Hi,First of all many thanks for wonderful information being shared by everyone on the portal.Now the dilemma I have been going through – I am a MBA Fin with FRM and CFA Level 1 and experience with an Indian based IT company as Business Analyst (around 3 yrs in UK and as software engg. for 2 yrs in India), I started looking out few months back and have the following options –• Business Analyst on contract basis (500 a day) with BarCap, option of going permanent after 6 months• Second round with Accenture, Deloitte, EY and Capco for Risk and Reg. division.However nothing has finalised as yet but I want to get my preferences right, I don’t think consulting firms will pay me any more than 55 K base (I think I will be offered Sr. Consultant or Executive) and the BarCap option would me much more lucrative from financial standpoint.What do you guys think would be more rewarding considering next 10-15 yrs of timeframeMany Thanks!Ashwin

Just to add my current base salary is 48K and currently working as Sr. BA with a large UK based bankThanks!Ashwin

Will preface this advice with the fact that I've never contracted, but I started in MC when the premium paid was considerably differentiated to industry compared to now. If I was starting again, and based on what you've written, I think I would contract for 3 to 4 years now, bank a lot more cash and probably still gain the same experience. Then go back to a permanent job for 3 to 4 years after that to move up the career ladder and re-evaluate your options at that point. The key is balancing career progression (better for permanent) against financial reward, dipping in and out of permanent market place is probably the best way to balance that.

@LafiteThanks, tends to agree with you, the only trouble is that if I work as contractor BA I won't be having any one reporting to me again for 3,4 years and if I go back to permanent role after 3,4 years with total of 8,9 yrs experience and without having managed any team.. do you think industry would offer me higher level.Other option would be to contract at 500 a day for 6 months and then try and get permanent there with slight paycut (say 75k)Regds,Ashwin

would really appreciate some views :)Thanks

would really appreciate some views :)Thanks

go contracting...in consulting its "jam tomorrow" - contracting the reward is each week when your timesheet is submitted...the business case for contracting v career ladder is very much favoured with contracting...you'll be your own boss effectively, no idiots mucking you around..and a big projects comes along and yuo're trusted, liked etc you'll get given more responsibility..happends all the time..you're the cheaper option that hiring the consultancy anyway..contracting rules..the dude

Contracting is financially more rewarding as long as you can stay billable for at least six months of the year.Contractors generally get trusted to do what they've down before so it can be a little restricting (not always though)Contractors are just as likely to manage teams as permanents.Comparing your contract income to perm salary will cut no ice with recruiters. They will factor in stability, security and benefits when making the comparison. After just six months contracting, most perm recruiters will simply ask you what your pervious perm salary was. They are also likely to assume that you contracting days were a "fill-in" because you could not get a perm role.

@Mr Cool, thanks for sharing your views.. the one I liked most was - "contractors are as likely to manage teams as Perms." not sure about it. but if that's the case then do you think I can ask for Manager level at consulting firms after 2 years if I get to manage teams as a contractor.. or would consulting firms be more likely to discount that management exp.

that's a bit off, Anon