Big 4 Corporate Valuation or Real Estate Investment Management?
Hi all,
So currently, I have two job offers outstanding: A) Big 4 CPA firm (business valuation) B) Globally renowned insurance firm (real estate investment management)
Both are obviously fantastic opportunities coming straight out of college, but I'm having a hard time making a decision between the two. I have prior internship experience in real estate investment management and private equity real estate, but I'm afraid this industry is a bit too specialized and the fact that the market is very volatile.
Company A is located in a better place and Company B is offering more in compensation. Company A is a CPA firm, and Company B is one of the largest investors in real estate globally.
What do you guys think in terms of exit opps, industry, training and any other advice? Which option would you take, coming straight out of undergrad? What are other criteria that I should be considering between the two?
Thanks!
These are two very different jobs, so you'd be comparing apples to oranges here. I have worked for a CPA firm for a few years so I can speak to job A), but I don't have experience in real estate Asset Management so I can't really speak to B).
A) What I like about this job is the fact that working at a Big 4 firm really is one the better places to work at. You are working with mostly younger people, their training program is top notch and you have a ton of support from the firm in terms of sponsoring any designation you'd be pursuing. The hierarchy there is also fairly flat so you know your path there. Exit ops will also be better I think because there is such high turnover at a firm like that, that you'll consistently be making new connections. The biggest downside I see is that deal flow is smaller at a Big 4 and they are seen as more "amateur" compared to actual valuation shops. Also, since it is such a big firm you'll be doing very specific work and it might take a few years before you get to start doing bigger picture stuff.
At the end of the day do what interests you. It sounds like the real estate asset management job is a better job but the CPA firm may be a better environment. Just depends what your priorities are.
@TopChedder
Thanks for the thoughtful input. The Insurance company is well known for their diversity-inclusiveness and company environment.
I understand the two companies are in complete different industries. Do you think it's still possible to ultimately end up in real estate investment management or PERE from the Big 4 firm?
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