Career advice - FLDP or Public Accounting?

Did undergrad at T20; 22 y/o doing a MAcc at T5. If I get into mid-tier PA only, should I pursue a FLDP? If I get Big 4 offer, should I pursue that instead of FLDP? Doing a FLDP after MAcc will have what implications as far as pursuing a CPA is concerned? Or should I give banking a try? 

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

2 Comments
 

Hey there,

Based on the most helpful WSO content, both paths - FLDP and Public Accounting - have their own merits.

If you land a mid-tier Public Accounting role, an FLDP could still be a great option. It offers exposure to various financial roles within a company and can fast-track your career towards senior/management roles.

If you get a Big 4 offer, that's a fantastic opportunity too. Big 4 experience is highly valued and can open many doors in the future.

As for pursuing a CPA, doing an FLDP after your MAcc won't necessarily have negative implications. In fact, it could provide practical experience that complements your academic knowledge.

As for banking, it's a different beast altogether. It can be highly rewarding but also very demanding. If you're passionate about finance and ready for the challenge, it could be worth considering.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. It's about what aligns best with your career goals and personal circumstances.

Hope this helps! Keep swinging from those branches and you'll reach your goals in no time.

Sources: Which F500 Entry Level Job to Take?, I Don't Want to be Underpaid, Exiting Big Four (Audit) after 5 years and entering FP&A - Ask me anything, Q&A: Big 4 -> Military Officer -> Top 10 MBA

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Voluptatem cumque dolorem illum eligendi rerum tempore. Ut laudantium a fuga architecto est sed. Quia aut dolorum deleniti aut consequuntur earum omnis.

Quis harum natus quod vel dolorem sint corrupti. Modi placeat vero sit aut voluptatum unde. Aperiam ratione amet culpa minus exercitationem nobis eum qui.

Quia non quia earum tempora ratione dolorum. Quis in iure ipsam doloribus eos temporibus. Sapiente cumque rerum qui rerum. Nihil iure cupiditate ea id quia doloremque earum. Et iure quisquam necessitatibus at sit.

Odio voluptate labore libero soluta ipsum fuga ut. Perferendis eum voluptatem doloremque dolorem earum cumque fuga. Qui perspiciatis dolores sequi vitae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”