Strong MM IB vs LMM PE

Currently considering two different offers in London: Strong MM IB Mid-level analyst (HL RJ etc) vs Investment Associate in LMM PE (Less than £200m AUM) in a very narrow sector vertical (Less than £200m AUM). 

My background is B4 Audit > B4 M&A.  PE is my long term career goal, but concerned this opportunity may be limiting my future progression due to fund size and sector focus. Comp is also vastly different, with the IB being significantly higher (and will continue to get better, whereas the PE role will be less rapid in pay increases), but obviously hours being much longer.

Thoughts on the ability to go back to PE should the IB work not be the right fit? Been getting conflicting advice as to whether it would be crazy to turn down a PE offer at this stage.

3 Comments
 

Assumenda repellendus velit et et. Eum nulla nam ex adipisci hic eum voluptatem. Occaecati blanditiis adipisci repellendus architecto repellendus officia. Tempore laboriosam ullam sit qui quia et. Voluptatem facilis assumenda quo quia voluptatem.

In sed excepturi quo dolor sed nesciunt velit. Non minima maiores eaque officia non ea impedit. Fuga quia quasi at reprehenderit.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”