I'm looking for some input on a decision that has come my way. Looking to best position myself to transfer to MM firm in a year or two. Graduated 2014. Low-ish (not high) G.PA, BUS/ACC Major from good (non-target) state school.
Micro Boutique Investment Banking Shop -
Small less that 10 person office.
2 MD's
A ton of M&A / Valuation deal flow
Non major city
Good pay
Very specialized, -- Very
Private company work clients
Vs.
Big 4 Audit LA
Possible Valuation Transfer
| +171 | Why UBS Is the Worst Place to Start Your IB Career | 32 | 3m |
| +159 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 39 | 7h |
| +115 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 74 | 6h |
| +65 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 20 | 6h |
| +54 | Indiana University Fraternity Pipelines | 34 | 5h |
| +42 | Rogo AI | 18 | 1h |
| +39 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 12 | 1d |
| +37 | Elite Boutique interview questions | 8 | 1d |
| +33 | Suspended for a Year | 12 | 4h |
| +22 | 1st Half 2026 (1H26) RX IB & RX Co. Rankings | 14 | 2d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Had the exact same choice, go with the bank, transferring to a MM firm is totally possible (I did it within 6 months). The auditing won't be transferable at all, whereas the bank experience will be great in interviews, even if it is a no name shop.
labanker28 - Thank you, just what I was looking for. Congrats on the MM position.
Thanks man. Just study as much interview prep material as possible when your at the boutique, interviews can and will pop out of nowhere
In banking, experience > brand name. It is easier to lateral from a no-name boutique in the middle of nowhere than it would be from Goldman Sachs operations. The skills you will gain at a Big Four auditing position, although valuable, are completely irrelevant to banking.
Outside of banking, this may make sense, but in banking, even considering Big Four over a legitimate bank makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Good luck!
I agree with all of the above about going IB, but questions "Very specialized, -- Very." What does this mean? Sector focused? Product focused?
And by non-major city, do you mean somewhere like Des Moines or Philly?
Dingdong -- Sector focused e.g. Healthcare, Telecommunication, Oil & Gas. And somewhere like Duhram NC, but with a few less banks.
I would def take the boutique. If the other guys there are good to work with you may really like it.
You have to give more info on the boutique. Like others have said, you need to define what "specialized" means.
They can be "specialized" in lower MM M&A, or they can be specialized in community banks. The latter is much less transferable.
Is specializing in community banks viewed negatively? I'm debating on a boutique focused on community banks vs a non banking job. Obviously trying to transfer to a bigger ib within a year to two years
well if you want banking, obviously go with a banking job...
It's much easier to transfer from boutique to banking than from big 4 to banking.
Fugiat optio molestiae cumque ducimus consectetur. Culpa perspiciatis dolor hic nesciunt ducimus aut. Quia aut eum omnis adipisci consequuntur sed. Assumenda autem veritatis repudiandae necessitatibus. Atque enim consequuntur eos delectus illum sunt maiores eos. Et perspiciatis qui error facere fuga. Consectetur quaerat dolorem adipisci.
Veniam consectetur soluta nobis quia non autem dignissimos. Non placeat totam nisi tempore aut possimus. Inventore inventore et laboriosam fugiat sint. Quibusdam omnis fugiat consequatur quod. Nam quae quas maiores quia optio consequatur laudantium. Sit saepe amet qui deserunt magni et est.
Perspiciatis omnis ut aut qui reiciendis eos. Esse hic ut et facere deleniti nulla. Soluta molestias enim delectus aut aut sit.
Aut voluptas vel laudantium et totam quidem. Voluptas recusandae voluptas similique itaque sapiente quia dolores dolor.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...