Does it get easier?
I'm currently debating on whether or not to go into finance. I read a lot and I think the general consensus on how to break into wall street is to get an entry level i-banking job. However, I do know there are long hours associated with the entry level positions. However what happens when you are 30 years old? Or 50 years old and can't handle those hours? Is promotion just a crap shoot or is it based on meritocracy and network? I asked around and didn't really get a solid answer.
I would take a look at some other forums on moving up the ranks in IB, theres a very structured hierarchy. I'm no expert but it is a pretty similar path at most places (MM, Boutique, BB) of the following:
1) Analyst- typically 80+ hours a week, sometimes it can be over 100 depending on your team or the frequency of deals/projects you are on. Probably the worst work/life balance you will see anywhere. You do this for roughly two years, and either go and get your MBA or get promoted to become an associate in that respective firm. For many, the goal is to go about 2 years, MBA, then to the 'promised land' of Private Equity and Hedge Funds.
2) Associate- Still busting your ass, you certainly won't be talking about how much better the hours are at this level. Same deal as Analyst, 2-3 years depending and then you hopefully become VP.
3) VP- This is typically where there is a noticeable drop off in hours, of course in the grand scheme of things you are still a workaholic psycho, but now at least you're sending work down the totem pole, instead of taking it all at the bottom. Again the numbers obviously vary depending on the firm, team, etc. but a median might be around 70 hpw. At this point you're not deviating too far from 30.
4) SVP/Director/Principal- You're almost always 30-40 at this level, and life should be getting good here....relatively. The hours are again very difficult to pinpoint, but I can say that they will be more interesting hours. Instead of making models, banging around on excel/powerpoint and doing to most monotonous of work possible, you're going to have way more client interaction. Wining and dining, traveling, etc. are definitely perks, and you will be performing more fulfilling work in general, taking on much more pivotal roles in your deals. Also you'll likely be getting paid so much you won't care
5) MD- You're likely 40 and up unless you cock-slap life in the face and somehow managed to get here before then. Your golf game will be stronger, but its still likely coming in between 7:30-9 and leaving from 5-8 (again difficult to accurately quantify) Also you eat what you kill, so theres really no stress free spot in IB. You'll work harder than most your age, but trust me your comp will make up for it.
You're right. The auditor probably came to the realization that he wasn't cut out for the banker lifestyle, so decided he would do something different. Auditing, from what I've heard, is very stable with mid (50 hrs/week) and not at all extreme work hours. I wouldn't think that audit is the 'couldn't cut it in banking' career because there are a variety of reasons someone would exit banking for something completely unrelated, and audit is just one of all possible options at that point, pre or post banking stint. Making it in banking seems to be very rare, actually, as I've seen MDs speaking about the small number of their analyst class actually making it to that level. Falling off the path could be both voluntary or involuntary and it's nothing to look down upon as there's no way to know what the lifestyle is really like until you're actually there.
I can't speak to auditing specifically, though i think iBankedUp has that covered. It is definitely atypical though. Im not sure what you mean by "fall off the beaten path" however. If you just mean exit ops, like I said PE or HF are usually the target. Other than that I know that consulting is an option, or just more general business. If you mean those that never made the cut, i'm not sure. I know that ex-ibankers are highly respected so it certainly shouldn't be the end of the world. It takes a special type of individual to even land the job in the first place, regardless of boutique, MM or BB. Maybe someone else might have a broader knowledge of exit opps
No, it does not get easier. Your hours in the office may be lower but there'll be increasing pressure and responsibility at every level, and eventually you have to bring in revenue. This is the same for other paths too like PE where you can be an execution guy only for so long before you have to starting sourcing
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