FDD to MM IB Advice

Greetings, 

Looking for some advice on my next steps. I am starting a role in FDD at MM public accounting firm in a couple months. I'm a non-target and I interned with a big 4 in audit last summer but opted for a full-time role in FDD at large MM Firm (Grant Thornton / RSM)  to gain some transactions experience. My vision is to transition to MM IB within a year or two of starting in FDD. Right now I am networking, reading books on banking / finance, and doing contract accounting work to stay afloat financially. 

So here's my question, If you were interviewing me for a banking role, how large of a red flag would it be if I did not have my CPA? I've seen posts on different forums stating an accounting background with no CPA can be problematic (interviewers thinking you weren't smart enough to pass / lazy yadda yadda). Any opinions? 

The way I see it I don't want to spend $2500 and 300 hours studying boring ass material just to hopefully not even be an accountant. But at the same time, if it was going to detrimental for my chances at IB I guess I'd give it a shot. Just wanted to pick a few brains see what others had to say. 

Thanks, feel free to dunk on me for being an accounting dork