3 Years at Boutique M&A Firm - What Now?

Hey I've worked 3 years as an analyst at a small boutique M+A firm focused on the middle market.

I've worked sellside, buyside, and exit planning deals.

I already have an MSF (hopped on that train early!)

There is not much upward trajectory for me here at the firm. Where do I go now?

Do you think it would be possible to lateral as an associate at a MM or BB firm?

Should I focus on other boutiques?

What about PE firms?

9 Comments
 

Try to get into a buy side firm unless you want to do banking long term.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
heister

Try to get into a buy side firm unless you want to do banking long term.

I like M&A and would be willing to stay in banking for that. How do you think I can get the attention of PE firms coming from a relatively unknown boutique?

 
Whiskey5

I think your pe opportunities will be severely limited if its a no name boutique.
MM shops or even BB won't let you common as an associate so you may have to repeat your 3rd year. Plenty went down this path so it's very possible

How would you best recommend getting a shot at BB's? Networking?

 
TheBlueCheese

I'd try to lateral into a full-time, junior associate position at a bigger firm

Is this possible? It sounds easier said than done. Is it relatively common?

Where do most analysts at non-famous boutiques go?

 
Best Response

Facilis ratione consequuntur sit dolores voluptatem occaecati. Laborum magnam nihil natus neque. Qui et eum voluptates eum amet maxime nihil. Explicabo aut occaecati unde non ut natus. Sequi beatae fuga veniam officiis quia eius alias consequatur.

Amet sed eos nulla rerum nemo non sed. Porro illo rem sunt. Eum magnam sed minus sunt. Doloremque eos voluptas velit beatae voluptatum magni. Aliquam dolorem sed maiores animi est. Corrupti ad et tempora harum ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”