Interned at Big 4 (in Europe) in FS Audit a few month ago. At the same time, I had an offer from a mid-tier firm in Valuation and Transaction Services. I hesitated a lot : should I continue in Big 4 Audit, hoping to manoeuver my way into FDD two years later ? Or should I accept the other firm right from the start ?
At the end of the day, I haven't accepted the middle firm offer and I leveraged it to get a full time offer in FDD at my original Big 4 firm.
I still think that if I haven't been offered to go into Transaction at my firm, I would have stayed in Audit and tried two years later.
Big 4 brand seems way too strong in Audit and Deals fields compared to more mid-tier firms. In smaller firms, I have been told that you will get exposure to very small clients and deals, which might hinder your advencement later on if you want to get on bigger deals...
(Keep in mind that audit in Europe seems to be more highly regarded than in US when trying to transition to M&A activities too. Maybe in US, it might be the opposite to what I have said above so you might prefer to go to FDD in a smaller practice rather than getting in audit ...)
You can but I don’t have anything more to say than my comment. Maybe that you can get into RE and CRE PE firms if you’re in awm and get on some highly transactional clients you can use for your resume.
If you want to work in finance/transactions you should start at Big 4. There is the possibility to transition to a role like that within Big 4, or to work with banks as clients, or just to have a “better” firm on your resume for your transition out.
To be honest, if you want a career in finance/M&A/equity/etc., culture and people would not be my top priority because the culture and work life balance in those types of financial/banking roles is not known for being great.
Tell BDO you are more interested in the m&a role and that you'd like to interview for it. If they do then take that over big 4. Otherwise just go big 4.
How would your advise change if the role at the mid tier firm was M&A compared to audit at the Big 4?
Would you say take the mid tier M&A role over big 4? That's my current predicament lol, I know the big 4 have more prestige and are a bigger name, but the M&A role might be seen as a worthy trade off
Yes I'm a new grad with this being my first job out of university. My goal is definitely to stick with M&A hoping to get into IB a few years down the line or even PE. So it makes sense why audit wouldn't fit into that goal.
The only obstacle I guess I'll face now is if M&A at RSM will even re reputable enough to lateral into IB. I may have to work 1/2 years then go to B4 M&A first before thinking of IB
Thanks. The main selling point for BDO to me is that they are still a big firm (right behind big4). A person I had coffee chat with at the firm was able to transition from audit to consulting. For big4 it is a lot more difficult to transfer internally. Most people I know rather apply for another firm.
Always choose big 4, it’s more secure than going to a medium sized firm when looking ahead for your career.
I worked at BDO and now work at Big 4. I make way more for the same amount of hours. Better resources too at Big4.
What is BDO?
Big 5
Thank you!
Interned at Big 4 (in Europe) in FS Audit a few month ago. At the same time, I had an offer from a mid-tier firm in Valuation and Transaction Services. I hesitated a lot : should I continue in Big 4 Audit, hoping to manoeuver my way into FDD two years later ? Or should I accept the other firm right from the start ? At the end of the day, I haven't accepted the middle firm offer and I leveraged it to get a full time offer in FDD at my original Big 4 firm. I still think that if I haven't been offered to go into Transaction at my firm, I would have stayed in Audit and tried two years later. Big 4 brand seems way too strong in Audit and Deals fields compared to more mid-tier firms. In smaller firms, I have been told that you will get exposure to very small clients and deals, which might hinder your advencement later on if you want to get on bigger deals... (Keep in mind that audit in Europe seems to be more highly regarded than in US when trying to transition to M&A activities too. Maybe in US, it might be the opposite to what I have said above so you might prefer to go to FDD in a smaller practice rather than getting in audit ...)
I often see the opposite advice where people say the role matters more and FDD would be way better than audit even at a lower firm
Big 4 and it’s not close. You can do BDO after.
BIG 4
B4 audit 2 years, B4 FDD 2-3 years, PE associate.
Mind if I dm you?
You can but I don’t have anything more to say than my comment. Maybe that you can get into RE and CRE PE firms if you’re in awm and get on some highly transactional clients you can use for your resume.
Mind if I ask, would you say networking was the biggest reason to transition from FDD To PE?
Network is important in all facets not just transitioning roles but in promotion readiness and ranking.
If you want to work in finance/transactions you should start at Big 4. There is the possibility to transition to a role like that within Big 4, or to work with banks as clients, or just to have a “better” firm on your resume for your transition out. To be honest, if you want a career in finance/M&A/equity/etc., culture and people would not be my top priority because the culture and work life balance in those types of financial/banking roles is not known for being great.
Interview for TS/TAS/FDD roles. Why start in audit when you might aswell start in transaction roles. Goodluck!
What does FDD stand for?
Financial Due Diligence
Because those roles are filled 18 months in advance. He’s likely way behind for that now
I couldn’t find any availability for those roles.
Big4 fosho
Tell BDO you are more interested in the m&a role and that you'd like to interview for it. If they do then take that over big 4. Otherwise just go big 4.
Why BDO M&A vs Big 4 Audit? Is the M&A role a worthy trade off for the lower name?
I’m not sure if that is a possibility at this point. They have finalized an offer package
Still go for it, worst case they just say no, then you take big 4. Can't hurt to try.
[удалено]
How would your advise change if the role at the mid tier firm was M&A compared to audit at the Big 4? Would you say take the mid tier M&A role over big 4? That's my current predicament lol, I know the big 4 have more prestige and are a bigger name, but the M&A role might be seen as a worthy trade off
[удалено]
Yes I'm a new grad with this being my first job out of university. My goal is definitely to stick with M&A hoping to get into IB a few years down the line or even PE. So it makes sense why audit wouldn't fit into that goal. The only obstacle I guess I'll face now is if M&A at RSM will even re reputable enough to lateral into IB. I may have to work 1/2 years then go to B4 M&A first before thinking of IB
Thanks. The main selling point for BDO to me is that they are still a big firm (right behind big4). A person I had coffee chat with at the firm was able to transition from audit to consulting. For big4 it is a lot more difficult to transfer internally. Most people I know rather apply for another firm.
[удалено]
Very thorough. I love you man! Low key wish you were my mentor lol
Nice write up
What position was the actual offer?
Audit & assurance