Big 4 internship, MAcc, etc.-- how to rebrand to banking

Thanks in advance for responding.

I'm from a top 3 accounting program where I'll graduate with my BS and MA in accounting this spring 2012. 3.7 GPA. Just finished Big4 internship in a large market, I declined the full time offer. Worked part time at small accounting firm during school. Also was top seller in office doing door-to-door sales for three summers. Some memberships in finance and banking clubs. That's my resume in a nutshell.

So I've done everything right up to this point .. if I want to go into accounting. I want to get into something banking and something prestigious that could lead to a good MBA. I've taken a few finance and economics classes and really liked them. I am actually passionate about the material whereas accounting I'm not. The banks are coming to campus to interview and applications are due by the end of the month.

I'm starting to read the WSJ more. Bloomberg also. Any good books for beginners? I got one today at the library, "Investment Banking Explained." I've also got the Vault guide. I'm particularly interested in Investment management, any good books that will help me learn more about that specifically? I've basically got one month to cram and show them I'm passionate and somewhat knowledgable about banking. I'm looking for books, advice, websites (or links within this website)--- basically anything that will help me land a job, despite my strong accounting background.

7 Comments
 

You should have taken the Big4 gig. Any chance you can get it back? Lots of B4 folks go into top MBA programs after a few years.

 

3.7 GPA but you are still a dumb ass for declining an offer from a big 4 because you are looking for something prestigious that could lead to a good MBA.

No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions; he had money as well.
 
Best Response

Aut sapiente iure tenetur veritatis. Minus libero modi neque nihil tempora vel.

Impedit placeat unde magnam nihil dolore odit consequuntur. Aut consequatur et eos consequatur dolor velit. Aut dolorem odio enim ipsa et qui veniam.

A id quia ullam quia. Aut hic maiores necessitatibus velit sed omnis et. Nesciunt dolorem qui fuga ut non quo voluptas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $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

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...”