Hey all, I could use some help deciding between two offers.
Role #1: Expense side FP&A at a FAANG (Meta/Google). The role pays $180k all-in. They told me to expect long hours and a chaotic culture. This is more similar to my current role, and I would ideally like to move away from the focus on expenses. The brand name would be a plus on the resume (not to mention the perks).
Role #2: Strategic Finance/BizOps at a pre-IPO SaaS Unicorn. This role would pay $130k base plus $40k of vested, illiquid RSU’s. This role would focus on everything from: Product GTM, Pricing, M&A, Partnerships, and a heavy BizOps/Strategy component. This is a plus for me because I’ve been looking to move out of a pure finance role for a while. In terms of enjoyment, this role would win out. However, they have been pre-IPO for years and they have no clear IPO timeline. This would also be a pay cut from my current role in terms of liquid comp.
Role #2 seems like a better fit for me, but passing up $50k per year in liquid compensation is a really tough pill to swallow. What would you do in my situation? Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks!
Depends on your YOE / background. Did you work on the street at one point (IB, ER, PE, etc)? If so, you have a lot more to fall back on and should take the "risk" with the unicorn.
I have just under 4 years of experience. Almost 3 years in business valuation, 1 year at another FAANG in an FP&A role. I don’t come from an IB background unfortunately.
Go with FAANG then given your background
Role #1 would be a lateral move with $35k more pay and with more transferable (less niche within FP&A) focus. It also tends to be a more sought after FAANG (better perks, etc).
Would go with the Strategic Finance offer if that's what you're more interested in long-term. Especially since you already have the FAANG FP&A branding from your previous work experience.
Once you have some Strat Fin experience you should definitely be able to find other opportunities w/ TC in the $180K range.
Thank you for your input. I'm definitely more interested in strategic finance long term. I suppose the decision is between taking the Strat Fin offer or taking the FP&A offer and trying to transfer internally after a year.
I do have the branding on my resume, but I have only been in my current role for 1 year so I wonder how much the branding will count for.
Thanks again for your insight.
Hi, hope everything is going well. I'm in asset management and curious about what it is like to work in strat finance/corporate development or FP&A in the corporate world. Would you be open to a coffee chat with me?
Sorry for my super late response. I would be open to a coffee chat if you're still interested!
I think it really depends on your career goals
Finance at a FANG is completely back office and not an important function. I highly discourage career oriented folks from doing it
The career velocity is going to be like stuck in the mud
Therefore I would take the pre IPO firm. More velocity. A potential to get involved in investor days or even an IPO, and the opportunity to get into operations, product or marketing
I'm shocked by the long hours comment for this role.
I had a similar role, granted in a strat fin capacity, at a FAANG and can confirm that the hours were actually kinda brutal for a corporate gig (~10 - 9 M-F and some weekend hours on average given I was EST with a PST team)
Personally I'd go earlier. Waaaaay more interesting IMO. Just depends on how structured you want it to be though.
That's a large pay cut. I'd go with the FAANG option. The 40k vested, in a company with an unclear IPO timeline, could be years down the line and is by no means guaranteed.
Hey OP, saw you responded recently on this. What did you decide on and how is it going so far?
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