Hi everyone,
I’m facing a tough decision between two job opportunities and would love some advice from people with experience in these fields.
Option 1: Financial modeling and valuation analyst at one of the major accounting firms
Option 2: Investment banking analyst at a boutique firm (very small team, around 8 people total with just a couple of main clients)
My background: I have a finance degree from about 5 years back, plus around 3 years working in audit and fund administration roles.
I’m wondering if my current skill set will translate well to either position. Will I be able to pick up the technical requirements fast enough? I know both roles involve different types of analysis and client work, but I’m not sure which one would be a better match for someone coming from my background.
Any thoughts on which path might be easier to transition into? Thanks for any advice you can share!
Been there with the finance career choice - definitely go boutique IB. Yeah, smaller team might feel intimidating, but you’ll get way more exposure and responsibility from day one. Your audit background is actually perfect since you already know financials inside and out. The hands-on deal experience will level up your skills fast. Learning curve’s steep, but you’ll grow way faster working on deals that actually matter.
Your audit background makes you perfect for either role, but I’d go with the financial modeling position at the accounting firm. The switch will be way easier since you already know corporate environments and regulatory stuff from auditing. Big accounting firms have solid training programs and mentorship - you’ll need that when learning valuation skills. You’ll be doing financial analysis, DCF models, and due diligence work that directly connects to your audit experience. Sure, boutique IB might get you promoted faster, but it’s a much steeper learning curve with way less support. The accounting firm role builds skills you can take anywhere - corporate finance, consulting, or bigger investment banks down the road.
Your audit background is perfect for this - that attention to detail will serve you well! Both options work, but I’d lean toward the boutique IB role. With a small team, you’ll get way better mentorship and direct access to partners. You’ll learn so much faster.
Both options kinda suck, but I’d go with the big firm. That 8-person boutique will work you to death with no training - you’ll be the new guy doing all the grunt work around the clock. The big firm actually has resources and won’t throw you to the wolves on day one. Yeah, it’s not as flashy as IB, but your audit background is perfect for it. And when that boutique loses a client or two (which happens), you’ll be first out the door.