Scottish Elises

Does anybody here work for them, or know much about the Company? Clare has a position with PwC(Price Waterhouse Cooper) starting in August as a Management Consultant.

However she has just been asked by J P Morgan to go down to London for a second interview, she did one a while ago but presumed that she did not get through, for a position as an Investment Banker. She has nothing to lose as all her expenses are paid, but if she is accepted then she will have to make a choice between the two. She will get employment details at the interview so that would make it easier, but I presume there is little between the two Company's when making a career choice.

tut

Tut,

not much help but I recently had JP auditors in my work and, whilst talking about the Apprentice, they were talking very highly of PWC..... Almost as if they aspired to work there!!

Karl

Thanks Karl.

tut

I think the GF's brother-in-law works for them, or has done, will ask.

Tut - both are very very highly rated.

PwC opp sounds good. This does too though.

I think the big diff for Clare will be what "time lines" they have in place for her.

Regardless, definately worth doing the interview as it will be great experience and give her a feel for the place.

Another thing i would specifically get her to ask is if she can speak to someone who applied and went on to do the job that she is going for.

I dont know why more people dont do this in the UK, but its more common place in North America. Allows you to show you are thinking just as much about it being the right match for yourself, and for the employer.

Will email Clare my response also

ps - emailed my mate whos wife works for PwC, and I'm sure one of his mates is an invetsment banker for JP Morgan

For my 2p I'll say PwC will provide greater variety of experiences and a stronger foundation for future career choices, including with other firms or other sectors.

I don't know JP Morgan as an employer, naturally, but they are in a different field to PwC.

One thing in favour of JP, however, might be that they expect less "living out of a suitcase" than Coopers (as I still tend to call 'em...)...however they probably still expect 12 hour shifts and their appropriate pound of flesh all the same...

Great opportunities whatever.

Campbell

Tut

I work in investment management accounting / investment management operations and deal with both these firms a lot.
Both are very large, global organisations and have a good reputation for looking after their staff. Being so large, it is dfficult to say which one is best as depends exactly what role she gets within the headline title of investment banker / management consultant. With JPM, I would make sure the role is explained well as US banks tend to give out very glittzy titles and the actual role may be quite different. For example they use titles such as Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Senior Vice President along with role titles. An AVP sounds quite important on its own until you find out that's quite a junior mgmt role and there are literally thousands of them. But the investment bank side is definitiely the best part of it. Best to avoid the custody or administration centres. With JPM there might be more of a risk of being a number unless she can make sure her dept is quite a niche. Make sure she asks things like dept size, reporting lines etc.

PwC, being one of the big 4 accounting firms, I think she has more of an opprtunity to specialise. They do so much more than auditing and again investment consulting is probably one of the more diverse areas. A good chance she will be up against/working with some very high calibre people and a lot of qualifying CA's - even on the mgmt consulting side as opposed to audit. The big 4 firms basically have the pick of the top accounting uni grads.
It is very dependent on the role, but if I had to pick not knowing anything further, I think PwC might be better for the range of roles she could undertake in future, both within management consulting and at the company. Also shorter term, if whatever company she picked didn't work out, I would be more attracted to a CV with 2 years at PwC rather than JPM. Having an audit firm background is viewed very highly in most financial roles, particularly a big 4 firm. Person is often viewed as being methodical, controlled, diligent and thorough - even if not in audit or that's not actually the case! People also tend to stay at PwC for a long time which I would see as a good sign. I see loads of CVs from people who have worked at JPM and it is quite rare to see someone who has left and moved on from PwC. On the very long term, she might have the chance of partnership at PwC ??!
Happy to share more if she wanted to PM me.

Neither will be a bad thing.
I'd go with the best £/package.

Gareth wrote: I'd go with the best £/package.

What about prospects, work-life balance, etc, though? Surely it's not all about the $$$.

campbell wrote:

Gareth wrote: I'd go with the best £/package.

What about prospects, work-life balance, etc, though? Surely it's not all about the $$$.

All covered under package....
What does it matter anyway...Claire will be knocked up and bringing up kids soon enough. Leave the work to the men....


Mwah!

LOL

It's not often you make me laugh with you Gareth, but I allowed myself a chuckle there. Keep 'em coming!

Good luck Clare, btw, whatever you choose.

Watch your six Gareth, not only did you spell her name wrongly, but she is one hell of a feminist and a ball crusher into the bargain.

She reckons that you are more likely to get pregnant before she does, she is not a baby person.

tut

Ryannnn's brother was with JP Morgan.

They offered him a promotion in Australia and paid all his relocation and then some. That's all I know about them though.

tut wrote:Watch your six Gareth, not only did you spell her name wrongly, but she is one hell of a feminist and a ball crusher into the bargain.

She reckons that you are more likely to get pregnant before she does, she is not a baby person.

tut

Some of us thought he already was

He shops for cars like women shop for shoes