Need advice

I’m trying to choose between two firms - one will pay me a big signing bonus plus a very competitive salary while the other will not give me a signing bonus and would be no increase / slight decrease in pay (going from 180 to 220 - 1 yr analyst sting then promoted to associate at the fund) vs IB (plus lose 7/12 months of bonus which on the other shop is the signing bonus)


Why would I do the second? Would say it’s aligned closer with my longer term plans of wanting to go out and acquire businesses on my own (focuses on 5-15mm EBITDA with opportunity to go lower).


The other feels much safer but is not as aligned with my long term goals and is pretty niche (but interesting) 100mm plus checks on energy infrastructure assets

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