Big 4 Operations Consulting or Strategy at a startup

Currently deliberating between the two options. I’ve just finished my 3rd year in Big 4 Ops consulting (Mostly Financial Services focused) and likely to make Senior Consultant in the next few months. Just had an offer from a fin-tech startup to take on a Strat role. Comp is pretty much the same as what I’m on now. 
 

I’m unsure if it’s the right move in terms of accelerating my career. I’m keen to go into Strat but am deliberating if this move is too early/might be difficult to go back to consulting.

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Sunt quis pariatur et dolorem architecto ea. Necessitatibus quis cupiditate cumque inventore ex est. Consectetur officiis quae velit ipsam. Quis eius quibusdam error hic voluptate ut. Harum deleniti ea officiis eos mollitia odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (59) $274
  • Vice President (53) $245
  • Engagement Manager (114) $233
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $137
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (393) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1170) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (641) $68
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

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...”