master's degree in accounting at a large and well-regarded public university. Like most people in the program, I have decided to go into audit at one of the Big Four accounting firms after graduation. I have accepted an offer from the New York office (non-financial services clients) and plan to pass the CPA and CMA exams before starting full-time. My long-term goal is to become a CFO (or a similar senior management position, such as VP or General Manager) in the future. I chose Big Four audit because I believe it is a good way to build my resume, gain credibility in the business world, and complete certifications while building a network.

In my view, staying in audit for the long term is not a wise move, and I am quite sure that although the partner path can be lucrative, it is not what I truly want. Ideally, I would like to leave the firm in 3 to 6 years when exciting opportunities arise. I understand the various experiences that typically develop a qualified CFO (such as financial control, FP&A, investor relations, etc.), but I am not sure how to gain these diverse experiences while also advancing into management and leading teams.

How would you all plan this? Should I first work my way up to a relatively senior position in accounting and financial control, and then broaden my scope, or should I move directly to FP&A after audit? Also, is it advisable to stay at the firm until manager level? What are your thoughts on in-person or online MBAs?

Any advice on how to maximize my chances of becoming a CFO or similar position at a large company in the future would be greatly appreciated!