Boutique IPO or Boutique PE for better career prospects?

Hi all,

Could I get some advice on the following. I am currently an auditor at an accounting firm. Been around for a few years and recently managed to land the following interviews / offers:

1) Offer 1 - Boutique IPO Pros: They match my current pay and firm has a good track record. Cons: IPO market isn't doing well and I don't really have the interest in this.

2) Interview 1 - Boutique PE Pros: Work seems more interesting as have a stake in understanding the operations and perhaps suggesting improvements. Probably more upside (?) Cons: Firm has just started off and currently AUM is 100m so may have problems transitioning to larger firms in the future. Also, I would get a pay cut of about 25%.

Could I get your advice on the following: 1) Assuming I have both offers, which would be a better career path to pursue? 2) Suppose I take the Boutique IPO offer. Would transitioning to M&A or buyside roles be easier? 3) Any tips on how to get the boutique IPO firm to push back their offer deadline? I am supposed to get back to them by this week. I doubt I would hear from the Boutique PE firm by then.

@Dingdong08" could I get your input on this, please? You always have great insights to share on PE and finance in general.

Thank you very much.