Transaction Advisory Services at a MM Firm

Hi Everyone,

I currently work in assurance at a Big 4 firm and am considering applying to firms like FTI, D&P, Alvarez and Marsal for Transaction Advisory Services positions after I finish this upcoming busy season. My ideal exit opp someday would be to move into corporate development someday, which I know is difficult without IB/MBB experience. MBB is probably not going to be a thing for me because I don't have the qualities they need to get an interview (i.e. I went to a non-target, don't have a killer SAT, etc.).

I was wondering, therefore, if I would be at a significant disadvantage working for one of those firms vs a big 4 in case I needed to lateral to IB in a few years? From what I understand, the pay at FTI/A&M is better than Big 4 and it's often better culturally, but they definitely do not work on the blockbuster , 1B+ deals and instead solely focus on the MM. Would the size of the deal matter that much if I wanted to try to lateral into a Top MM/BB down the road, or are these places still good brand for breaking in?

Thanks a lot!