2 offers - boutique ER firm v. startup asset manager

A little about my background, I have a couple of years experience in finance, primarily in private equity. My longer term goal is to work at an Asset Management firm that is principally in equity investing with a value focus and exposure to other asset classes like bonds and currencies. That said, I currently have two offers on the table and am unsure of which to take.

Offer 1: Boutique ER firm
- 150k total comp.
- A somewhat well known firm in certain circles, but primarily focuses on research that it markets to day traders and macro guys - i.e. not the focus that I'm interested in
- Hours are a bit hectic (not US hours)

Offer 2: Startup asset manager
- Looking at 65 base plus bonus, all in probably 90-100
- Exposure to the asset classes I'm interested in (position is all individual equities and bond research, both investing in value and exposure to growth equities)
- Mentor friendly environment
- Guy who is running it also runs another fund that is a 4.5 star morningstar rated fund
- ~500M currently committed between owner and other partners

So I'm leaning towards offer 2, but would anyone recommend taking offer 1? 1 is a somewhat older firm, is well regarded in the circles it's in and I wouldn't have to worry about poor performance affecting it.

And if anyone would take 2, at what point would additional $ cause you to say #1?

3 Comments
 

I think most people in this situation would prefer the higher salary but it appears that you are in a situation where that extra $50k isn't a huge deal.

Option 2 you will have direct exposure to asset classes you're interested in but will also have many more unrelated responsibilities.

 

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