Micro Boutique Investment Banking Shop Vs. Big 4 Audit

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

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