Consulting or Corporate Finance: When to make the switch?

I graduated from a non-target with a strong GPA and have been working for a private dairy manufacturer for the past two years as a financial analyst. The company is a great company for people who are looking to settle down and retire, but is not that innovative and is not that well known by the "general public", b-schools, etc.

Right now I have two offers on the table:

My question is: Which one do I take for better exit opportunities and better recognition by business schools, if I eventually want to end up in corporate finance or run my own business?

Choosing Between FLDP And Management Consulting

The consensus among users seems to be that any opportunity you have to work at a F500 FLDP program, is a good move if you’re interested in progressing your career and getting into a major business school, as they are more recognized. They are regarded as just a step below investment banking, corporate strategy or true management consulting
…i've never heard of Baker Tilly, IT implementaion work doens't get a lot of respect, and F500 FLDP programs are generally very well regarded by Business Schools (just a notch below IB, corporate strategy, or a "true"management consulting role).

Certified user @djfiii shares his insight:

Baker Tilly is an accounting firm, and they are only going to get the bullshit implementation work that the Big4 either didn't want, or didn't bother competing for (i.e. not enough money). So basically you'll be underpaid, overworked, get zero "consulting" experience, and have not even have exit ops that are as good as what you'd get coming out of Big4 (which are themselves, only middle of the pack in terms of prestige / exit ops).
The obvious choice is the GM FLPD. It's not even a question. With a strong GPA, you can leverage that into a top MBA program, and then to MBB where you can actually be a consultant.

Read More About Choosing The Right Offer On WSO

 

Implementing NetSuite is not what you want. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with MBB type consulting work. It's an IT job.

Take the GM FLDP all the way. It is better than Baker Tilly by any metric, B-school, pay, exit opps etc..

"Sincerity is an overrated virtue" - Milton Friedman
 
Best Response

Baker Tilly is an accounting firm, and they are only going to get the bullshit implementation work that the Big4 either didn't want, or didn't bother competing for (i.e. not enough money). So basically you'll be underpaid, overworked, get zero "consulting" experience, and have not even have exit ops that are as good as what you'd get coming out of Big4 (which are themselves, only middle of the pack in terms of prestige / exit ops).

I'm confused though - you acknowledge that Baker Tilly isn't true consulting, a la MBB, and then go on to talk about how 2-3 years of consulting provides you with the same exposure that 6-7 years of FA work does. You seem to be thinking that there is some hit in the prestige department, but ultimately, you'd be performing similar enough work that you'd get that same experience in 2-3 years at Baker Tilly. Let's be clear - that will never happen, even after 25 years at Baker Tilly. They don't even play in the same park as MBB.

Unless you enjoy stabbing yourself in the face, the obvious choice is the GM FLPD. It's not even a question. With a strong GPA, you can leverage that into a top MBA program, and then to MBB where you can actually be a consultant.

 

Look. If you think you like consulting, do what feels right. Prestige will mean nothing if you will not enjoy your work. Also, consider if you will be actually doing any work. In my book, it's what you do, not where you work that counts. Stop worrying about the prestige factor.

 

Lazard. Besides it being an easier move from Lazard to MBB, vs. the non-top 10 consulting firm to Lazard or a similar bank... and that Lazard could open more doors in the short and possibly long-term, it gives you a chance to try finance out. Even if you're fully convinced you want to do consulting in the future, it definitely helps to have a well-rounded resume (both a finance background and later consulting) for your MBA. I'm assuming this position is SA so you're doing it for 8-10 weeks...

 

The position is for full time - I've been doing finance somewhere else and transferring in. Just feel consulting might have better experience in this current environment, but Lazard banking still might open more doors despite the reduction in deal flow...

 

My 2 cents -- I was in a similar position with slightly less experience than you. I took the jump to consulting after 5 years, and got great experience and built my network over the next 2 years.

The experience being a revenue driver alone is worth it -- depending on your consulting firm -- you'll get lots of training in different cities, conventions, opportunity for work in other cities, expensed meals, etc. My experience was dampened by projects that didn't really align to my goals, but I feel it was a great stepping stone overall.

I left my corporate finance role as a Senior Financial Analyst, and came back as a Finance Manager. A year later, I was promoted to Director. Experience totally varies, but broadening your experience and giving you a view of "the other side" is worthwhile in my opinion. Especially if you're not yet married / with kids.

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