M&A Deal Flow - Boutiques

[Calculator]

Any users work for a boutique IB and care to give an insight into what its like compared to the larger banks?

I am considering a move to a boutique (a first move into M&A as a CA) and was hoping to get an insight into real world boutique experiences (acknowledging that all are different) and how deal flow during the recession may differ?

On the surface it seems like a great first move, with more of a chance to get more involved in all aspects of a deal compared to a larger bank (which aren't hiring at associate level anyway at the minute).