Big4 Corporate Finance Vs Investment banking

Hi everyone! I work with in Big4 audit in UK. I'm currently trying to move to Corporate Finance and had a question about the long term prospects in this, if anyone can help me understand. I'm sure there are a lot of experienced people out here and I am curious to learn their thoughts.1) Why do people stick with Corporate Finance in accounting/advisory firms and not move to Investment banking or PE after some time? Surely banks pay better, I think.2) How do experienced bankers (say 12/15+ years) feel about their careers and are they worried that an economic downturn like a recession or something could trigger job insecurity?Apologies if this has been asked here before!

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Hi, and welcome to the WSO. Before answering your questions, don't use your real name in WSO, nickname is more preferred.

  1. About why people stay in Big 4 vary from a person to person. Additionally, Investment Banking and PE are very hard industries to get into.
  1. About the economic downturn affecting jobs, I can stay pretty much every type of job is vulnerable nowadays except some professions (doctors). IT people are vulnerable to outsourcing, manual type works are vulnerable to automation and so on. Finance is also a place which is vulnerable. But it is what it is. During the downturns despite the number of deals can become less, the deals related to debt, capital raising are still there.
 

Thank you for the suggestions! That was helpful. Probably after a while in Corporate Finance and if they're doing good, it doesn't make sense to push yourself out of the comfort zone just for the sake of more money. Plus banks I believe can be more brutal and rough than advisory firms.

On the job security bit - being in audit I am kind of used to some job security here because it never has enough people and the work is for compliance which is always needed. Additionally, it's generic so exit into accounting jobs isn't that difficult. For IB I'm unsure what one would do if they were let go and that's why the question! Thanks again.

 

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