Considering switching to IB/PE/consulting/etc. Help!
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12 May 2014, 21:51
For a while, I just went with what I knew - my school had a decent accounting program and after pulling up my GPA from rock bottom, I graduated with a 3.17 and worked at an entry-level accounting position for a bit. I am about to finish my MAcc (currently have a 3.73, though I don't know how much my graduate GPA matters compared to my undergraduate GPA) and was going to go into audit (completed an audit internship midway through the program), until I learned about jobs like investment banking, private equity, management consulting, etc. My friend said he figured you can sacrifice a few years of working worse hours in order to be paid more, do something more interesting, not have clients dislike you, and have a more prestigious job.
My question is - what are my chances at having a decent career on these paths with my stats? I know I can't go anywhere near the top firms, but with regards to firms towards the middle:
1) What kind of firms do I have a chance with? Consulting with Accenture? Deloitte Advisory? IB with Moss Adams Capital? etc.
2) What are exit opportunities like from these firms?
3) What is the work-life balance like? Almost as hectic as the top firms?
4) Starting pay?
I'm looking to compare these to say, a Big 4 audit position. If these options look more attractive (and are still reasonably attainable), I'd be interested in applying to these positions instead.