MNC but low salary or "lousy" firm but higher salary?
 

Would like to seek opinions:

As a fresh grad, would you rather 1) work in a prestigious MNC but low salary or 2) a not very famous and usually unheard of company but with relatively higher salary?

Will working in a prestigious MNC like big 4 build your resume for future career jumps?

Brand name of course helps, but I think it comes down to the role you are doing and the line you are in. Does either role value add to your skillsets?

When you mention big 4, I assume you are an accounting grad. I would like to think the top accounting grads head to either banks or big MNCs finance MA programs. For the rest of the students, its like a factory, but no harm no foul I suppose. Starting off in big 4 doesn't hurt (save the salary). I would definitely choose big 4 option other than some no name company if that were the case.

Lol I was wondering what's the issue because prestigious companies usually pay well...

Big 4 isn't prestigious at all man. It's where the rejects go. All the top students go to IB, PB or top MA finance programs and they pay VERY well.

I'm assuming you got an offer from a big4 and considering it against another firm.

First, is this smaller firm well known at least in the industry its in? Even though the pay is crappy, big4 is a relatively good starting point. You can always jump between big4 and get a pay bump each time. By your 4th or 5th year, with enough luck, you could be bringing in 5k to 6k and sometimes 7k.

I will choose the mnc. Singaporean employers tend to be very brand conscious. They see a big brand name on your resume then they think youbare very satki already.

Big 4 isn't considered a prestigious MNC - like another poster said, it is somewhat known as a sweatshop factory taking in mass number of rejects from other places.

Having said that, it all depends on what are your career aspirations. If you want to stay nimble and traverse in the SME space you can stick with the unheard company. Sometimes SMEs can promote faster with better pay, but the drawback is career ceiling is considerably lower.

If your career aspirations are to join a prestigious mnc (not big 4, real big mncs), then it might be better to stick with a big 4 as MNCs are usually bias against SME experience. It is very rare for an accountant to start off with a SME and then move to a mid career level in MNC. They tend to write off candidates who only have SME experience.

Total nonsense from someone who dunno anything. Many CFO from MNC is from small audit firm and work their way up. It is the work ability that count, not rubbish like weather ur from Big 4 or not.

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