Big 4 Advisory OR I Banking??? Your thoughts?

JMIONE1 · 11-07-2007, 05:24 PM

Hi All,

I am currently split between Big 4 Advisory and I-Banking

The big 4 have done all their recruiting (at least most of it) in the FALL a change since they normally do it in the spring with all the I-Banks. I applied to them for their advisory practice:

E&Y Financial Services Office Advisory
PwC Financial Management and Analysis Advisory
KPMG Advisory
Deloitte Advisory

I have offers from Deloitte and KPMG, though I am expecting offers from EY and PwC.
I am expecting to be competitive for I-Banks given that I go to a top 10 B school and have great stats.

My problem is that the big 4 are going to expect answers around November 30 and as you know I have yet to apply for any I-Banks.

I bet there are other people in this predicament, and I just trying to get peoples thoughts on this problem?

How do people compare Big 4 Advisory vs I-Banking (besides the common ones like longer hours and more money)???

Things I would like to know…
How are the opportunities to get into a Top 10 MBA program from Big 4 advisory?
How much does the advisory side of a Big 4 make?
Anyone done Big 4 advisory if so what was his or her experience with it?

Thanks!

"Crazy not Stupid"

futurenyustudent · 11-07-2007, 07:17 PM

Shouldn't you get the offers in IB before you start thinking IB vs. consulting?

JMIONE1 · 11-07-2007, 09:53 PM

Yea I agree with you futureNYUstudent, but I feel I would be competitive in the I-banking pool. More importantly, these advisory positions (aka consulting) are looking to close their offers in late November or early December, 3 months before Ibanks start looking at interns. So I will never really be able to compare them side by side.

My question is not so much on can I get in.....more on the pros and cons of each field. Which will lead to 1) accepting in the next two weeks or 2) saying no to the big 4 and waiting for IB in the spring.

thatbiggbadwolfy · 11-07-2007, 10:12 PM

Take the KPMG offer.... you probably won't get an ibank offer since it's "the time" for hiring freezes.

How are your quant skills? (Not just creative consulting thinking)

futurenyustudent · 11-07-2007, 11:40 PM

I agree, take the consulting offer, especially IBs won't even look at intern applications until spring like you said....you might want to ask around on culture at KPMG and Deloitte to decide where you would fit in better....it's very important that you like what you're doing but it's also very important that you like the people you're working with.

By the way, Congratulations, e-champagnes on me.

thatbiggbadwolfy · 11-07-2007, 11:44 PM

Ditto, 2 eprops from me. Getting a non-accounting job at the Big 4 is no small feat. Be sure to ask lots of questions about their "culture," lateral movement, tuition reimbursement (if they offer it for business school), and get to know your future employees. It won't even be work if you love your coworkers.

Some of our top MDs (where I work) come from KPMG and auditing firms.