Hello!

In short: it would help A LOT, particularly in the consulting branches. Any chances that you can still recruit for those? Even if the usual recruiting cycle it´s done, having an offer for the Big4 firm -even in other verticals- can give you a good bargaining position, if well played. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi there,

First, congrats on both offers!

There's no getting around this: Quite logically, a consulting role is going to get you closer to MBB than a non-consulting role…I'm sure I don't need to explain to you why!

If your ultimately goal is MBB, then Big4 significantly adds to your resume+network in the MBB realm. Finance takes your towards finance.

That said, be careful in making a choice like this just for a “maybe”. Big4 is not a guarantee to MBB (far from it). So, your future might be Big4 full stop. Come in with the mindset/expectation - if you want to do consulting, then be happy with Big4 and give it your all - MBB should be the “bonus” at the end!

Hi there,

There's a great number of people in MBB who used BIG4 as a stepping stone. This should be encouraging!

However, it's just one aspect of the various elements that have to come together on your CV. The other elements being an excellent academic record, perhaps some entrepreneurial work, extra-curricular activities where you demonstrated some leadership, etc.

Bottom line, BIG4 works great in combination but not necessarily alone.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

People join MBB after management consulting at smaller firms all the time. Realistically, your odds are much higher if you do management consulting at the Big 4 followed by an MBA at a top 10 school (for which admission should be pretty easy once you complete 2-3 years at the big 4).

However, many people also just complete a few years at other firms and transfer over directly to MBB as an Associate. You will need to network to get recommendations but these should not be very difficult to get. 

I would not recommend MSc in finance for MBB, that is not at all a target program and you will be wasting both time and money if you do not want to end up in finance after it.

Best,

Udayan

(edited)

Hi there,

A big 4 consulting role can help significantly more than a Masters. 

I know multiple candidates who didn't pass the screening on the grounds of not having sufficient ‘consulting experience or interest’. Basically you want your CV to say two things:

1. You have a long-term interest in consulting - proved by these x experiences of working / collaborating / whatever
2. You have consultant-like skills - proved by having worked / volunteered in …

Additionally, doing the consultant job develops your critical thinking and structuring abilities, which then helps you be more prepared for the interview. 

Any meaningful real world consulting experience is worth more than anything else. So, the BIG 4 role will really help you if you want to go further. Its as simple as that.

All the best.