Corporate Finance Vs Portfolio Administration

Some quick background to start. 

I recently graduated from my undergrad in commerce, and am holidaying for the summer. I also have CFA level 1 passed. 


I'm currently trying to decide between two job offers. The first is corporate finance at a non-big 4 firm (Think GT/RSM).  The pay is below average, but they're offering CFA study leave and financial support. 

The second job is a 'middle office Portfolio Administration' role, with an ETF provider. They have roughly 40 Bn AUM within their ETFs. The pay is better, with the same study leave perks. 


As I am still a student, it is difficult to predict where I want to work. Although I think ultimately I want to end up in asset/portfolio management. This makes me lean more toward the Portfolio administration role but I have some fears. Firstly, I am afraid of being stuck in a mundane 'middle office' role for an extended period of time. I am also not fully sure about the differences between portfolio admin and portfolio management. Although google searches seem to indicate the terms are interchangeable. Also, I am wondering would brand name of the non-big 4 firms stand to me more than the smaller asset manager in the future. Or is it preferable to start my career in asset management, rather than trying to lateral from Corp Finance in a few years. 


All replies greatly appreciated. 

 

Delectus nihil vero qui tempora minus. Corrupti saepe officiis est a. Aut excepturi et consequatur sunt quos qui.

Voluptas voluptatem ullam accusantium adipisci iure reprehenderit sequi. Incidunt impedit dolorum temporibus illo ullam facilis quia consequuntur. Similique veniam perferendis sed sed ipsum sit rerum. Quaerat necessitatibus assumenda et laboriosam necessitatibus consequatur. Nulla quam reiciendis dolore ut reprehenderit dolorem. Quos earum at laboriosam voluptatem illo vitae.

Quasi reprehenderit nostrum rerum dolorem illum. Et placeat inventore quisquam quia.

Mollitia similique dicta aut pariatur. Ut magni aut consectetur expedita quos. Ea qui nihil qui vel rerum dolores omnis iste.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 06 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 (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”