Help with 2 not-ideal offers

I need some help deciding on a couple of offers. One is for an analyst position at Duff and Phelps and the other is for an Associate position at a Big 4 in their Transaction Services group.

The problem with the big 4 offer is that it doesn't involve modeling in any way. It's 99.9% technical accounting based, but working with banks, pe funds, and corporation during acquistions, carve-outs, etc. There's a good chance I can move into the valuation or FDD groups, but it would take at least a year.

The Duff and Phelps offer is 99.9% modeling, but I'm not sure that it's all B-val. I think a lot of it is purchase price allocation and goodwill impairment.

What would be my best exit ops from each position? Duff and Phelps doesn't have as strong of a name brand, but the work is modeling based. The big 4 name is stronger, but it's more technical accounting advisory work (though I can potentially move into Val. later)

I like the culture at big 4 better based on those I met, but Duff and Phelps would pay more.

What would you do?

7 Comments
 

I've heard that Valuation Analysts sometimes work banking hours without the banking salary, whereas I've heard some Advisory Associates working much lighter hours without that much of a drastic pay cut.

Do you think Val would be worth the extra hours, only to have more relevant skills? In other words can't I just spin my story to make Advisory work look just as good without having to work longer hours?

 
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