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F500 FP&A vs Project Contoller at Big4
 

plv's picture
(Chimp, 15
 
Points)
 on 11/19/12 at 10:16pm

I was wondering what you guys thought would be better for getting into the best MBA program possible. I currently am a project controller at the consulting arm of a big4, but I've also done an internship in FP&A at a global F500 before. I am wondering if I should go back to FP&A or not (I believe it would be very easy for me, I get messages on linkedin from recruiters all the time). I don't find either super exciting and would like to do something else post MBA.

One of the definite pros about the project controlling job for me is the Big4 name. Obviously there are big names in the F500 too (duh), but there are also a ton of F500 companies which most people have never heard of before. Another thing, I feel like it is easier to find yourself surrounded by incompetent people in industry jobs (yes even F500) versus in professional services. Of course there are also very good F500s out there (P&G, GE, etc).

For those that don't know, usually a project controller will be assigned to different projects and will look after a consulting project's financials from start to finish (reviewing contract before deal is signed by client - budgeting/forecasting - accurate revenue recognition at month-end - invoicing/collecting from client). You are dealing with mostly just billable hours and travel expenses, but some of these projects can get quite complex and can get up to $10M or more in size. You are not client facing but you interact a lot with directors/partners of the firm. It is seen as a back office role though.

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sayandarula's picture

stick to Big 4 dude. i've

O
(King Kong, 1,812
 
Points)
 on 11/19/12 at 10:30pm

stick to Big 4 dude. i've been working in fp&a at a reputable company for a few years, and this job seriously blows the big one at lower levels (work is pretty menial, spend most of my time gathering and presenting data as opposed to any "analysis"). not an especially good learning experience either... don't do it unless you get into some nice FDLP-like position.

oh, and "back-office" doesn't really apply outside of banking, so don't worry about either role coming off as so.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?

sayandarula's picture

question... is your title

O
(King Kong, 1,812
 
Points)
 on 11/19/12 at 10:31pm

question... is your title "Project Analyst"? i think i interviewed for something like that at Deloitte Consulting a few years back.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?

plv's picture

^Yes that is the same

(Chimp, 15
 
Points)
 on 11/19/12 at 10:43pm

^Yes that is the same position, but I am not at Deloitte. I think at Deloitte the project analysts charge billable hours for their work to the client, and travel to the client sites, but otherwise they do the same exact thing.

plv's picture

Any more opinions on this?

(Chimp, 15
 
Points)
 on 11/26/12 at 6:16pm

Any more opinions on this? Thanks

i hate audit's picture

im at a big4 in audit and my

O
(Baboon, 116
 
Points)
 on 12/22/12 at 10:37am

im at a big4 in audit and my advice to you is definitely leave. you are not in a client-facing role at your big4 firm so yeah you have the name, but not the experience ppl would assume when they hear that name (audit, tax, consulting). try to get in an FP&A role that is more analysis-based where you can pick up some useful skills like modeling. this will def open up a lot more options for you.

chimpout's picture

pretty sure there is nothing

 
Points)
 on 1/12/13 at 7:52pm

pretty sure there is nothing more menial than being an audit monkey

i hate audit's picture

chimpout: pretty sure there

O
(Baboon, 116
 
Points)
 on 1/13/13 at 1:50pm
chimpout:

pretty sure there is nothing more menial than being an audit monkey

audit gets a ton of hate on WSO and im certainly not a big fan of it either (see my name), but the position that OP described is essentially support staff for the audit team. i work on an audit engagement for a F100 company and we have a dedicated person on site with us who does the kind of work OP described. essentially the position deals with budgets for the engagement team, billing the client, ensuring the firm is getting paid on time, etc. the person who does this on my team works a 40 hour a week schedule, has no interaction with the client beyond following up on late payments, and limited exposure to the Partners on the team. for someone who is young and wants to progress in there career, i would highly suggest to move out of this position quickly.

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