Hi all,
I'm deciding between an Analyst role at J.P. Morgan (not in Investment Banking) and an Advisory role at a Big 4 firm.
In terms of brand name, pay, and exit opportunities, which option would give me a better shot at eventually breaking into a bulge bracket investment banking role?
Would appreciate any insights- Thanks in advance!
J.P. Morgan (Analyst) wins for brand prestige and finance-centric exposure, boosting direct networking with IB teams. Big 4 Advisory offers broader operational/consulting skills but requires aggressive pivoting for IB.
Pay: J.P. Morgan likely higher.
Exit Ops: J.P. Morgan’s name accelerates BB IB prospects vs. Big 4’s consulting-heavy path.
P.S. Pair either role with ACCA via Mirchawala’s to sharpen financial acumen and stand out in IB recruitment.
Succinct, highlights key trade-offs, and ties ACCA to career agility.
Hey there,
If your goal is to break into IB at a bulge bracket, J.P. Morgan is the stronger brand, even if it’s not in IB. The JPM name carries more weight on your resume than a Big 4 advisory role, and internal mobility within the bank could be a solid path.
That said, which non-IB role at JPM matters. If it's something finance-related (corporate banking, markets, risk, etc.), you’ll be closer to the action. If it’s a back-office role, the jump to IB will be much tougher.
Big 4 advisory can also be a path to IB, but generally, it’s a longer and less direct route than being at a major bank.
Bottom line: If the JPM role is even somewhat relevant to finance, take it. If it’s totally unrelated, then a strong Big 4 advisory role could be the better move. Hope that helps!
Hey, choosing between a J.P. Morgan Analyst role (non-IB) and a Big 4 Advisory role depends on your goal of breaking into bulge bracket investment banking (IB). J.P. Morgan’s brand name carries more weight in finance, especially for roles in corporate banking, markets, or risk, which offer closer proximity to IB teams and better networking opportunities. Pay at J.P. Morgan is typically higher, with front-office analysts earning ~$100k–$110k base in NYC, compared to Big 4 advisory roles, which start at ~$75k–$90k. For exit opportunities, J.P. Morgan provides a stronger, more direct path to IB due to its prestige and internal mobility options, especially if the role is finance-related. A Big 4 advisory role, while respected, often requires a longer route, such as moving to a valuation or transaction advisory group first, to pivot into IB.
To maximize your chances, if the J.P. Morgan role is in a finance-adjacent area (e.g., corporate banking), take it for the brand and networking edge. At a Big 4, focus on M&A advisory or transaction services to build relevant skills like financial modeling, as these are more transferable to IB. Both paths can work, but J.P. Morgan’s name and exposure give you a head start, especially for competitive offices like NYC or London. Network aggressively with IB teams, polish your technical skills (e.g., DCF, LBO), and consider certifications like ACCA to stand out. Let me know if you need help tailoring your approach for either path!
