Big 4 Audit vs. LMM Boutique Finance

I was fortunate enough to receive two full-time offers and am a bit stuck on which one to choose. I am attending a semi-target with a business undergrad graduating next year.

One of the offers is your typical audit staff accountant position with a big 4. The other is with a boutique PE finance firm focusing on responsible/impact investing (very lower middle market, deals around 1-2MM mark). The finance work is definitely something I am more interested in over audit.

The total difference is around 10-20k (majority of it salary), with the finance firm paying more. However, from what I have heard, there is better salary growth with the big 4 offering consistent raises year over year.

I am leaning towards the finance firm as of now, but I almost everyone I have talked to mentioned not taking on the Big 4 name at the start of my career would be career suicide. I was hoping to lateral to FP&A or continue in finance in the future, and was wondering if not having the big 4 name on my resume would close many doors, even if my direct work experience at the boutique firm is more applicable to FP&A/finance? Thanks for all your help!

2 Comments
 

Skip the big 4, it's not prestigious - especially not audit. The finance job work exp will be the most relevant thing for you moving forward, you aren't missing any brand prestige with big 4 audit.

 

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