Big 4 Audit -----> Big 4 Transaction Support or Industry Corporate Finance Analyst

Hi All,

I have been following WSO in the background for a while now and love all the help and tips everyone shares so thank you to all that contribute!

I am in a dilemma and need some advice. I am based in the U.K. (London). I went to a non-target uni for undergrad but still fairly decent standard (top 15 at the time). Also have a Masters in Finance from a top 10 Uni. I am a qualified chartered accountant.

I have just come to the end of my 3 year programme at a big 4 firm, specialising in the energy sector but in Audit. More recently I had seconded to an Energy TAS client (for 6 months). This was an Energy company specialising in Oil & Gas and not a fund. The role has given me exposure to financial modelling, investment appraisal and preparation of slide decks for the board etc.

I am now in a position where I can potentially go back to the Big 4 firm to join the Energy Transaction Support team or I am in the final stages of interviews for a corporate finance analyst role at an energy company in London.

This energy company is a new entrant to UK market, but has a significant parent company based in Central Europe so their strategy is to grow across the UK via M&A and large project type investments (they have plenty of capital so no issues with funding). I would be joining the investments team and so would have exposure to full deal lifecycle including modelling, due diligence, preliminary analysis, deal structuring etc. The team is made up of 4-5 people and so pretty small at the moment but they all have strong backgrounds in IB and Debt advisory etc.

My issue is do I go for the big 4 position in TS due to it's name and exit opps or do I take the risk and join this yet to be known company in the UK and potentially ride the wave of rapid expansion and upside?

Ideally, my long term goal is to be a partner in a PE/Infrastructure/Energy fund. Will the corporate finance role cut off my chance of joining an Energy PE fund?

Appreciate this is longwinded so thanks in advance for reading and would love any thoughts!