M&A Transition Question

Hi Monkeys,

I would like your insights regarding my opportunities:

Background: Finance/Accounting undergrad - Big 4 Audit in Western Canada - CA/CFA II Candidate.

Opportunities: M&A Advisory at our firm or boutique investment bank (M&A advisory only no underwriting).

Concerns: I am concerned mostly about deal flow, and will most likely choose the opportunity based on that criteria as I want to gain as much useful experience before applying for a top 10 MBA program. A secondary concern I have is branding; I am concerned that the boutique bank will not carry enough weight on my resume as compared with the Big 4 firm.

I am interested to hear your thoughts, thank you.

10 Comments
 

Assuming equal deal flow, which opportunity would be better to apply to top 10 MBA, or and PE firm? I assume the experience at the boutique will be more tailored and provide a diversity of deals (Big 4 M&A is usually sell side advisory). However, will the additional experience be enough to make up for the fact that is not a well known boutique; most MBA programs and PE firms are aware of Big 4 M&A advisory.

 

Actually, it is the opposite. Big 4 tends to do more capital raising, restructuring advisory, and quirky assignments. The boutiques generally are pure play sell side shops. And didn't you say above that the boutique was purely M&A?

Without knowing the group or at least the tier, it would be impossible to say which would be better. Boutiques could range from a two-man shop working like business brokers to sizeable shops that serve middle market (or larger) clients.

 

If any one else has some insight that would be greatly appreciated. I am also trying to find a resource which shows top banks in BC; does anyone have suggestions?

 

Sit facilis maiores dolore assumenda ut in. Nihil nihil ut vitae corporis quod fugiat quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”