Any feedback would be highly appreciated

[Fresh]

Which of the three choices would be the best stepping stone to get an entry into Corporate Finance or IB -
1. Assistant Client Relationship Manager at a Bank
2. Audit Associate with one of the Big 4
3. Back Office operations support of a derivatives team - involves documentation and settlements of a leading investment bank.

 

[Level 2 guy]

Pick your poison....

I'd go with 1.

2,3 would be no go.

 

[Ramzan]

3rd option is better bcoz u will getting multiple tasks related to corporate finance and in documentation u will be getting the basics related to this field.

 

[jamespucyk]

I would say is the least beneficial, it's too far up the accounting/compliance road, which in CF/IB, is probibly not what you would want to go for. Back office ops is usually pretty decent and doesn't look that bad on paper for what you want to get into. 1 is good, but is a little too general IMO, although it will make you great in terms of dealing with people, relationship management is too akin to sales and smoozing and not enough finance hands on.

 

[noseykibitzer]

The first one depends on who the clients are, what bank, and what your reponsibilities will be. Beware of the titles though ...may sound great but you end up being just another Series 7 account churner.

If you are analytical and can get through the snoozer of a time in auditing then go for number 2. You can back-door into IB on the deal side through auditing by getting involved in M&A and valuation consulting. You could even go through Towers Perrin and get into Human side of things too. I think there is more opportunity in going this route because if you put in your time you can get into IB, ride the food chain at a Big 4, or go internal on the corporate side.

I am assuming when you say IB you are meaning the deal side not the paper pushing verification/trade clearing or stock jocky pushing annuities side.

Whatever you do don't chase the money...I've known many a guy who is in total misery because they chose IB and thought it was gonna be all Thomas Crowne stuff...far from it "putting lipstick on the pig" is no treat. Do something you actually like and you will thank yourself...work hard and the money will come.