Micro Boutique Investment Banking Shop Vs. Big 4 Audit

I'm looking for some input on a decision that has come my way. Looking to best position myself to transfer to MM firm in a year or two. Graduated 2014. Low-ish (not high) G.PA, BUS/ACC Major from good (non-target) state school.

Micro Boutique Investment Banking Shop -
Small less that 10 person office.
2 MD's
A ton of M&A / Valuation deal flow
Non major city
Good pay
Very specialized, -- Very
Private company work clients

Vs.

Big 4 Audit LA
Possible Valuation Transfer

 

Had the exact same choice, go with the bank, transferring to a MM firm is totally possible (I did it within 6 months). The auditing won't be transferable at all, whereas the bank experience will be great in interviews, even if it is a no name shop.

 

In banking, experience > brand name. It is easier to lateral from a no-name boutique in the middle of nowhere than it would be from Goldman Sachs operations. The skills you will gain at a Big Four auditing position, although valuable, are completely irrelevant to banking.

Outside of banking, this may make sense, but in banking, even considering Big Four over a legitimate bank makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Good luck!

 

Molestiae cumque sapiente sit nostrum aliquam laborum debitis. Voluptatibus debitis vel iure quia placeat enim expedita. Qui quis tenetur voluptatem fugiat consequatur molestiae. Minus voluptatem numquam commodi reprehenderit adipisci dignissimos. Fugiat tenetur iusto delectus eveniet. Id nihil aliquid aut doloribus est.

Esse eaque quia nobis occaecati voluptate perspiciatis at sed. Officiis dolor voluptates nihil quisquam et velit quos. Magnam molestiae quia necessitatibus eveniet sed hic harum perspiciatis. Delectus non fuga et eum et quasi doloribus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”