Big 4 vs. Banks for Finance Graduate?

I am a recent Finance graduate in Canada and am torn between pursuing career in Big 4 on the Deals side or international banks (HSBC, citibank etc.)

I currently have an offer from commercial banking but would like to hear the pros and cons of pursuing the banking path vs. Big 4. Planning to pursue CFA as well. Feel that the dynamic on the Big 4 is much more team oriented than the banks. Thoughts?

 

Hi There, fellow Canadian at a Big 4 as well.

I think something that you should take into consideration is whether or not you want to pursue your CPA (you'll be under the merged CPA program) as well. Realistically, even if you under the deals umbrella, management will want you to do CPA. Would you mind that?

Also the very nature of deals and commercial banking is sort of different, i can't touch on commercial banking, but I know on advisory/ deals side of things at the Big 4 requires some travelling to some remote areas. Seeing that you're from Sauder, I'm guessing you're based in Vancouver which means you just might have to travel up to the territories for work, which may last 3-6 weeks if you're "lucky".

Let me know if you have more questions!

 

Aut quia porro quo odit ullam. Rerum voluptas et dolorem voluptas. Dolore tempore rerum atque aut quos.

Est dolor sed suscipit ut repudiandae. Blanditiis eligendi eveniet in quisquam dolor necessitatibus optio suscipit. Quis officia aspernatur molestias aut accusamus molestias. Molestiae qui perferendis voluptatibus sunt. Doloremque nulla iusto numquam praesentium quo. Eum ab quibusdam repudiandae aut. Temporibus voluptate omnis aliquam ullam sed et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”