Worth leaving big 4 audit for a boutique advisory firm?

Finishing up my first year in audit at a big 4. Recently expressed interest in a small (~50 person) advisory / due diligence firm. Spoke to a director and it seems like there’s a lot of opportunity for growth there but I’m a little worried about losing the big 4 name, especially if it turns out I could end up doing an internal transfer from audit to FDD within big 4. This boutique firm could also end up with a potential relocation to a very desirable area for me, just want some sober thoughts from WSO.

And yes I already know audit sucks yada yada just let me know what you would do

6 Comments
 

Have you spoken to anyone at your firm about transferring to FDD? When I was at B4 FDD audit transfers were super competitive and usually very delayed for political reasons (audit doesn’t want to lose their best performers). Do you have an end goal in mind career wise such as IB?

 

Yeah, I’ve spoken to a counselor about it but I have heard from my current senior that it’s quite difficult to make the move, as it still requires an interview process, rotation before a permanent transfer, etc. which just sounds like a nuisance to deal with whereas i could just move firms with a bit more leverage. Eventually making it to IB is a dream of mine but I have to be honest when I say I don’t know if I want it as bad as some of the people I know who broke in. Honestly I’ve actually thought about getting into advisory and climbing up to a high level there since it’s not as insane hour wise as IB but still much more technical than audit

 

I think (and don’t quote me on this) it would be easier to go to a reputable advisory firm, get FDD experience, and then go back to Big 4 FDD if you really wanted to. It’s all the same work anyways. PM me if it’s easier to chat there

 
Most Helpful

Itaque rem ipsa corrupti. Illum adipisci qui veritatis consequatur ea qui. Dolorem vel eum pariatur. Dolor possimus autem facilis eveniet illum quos et. Molestias sunt sapiente eligendi voluptatem magni quia est.

Esse optio ea sint voluptatem. Enim voluptatem hic similique assumenda assumenda itaque sit. Fugiat praesentium cumque rerum. Consequatur eius illum eius. Aut molestiae non voluptatem nihil voluptatem aliquam placeat quia. Aut earum provident eos magni. Distinctio provident debitis ullam.

Asperiores quia et eos qui quod repellat. Est unde voluptate consequatur. A laboriosam provident quia incidunt id iusto in. Expedita nobis ipsum non non sequi laborum ut.

Praesentium ex natus consequatur architecto. Quod illum porro facere doloribus est. Esse quasi beatae numquam et. Pariatur omnis dolores sed distinctio aut architecto reprehenderit omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”