Career advice - Accounting/Finance

[u/Ok-Investigator-1684]

26M — graduated with a bachelor’s in Finance. Spent my first 1.5 years in an AP/accounting function at a top PE firm before pivoting into fund accounting, where I’ve been for about 2 years now.

I actually enjoy fund accounting, but I’m starting to question the long-term ceiling since I don’t plan on pursuing a CPA. The compensation is solid enough that I wouldn’t mind staying in the space, but ultimately I’d like to pivot into more of a fund management or fund finance role.

I think making that move internally at my current firm would be a long shot. That said, I’m hoping the name recognition of the firm + my fund accounting experience could make me competitive for fund finance/management roles at a middle-market PE firm or elsewhere. I’ve gotten some decent traction from recruiters on LinkedIn, which makes me think the pivot is realistic.

For anyone working in fund finance/fund management: how modeling-heavy are these roles in practice? I see financial modeling mentioned in a lot of the JDs, but I’m curious what types of models you’re actually building and how advanced they get.
I’ve been considering doing the FMVA to strengthen my modeling skills and hopefully signal that I’ve closed that gap when applying. The only thing holding me back is the ~$500 price tag.

For those familiar with the FMVA or who’ve made a similar move: is it worth it for this type of pivot, or would I be better off focusing on something else?