Big Four to IB in todays market

Looking for some advice for the potential move from auditing to IB

Let me preface by saying i enjoy my team and the area of my client I work just wish the work wa slightly more fulfilling. I work on FS client in the northeast working on their IB business and it has been super interesting to me. I have been trying for a couple months now to try to do some additional research learning about the space and trying to reach out to connections i have in the space to chat and maybe start building out my network.


Would love to hear the communities thoughts / opinions on how someone could make the move? I know it is not a great time to be trying to switch and have read 2025 may be the best time but wanted some feedback on how to start planning. Thanks!

 
Most Helpful

A few thoughts:

I’d try to switch to your firms’ valuation team and try to work on as many transaction-related work-streams as possible (i.e., purchase price allocations, fairness opinions, etc.). Even if you don’t fully transfer, working there on a project or two can be beneficial to talk through an interview. In addition, I’d get prepped sooner rather than later in case a coffee chat pops up (get your story well rehearsed / know at least the basic technical questions).

I wouldn’t necessarily try to time it based on market conditions given you never know when a firm needs to bring someone in and that might be your chance. The sooner you switch, the sooner you start building your IB experience (meaning - whether you’re an analyst 2 or a senior 3 at a Big 4, you might still be brought in as an analyst, so you might as well do that as early in your career as you can).

Down the road, if you feel you’re still stuck and still want to make the move to IB, keep in mind the possibility of pursuing an MBA to get channeled in through that recruiting process.

Best of luck!

 

Corrupti voluptate eveniet sapiente voluptatibus. Et exercitationem tempore quae nulla eos quae voluptatum. Architecto debitis quis possimus cupiditate doloremque explicabo quaerat fugiat. Assumenda deleniti est sit est esse. Consequatur beatae corrupti recusandae iure corporis sed consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”