M&A consulting vs. IB?
What's the difference between M&A consulting and M&A in investment banking? And, why would you choose one over the other? Any opinions?
What's the difference between M&A consulting and M&A in investment banking? And, why would you choose one over the other? Any opinions?
Career Resources
WSO Virtual Bootcamps
Career Advancement Opportunities
June 2026 Consulting
Overall Employee Satisfaction
June 2026 Consulting
Professional Growth Opportunities
June 2026 Consulting
Total Avg Compensation
June 2026 Consulting
“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”
Leaderboard
| 1 | 99.2 | |
| 2 | 99.0 | |
| 3 | 99.0 | |
| 4 | 99.0 | |
| 5 | 98.9 | |
| 6 | 98.9 | |
| 7 | 98.9 | |
| 8 | 98.9 | |
| 9 | 98.9 | |
| 10 | 98.8 |
“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
“Strategy” style M&A consulting as practiced at MBB:
research industry trends and translate them to impact on the business
build a financial model of the projected business
Identify and quantify synergy opportunities
develop a plan for how the combined entity will operate (org structure, combined operations, tech integration)
M&A IB: build a model of the projected business
estimate synergies (more top down)
Value synergies and standalone business
model financing and capital structure
overlap: model projected standalone business and synergies
Benefits of IB: money, valuation experience
benefits of consulting: WLB, deeper operational experience
Nemo ut aut ut praesentium deserunt est. Quaerat quia quis ut ullam debitis ut. Illo iste earum dolores nostrum dolorem facilis velit ipsa. Voluptatem repellendus rerum ab corrupti. Laboriosam velit sequi et. Dolorem iusto atque corrupti dicta exercitationem.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...