Big 4 Audit or Fortune 100 FP&A for MBA

Hi,

I'm having trouble deciding on whether I should take a Big 4 Audit role or a F100 FP&A role. I've done an audit internship at a top 10 accounting firm last year and I absolutely hated it.... I want to get out of accounting ASAP and I hope to do that by applying for a Top15 or Top 25 MBA program in like 3-4 years.

My question is, which would look better on my MBA application? An FP&A role at a fortune 100 or a Big 4 audit role. Post-MBA I'd like to do something but interesting like corporate strategy/development. Something that actually adds value to a company.

Some additional information if it'll help
State school: BBA in accounting, gpa: 3.5
Same school: MS in accounting, gpa: 3.6
GMAT: 630, will study and improve

If both were equal, I'd take the FP&A role since it seems to be more forward looking and has a much higher salary. However, if the Big 4 experience will look better I am willing to make the sacrifice.

Thanks!

4 Comments
 

There's a ton of big accountants but I think that the F100 would differentiate you more. Plus it sounds like you're leaning that way anyway.

 

Depends on what the mobility is at the Fortune 100.

The reason why Big4 path is good is because of how well the career path is set out. In 2-3 years you know you'll be a senior essentially running engagement teams and assigning work. By year 5 you should be managing 10-15 people depending on the client size.

If you're gonna be stuck in FP&A and not have management experience without interesting extra curricular, I think you'd get dinged at b-school for that.

 
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