<p>There are two themes to this post:</p>
<li><p>How do the initial 3-4 years spent as a CPA at a Big 4 accounting firm compare with those same years as an analyst at an investment bank? Specifically, how do the pay, quality of life, work week, and top MBA school chances differ?</p></li>
<li><p>My ultimate goal is to work in investment banking; however, I don’t know whether to work as an analyst or CPA after a combined masters/bachelors degree in either finance or accounting, respectively. After 3-4 years working as either a CPA or analyst I intend to go back to school for my MBA, preferably at a top b-school, and work as an associate at an investment bank. I am concerned about how everyone says IB will burn you out; I am prepared to work 80 or 100+ hour weeks as an associate because the pay warrants it, whereas I feel those same work weeks as an analyst are not worth it. Could someone please weigh in on my thoughts?</p></li>
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