Big Four Corporate Finance Offer Need Advice

Hi all,

I know there are other threads on this, but most of them are rather old and didn't have exactly what I was looking for.

I recently received an offer at a Big 4 corporate finance team (i.e. MM IBD). As all of the other threads said, the starting offer is lower than other MM IBD firms, but it was presented as a work hard play hard situation, with a great work-life balance (insane amount of vacation).

I currently work at a boutique bank and am relatively confident I could land another offer at a different MM firm. Although, it might take another 6 months.

So, here are the questions:

1.) Can any one confirm the work-life balance in Big 4 Corp Fin? Do you actually get to take the vacation, or do they just give it to you because it's a company-wide thing?

2.) Is it worth asking for a higher base? I am coming in with a little over a year of full-time experience and a pretty long list of internships.

3.) Can anyone speak to the pay increases as you move up the ranks. I was told I would be eligible for a raise at the end of the year.

4.) What is the typical bonus % range? I was told it is completely discretionary and could be as high as 100% (highly unlikely) but is more likely in the 15 - 50% range depending on performance and level.

6 Comments
 

1) Where are you located (US or Intl?) 2) What are your goals in the short-term: are you looking for highest pay / prestige or a solid gig with work/life balance? 3) Why are you leaving your current gig?

Worked with the Big 4 CF but wasn't part of them. I believe it'll be easier to pivot to MM/BB IBD from your current boutique (unless its tiny) than Big 4, where you're pigeonholed, rightly or wrongly, as an accountant.

 
Best Response

UK perspective here so take with pinch of salt.

1) It's fine. 9-6/7 usually, later on deal crunch time. UK is different but we get 25 days which it's expected you take.

2) Not really, you will be paid within a firm-wide range for your level. 5% increase max. Give it a go but don't expect anything - your internships are fairly irrelevant for comp.

3) Annual pay increases, usually promotion linked. Look for your base to double within 3 years and then double again in another 4-5.

4) No chance of 100%. 15-20% more likely. Definitely influenced heavily by performance.

Saepe quasi adipisci sed qui molestias ea. Doloribus qui voluptatem rem minima qui quidem. Dolorem sed corrupti sit illum eos. Aliquam facilis earum omnis. Nam ea aliquam distinctio et quae minus. Ipsum possimus iure aut.

Quo nemo pariatur ducimus facere placeat. Magnam modi provident similique corrupti possimus sequi sit. Nostrum et vitae corporis voluptatem. Beatae itaque laboriosam qui voluptatem.

Exercitationem consequuntur dolor vel eligendi modi blanditiis quia. Vel soluta voluptatibus molestias temporibus alias eos voluptatem. Esse explicabo tenetur quae error voluptatem officia. Eos occaecati eos excepturi.

Quasi aut aut aliquid molestiae. Iusto optio consequatur tempora deleniti tempore nemo unde. Ea in eius laboriosam et accusamus rerum non. Laborum odit alias excepturi architecto. Libero at modi nobis cupiditate reprehenderit et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”