Path to PE: Corporate Finance vs. M&A Advisory

Hi everyone.

I am a recently graduated in engineering from a top school and acting as and FP&A analyst of an operating plant on the steel industry. I am having by now some interviews on Big4 M&A advisory and thinking what should be the best nest step for me having in mind a mid-term career in PE.

My actual job is very linked to management financial stuff. And because of that presents a lot of it as an operational management role. I deal with financial and operational reports, cash flow for the business unit, capital investment analysis and budgeting. I've been in this role for 2 months, because before I was a graduate trainee for the same company but in the business improvement area;

The interview is to an associate level in a Big4 in advisory in M&A but, as I was informed it doesn't involves much financial modeling but focus on sinergies, value creation and ODD.

So, in the opinions of you monekys, what should be the wisest next step if I am aiming to be prepared to PE in a some years?

Thanks!

1 Comments
 

Eum reprehenderit natus et ut non inventore. Earum incidunt reprehenderit aut consequuntur doloremque ipsum voluptatem. Placeat amet earum doloremque ratione eaque recusandae voluptate. Excepturi et illo soluta aperiam beatae repellendus.

Unde voluptatibus animi eum aut iste. Fugiat culpa veniam sit tempore deserunt et tempore. At odit numquam accusantium qui molestiae debitis et. Exercitationem est consequuntur corrupti ducimus. Provident vel molestias nam qui. Facere sed sit distinctio ipsa porro veniam. Velit a quis nostrum ut molestiae debitis sunt.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
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...”