How competitive are advisory/valuation positions at Big4 firms?
I'm a sophomore at a non-target pursuing IB for SA2021. While I am hopeful I will place directly into IB, coming from a non-target I know nothing is guaranteed and I should have all my options open. I was looking into advisory and valuation associate positions at the Big Four firms and was wondering how much networking they require and how much competition is there?
bump
bumperoni
As someone who landed an FT offer in a Big 4 Advisory role I feel that I can actually comment on a thread for once.
It is significantly tougher than one may think. This is mainly due to the limited spaces that the Big 4 have in these departments. They are after all known for their other lines of services (audit, tax, consultancy etc.) which creates the impression that they are hiring lots of people which is true but the bulk of those FT and SA people are in audit and tax.
The recruitment process is very structured and your ability to get to the next stage is ultimately determined by your rigour in completing their tests. Fail them and no amount of networking can save you.
Networking for Big 4 jobs is literally just to get an edge over at the final stages of the application process in their superdays - as many, particularly in the junior levels will speak very frankly about the recruitment process, so I would definitely do a little bit but don't bend your back over.
University prestige doesn't matter as much - there were a whole host of target, semi-target, and non-targets across all lines of service, so I wouldn't worry too much about that in the grand schemes of thing - you literally just need to pass their tests and then you can move on to the next stage.
The biggest factor determining your ability to secure an offer at a Big 4 firm is how quickly you apply. If you are good enough and apply early you will get the offer before the HYP/Oxbridge student who applied a week later.
Can second most of what is said here. Will comment that university prestige does matter to a certain extent depending on the Advisory group you are gunning for. However, as a non-target with a less than sexy GPA, I got the role over some of the Ivy Leaguers who were in the same "superday" as me. Likewise, some of the newer Consultant 1s we get come from top MBA programs, (i.e. Michigan), so there are a wide variety of incoming classes each cycle.
I personally prepared for the interviews like MBB and got the role (despite failing the case study IMO, long story)
How is it TOUGH if the determining factor is that you gotta apply in the first week?
In terms of competition - it is not as competitive as banking but is more competitive than audit/tax as there is a line of those folks internally trying to switch to these groups. Some Big 4 only fill the valuation/advisory slots with ex-audit people, others hire out of undergrad.
Go all in for IB, don't waste your time if you only want to work in IB. It's not all that hard to get into a regional/MM from a non-target school. I'm from a non-target, and I know so many that have come in from similar situations. Just network deep and prepare for behavioral/fit/experience based interviews
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