F500 FP&A vs Project Contoller at Big4
I was wondering what you guys thought would be better for getting into the best MBA program possible. I currently am a project controller at the consulting arm of a big4, but I've also done an internship in FP&A at a global F500 before. I am wondering if I should go back to FP&A or not (I believe it would be very easy for me, I get messages on linkedin from recruiters all the time). I don't find either super exciting and would like to do something else post MBA.
One of the definite pros about the project controlling job for me is the Big4 name. Obviously there are big names in the F500 too (duh), but there are also a ton of F500 companies which most people have never heard of before. Another thing, I feel like it is easier to find yourself surrounded by incompetent people in industry jobs (yes even F500) versus in professional services. Of course there are also very good F500s out there (P&G, GE, etc).
For those that don't know, usually a project controller will be assigned to different projects and will look after a consulting project's financials from start to finish (reviewing contract before deal is signed by client - budgeting/forecasting - accurate revenue recognition at month-end - invoicing/collecting from client). You are dealing with mostly just billable hours and travel expenses, but some of these projects can get quite complex and can get up to $10M or more in size. You are not client facing but you interact a lot with directors/partners of the firm. It is seen as a back office role though.
stick to Big 4 dude. i've been working in fp&a at a reputable company for a few years, and this job seriously blows the big one at lower levels (work is pretty menial, spend most of my time gathering and presenting data as opposed to any "analysis"). not an especially good learning experience either... don't do it unless you get into some nice FDLP-like position.
oh, and "back-office" doesn't really apply outside of banking, so don't worry about either role coming off as so.
pretty sure there is nothing more menial than being an audit monkey
audit gets a ton of hate on WSO and im certainly not a big fan of it either (see my name), but the position that OP described is essentially support staff for the audit team. i work on an audit engagement for a F100 company and we have a dedicated person on site with us who does the kind of work OP described. essentially the position deals with budgets for the engagement team, billing the client, ensuring the firm is getting paid on time, etc. the person who does this on my team works a 40 hour a week schedule, has no interaction with the client beyond following up on late payments, and limited exposure to the Partners on the team. for someone who is young and wants to progress in there career, i would highly suggest to move out of this position quickly.
question... is your title "Project Analyst"? i think i interviewed for something like that at Deloitte Consulting a few years back.
^Yes that is the same position, but I am not at Deloitte. I think at Deloitte the project analysts charge billable hours for their work to the client, and travel to the client sites, but otherwise they do the same exact thing.
Any more opinions on this? Thanks
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