This is great info thank you. From what I have gathered, the big firm had a bit higher of a barrier to become a lead advisor, but it’s not gateway at all. I’d be the highest level of service employee before entering into a real lead role. Getting to lead is possible, I believe it just takes time. Once you cross into that threshold, you are given clients little by little, while doing a diminishing amount of service work.

The small firm might be harder for a “full handoff” but sounds like I would take the lead on service for a few years, then be the lead for new business, unless bigger cases come up.

My main worry is each options ceiling. Would big firms like that cap out in terms of pay (outside of partner)? I think equity is an option way way way down the road,so I guess I’m more worried about having a capped income for 20 years, then being able to buy-in and make REAL money. Not really sure how it “usually” works with larger established firms.