Two interviews approaching

First time poster. Always read the site to try and gain insight but never had a need to post before.

I have two interviews coming up, one with a Big Four accounting firm in their transaction/valuations group. The other is with Prudential Capital Group as an investment analyst (private placement debt). Both are in Chicago.

Any advice on the interviews, compensation, or which job would lead to better business school, general exit options? I am still too young to know for sure what I want to do long run (maybe business school), just want to have a solid basis for anything I do decide to pursue.

Also any insight into hours of the groups or general culture norms that should be considered would also be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Both are good. Big four positions will give you good exposure but with heavy focus on accounting. The prudential position seems to be a better choice if you want to go into lending, asset management or investment management, so more finance related. It's your pick on finance vs accounting. If you are undecided go with the better offer or better fit.

Do what you want not what you can!
 

Be aware of which which group in the Transaction Services group you;re in. thye have 3 groups within TS: Valuation, Capital Markets and Accoutning Advisory, and Financial due Diligence.If you want to go the finance/IB route, Valuations will give you the most relatable skills. Not sure about exit opps since I didnt talk to too many of the people there, but Ive heard some people were able to switch to IB and PE, but these were just a very few.

As for comp, in Chicago I think it was roughly around 55k from what I heard.

Hugo
 

Big four valuations will give you good exposure and skillsets to pursue a career both buyside and sellside. PCG is more on the lending side so the options are definetely narrower in terms of what you want to down the road. Also in terms of getting into a top 10 Bschool for MBA any big 4 brand name should be good enough. I would personally focus on Big 4 given that it is the TSV group. Good Luck !

 

I think prudential capital group will be a better choice as it is complete in to the business of finance and it will give good exposure to decision making capacity at higher rates because business is all about making correct decisions.

 

Few questions if anyone can speak to them....does anyone know the compensation at Prudential, a earlier poster indicated about $55k for valuations? At the Big Four firm, three years will mean typically you have just finished your first year as a Senior Associate, whereas the Prudential 3 year analyst program will have you as a Senior Analyst. Are the exit options brighter for one of the other? What about after business school if wanted to move into banking, PE, or corp dev?

Thanks all.

 
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