Big 4 Audit or FAP with a Major Bank

Hey All,

I am in the last year of my undergrad degree in accounting. I have a dilemma: go into Big 4 audit or apply to the Financial Analyst Program any major bank such as WF, Citi, Chase in commercial/corporate banking when I graduate in a year

Currently, I am on the accounting track, I have done a few summer leadership programs with Deloitte and PwC and am expecting a few internship offers from them when I graduate. I am questioning Big 4 because of low pay/long hours and perhaps exit ops are not as good as people say.

I am considering pursuing a FAP program when I gradate with my BA because I have previous underwriting experience 5 total which 3 where with a major cc company and perceive a career in commercial/corporate banking to have better pay and better hours with similar exit opps or career opportunities as accounting.

I am torn and need advice, your time is appreciated.

(edited for better understanding)

 

Yeah your post is extremely confusing. In short, go with WF if you're interested in commercial/corporate banking. I am familiar with the WF FAP program, so Lmk if you have Qs about that.

 

Yes sorry for all the confusion! I would shut down the thread and restart all over if I could.

I am in a 5 year accounting program as NYCstudent stated. So when I graduate with a BA, I can get an internship w/ Big 4 and I get a full-time offer after my internship. If so, I go back to earn my Master's in Accting while a full-time offer from a Big 4 waits for me OR when I graduate with my BA scrap the entire accounting route and try to get into commercial/corporate banking.

 

I was thinking Big 4 for 3-4 years then leaving at Senior Associate. I was hoping to specialize in auditing banks/financial services then leaving to industry to work in the accounting department working up to director of financial reporting or controller of a regional bank.

But I was concerned with very long hours at start and exit opps may not be as good in accounting as I previously thought.

OR consider a career in commercial banking and work up to a VP, or need something with better work/life balance. I have been working almost full-time with school full-time for years and I am getting burnout.

 
Teemo11:

I have no offers this summer. How it works in accounting is you get an internship offer after you graduate with your BA and an offer sits for you while you get your Masters in Acct.

Or when I graduate, should I apply to a FAP program?

Why don't you pursue both? If you end up with one or the other, then you have no tough decision to make. I would pick FAP, if that is what you are interested in.

 

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