Hello Jun Xiang,

I think your background is excellent for a career in equity research. Very few research analysts or portfolio managers have a deep grasp of accounting. Here is a post I wrote entitled "Top 5 Accounting Mistakes Analysts Make" https://blogs.stage.cfainstitute.org/investor/2015/05/12/the-top-five-a… [https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2015/05/12/the-top-five-account…] where I discuss this in some detail. Also, just last week I was the moderator for a panel on misleading accounting at the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA). Before we started I asked the audience of experience investment professionals how many felt they were excellent at accounting, and no one raised their hands. Your background as an auditor opens you up for an extended career as a specialist. In order to really increase your chances I would highly encourage you to attain your CFA charter, or a graduate business degree. This is an unbeatable combination. Then when you are marketing your candidacy I highly recommend that you feature your accounting background and your understanding of how financial statements may be manipulated.

As for getting pigeonholed...I think that is unlikely given that your background as an auditor is a perennially important skill set.

Best wishes for success!

Jason