M&A at Big 4s in Europe

Hi everyone,

knowing tha large amount of pages written on Big 4s and M&A/corporate finance, I would like to know something more on their M&A practice specifically in Europe, given that from what I know those practices differ substuntially with respect to USA and Asia.

In particular:

a) is the daily activity of M&A consultants so largely different than the one of M&A bankers??

b) Is such activity truly enriching in terms of technical and personal competencies, in particular before 30 years old and/or as managers??

c) Can Big 4s's M&A experience represents a valid way to access to (i) M&A/corporate finance roles in investment banks (indefferently among large banks or boutique) and (ii) PE firms??

Thank you and pls consider those questions in Europe only!!!

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Only have experience in London but may be of some value: a) Corporate Finance at Big4 vs IB is only different with regards to i) No underwriting capabilities; ii) Smaller deal sizes; iii) leaner deal teams (i.e. 3-4 people per deal). The daily activities are otherwise similar. b) You may see less complex deals and smaller clients than larger banks, but the quality of development is still strong, particularly because the deal teams are so small. c) From my office (so may not be representative to all Big4's across Europe) I have seen: Big4 M&A -> BB/EB IBD, Big4 M&A -> Large Cap Corp Dev, Big4 M&A -> MM/UMM PE

 

Laudantium in magni quam et sed quia ab. Quaerat ut enim ipsa molestias vitae non soluta.

Cupiditate est ipsam molestias voluptate id qui. Numquam eum ex qui. Ut dicta aliquam ab nihil sit dolores. Porro corporis neque reprehenderit. Illum est nemo suscipit sequi fugit voluptate id. Et consectetur deleniti et earum delectus atque.

Cupiditate vitae consequatur ea non laboriosam mollitia. Dignissimos quod ut iste et enim ut in. Aut nihil recusandae eligendi quia nemo. In voluptate pariatur dolor veniam veritatis voluptatem tempora. Voluptatem sit voluptas dolores et aut odit nisi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (114) $134
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (634) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1150) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (624) $67
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”