Bulge Bracket Investment Bank in an Emerging Country vs Big 4 in a Developed Country?

I got two offers that I am currently considering as I will be graduating soon from a Canadian University...

1) The first one is in Deutsche Bank's investment banking division in Malaysia (my home country which I left since I was 15). I got an offer to work as an equity researcher there.
2) Working for KPMG in the audit division in Canada, where I have immigrated to since I moved from Malaysia. I definitely don't want to do audit for too long, my goal is to move into their corporate finance Advisory or Transaction Services eventually

 
Best Response

Hi raptorstv,

I'm actually a IB hopeful, but I do have some experience in accounting (going through the Chartered Accountant qualification process currently) and I am currently with a big 4 firm in Toronto, so perhaps I can try to be of use here.

From speaking with my peers at the big 4, transitioning into TAS is very difficult, and on average requires at least 2 years (I assume you start at the bottom with no prior co-op experience), that is IF you develop good rapport with the TAS partners. Also, from your desire to move to TAS, I assume the Chartered Accountant path isn't for you. If that's indeed the case, then I would definitely go with Deutsche Bank, as not only will the experience be much better for finance than audit, but also IMO having a BB on your resume is worth more from a MBA perspective as well.

PM me for more questions, I'll try to help!

Cheers,

CDNdude

p.s. audit's boring as hell...no way, just no way...

 

Hi thanks for your reply,

I know that audit is extremelyyyy boring very well, I've done an internship in as in audit. I am certainly also more interested in working in investment bank rather than big4, but my dilemma comes from whether I should go back to Malaysia or not... I have heard before that once I go back to a non-developed country, it would be much harder to go back to the delevoped country. How true is this statement actually?

 

hm...that I'm not sure. Do you have a Canadian citizenship? Considering you moved here fairly young (15) I imagine you probably have it. If that's the case, then Malaysia'll be more like a international work experience right? I think international BB experience is highly valued, even in Canada! Also, If you want to work in TAS, I think transfering in from a BB would be easier than just audit. That's my take.

Cheers,

CDNdude

 

I would do Malaysia as you already have roots there and you said it yourself you would hate to do the Big 4 job. You should be relatively safe as I assume that DB's Malaysia office is relatively light so if you get laid off its either because you suck or they decided to sell the whole operations. If your base is the same as what you would of made in the US/Canada then you would have automatic baller status in Malaysia.

 

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