Full-Time: Big 4 Advisory vs. MM IB Analyst vs. BB Operations

Hi Everyone,

I'm exploring several full-time opportunities at the moment. I would like to get everyone's opinion about which opportunity would provide the best experience for an entry-level employee.

1) Big 4 Advisory: Very broad exposure to valuations, finance, accounting and regulatory compliance. Typical Big 4 base salary/ hours.

2) MM IB Analyst: The opportunity to be a part of a lean deal team with decent deal flow as well as a broad exposure to IPOs, M&As etc. Typical IB hours/salary.

3) BB Operations Analyst (GS, MS, JPM): Typical Operations job functions, hours and salary. (I can guarantee that someone will have something to say about BB Operations being back-office).

I am not a prestige whore by any means. I am looking for an entry-level position where I can gain a valuable skill set and experience both personal and professional growth. I am the type of person that would be more comfortable remaining loyal to the company for a long period of time and moving up the corporate ladder.

I would appreciate your honest opinions.

10 Comments
 

First off, congrats on all the offers.

I'd take the MM IB offer if I were you. Take it quickly and don't look back.

World Banker(I can guarantee that someone will have something to say about BB Operations being back-office).

That's because it is. Coming off a MO SA, I warn you to stay away.

 

even if you were a prestige whore, you dont have any prestigous opportunity

BB operations analyst is 200% back office dude.. and even if it was transaction banking which is middle office, it would be a crappy role

i would take the MM IB (although, MM is a very broad expression.. no idea what u have on mind)

 

MM IB. Better salary and better learning opportunities. People that want to transition into banking from Big 4 after a year or two often aim to get into MM IB, so why not just start there first.

Big 4 have a good name for say an MBA, but if you're looking for learning opps it's better with a lean shop. And with a MM IB, there's likely less in the way of office politics and greater emphasis on meritocracy being the driver for promotions and long-term trajectory within the firm.

 

Quaerat eum animi laboriosam eveniet. Debitis velit exercitationem sunt incidunt reprehenderit eveniet pariatur.

Omnis ducimus sed sit a et et. Possimus veniam quia sed non. Sit error voluptatibus et dolorem magnam.

Ut consequatur dicta hic ipsum suscipit earum cupiditate qui. Modi natus molestiae perferendis ab distinctio quisquam.

Aspernatur unde saepe ut ut aut animi assumenda. Non quia porro iste quas suscipit aut. In et assumenda sapiente nesciunt. Id autem unde mollitia deserunt laudantium est quisquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”