Mid size accounting firm vs. Big 4

Not sure whether I should go with a mid size firm or a big 4.

I like the mid size firm a lot better and they are very well respected in my area. They are a part of the Moore Stephens Group, and they offer financial services like valuations.

The big4 that I can go to is EY if that makes a difference, not a big fan of them, but they're not bad.

Was wondering if Big4 really makes that much of a difference when trying to exit accounting into other careers, ideally a finance career in PE, HF's, etc.

Thoughts?

2 Comments
 

Go with Big 4 firm. Recruiters care about that name brand. Especially if you are trying for finance exit ops. You can always go to the other firm if you dislike EY and want to stick with accounting.

CPA/investor/bballer
 

Atque sit soluta repellendus et rerum consequatur magni incidunt. Adipisci est facilis et distinctio optio. Totam eius quis natus est earum aliquam similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”