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.

 

Repellendus soluta eos debitis ullam. Eligendi sed optio voluptatibus tempore voluptatibus. Natus dolorum dolorem consequatur excepturi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”