Have 18 months experience and been offered C1 role and money at a smaller firm. I'm keen to do an MBA in a few years so would staying at a big firm like Acn be better for this goal or should I take the money and run?

Need more info - what area do you work in?

Change management / Org. design / Strategy / Training etc.Would like to maximise my earning potential pre-mba but don't want the lack of brand in the boutique which does the same kind of work basically to impact MBA entry.

It's not worth it. Despite the downsides of ACN, a recognised name on your CV is crucial to getting into a decent MBA. Once you have the qualification under your belt, you have much more freedom to take on those risks. I suspect that any small difference in salary now will be far outweighed by the long-term difference that comes with getting into a good vs. not so good MBA.

This is nonsense. What gets you into a good MBA is a evidence of ability and a track record of personal success. It doesn't really matter too much in which field; more grist to your mill if you're an Olympic athlete, fast jet pilot, astronaut etc. They also like a variety of people so it's also a major help if you're in a smaller and hence less competitive category.As such being a corporate drone will not necessarily distinguish you particualrly favourably per se, no matter how sexy you think ACN looks on your CV. Better to be demonstrabl, stand-out, successful - wherever.PS It's only really people at ACN who really think having ACN on your CV is impressive.

PS It's only really people at ACN who really think having ACN on your CV is impressiveIt's only really people who have been turned down at least once by ACN that say this !