[markiux88]

Anyone here works for the Big 4????

[Anonymous]

I don't know about all this criticism about small firms. I'm starting at a regional firm next week (only 4 locations at various metro locations throughout California) — they have great benefits and a higher starting salary than any of the Big 4 (I've asked numerous classmates from school and my Becker classes). Sure, the name is not as prestigious as the Big 4, but I think it's a great start for a fresh college graduate. Not only do you learn more (I will be doing tax, audit, and consulting), and I think there's great chance for advancement at a smaller firm than vs. a Big 4.

I've spoke to a few ex-partners from the Big 4 and the reason they decided to leave is because they felt as if advancing through the ranks became highly political. There is a lot of ass kissing and bending over if you want to move to the top. If you're a straight-forward guy like me and can't stand bullshitting, Big 4 is not for you.

Do I still wish I could have been accepted at a Big 4? Most definitely. The only reason to slave away for 1-2 years at a Big 4 is to have that title on your resume, which will carry you throughout your career and open doors for you. However, if you want more work/life balance and career advancement, a smaller firm should definitely be considered.

[ROACH]

How old are you guys anyways? I'm thinking about going back to get my masters in XXX (accounting related). The point really is to network and try to get recruited into BIG4.. thing is… by the time I graduate.. I'll be 29ish.. maybe even 30 (jesus).

I don't even work in public right now. Just a staff accountant. Hours aren't bad and I should be passing all exams first try within the next 8 months.

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[Anonymous]

I work for a big four firm…just got home from a 13 hour day…I love every minute of it. You're going to pay with your blood, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.

[misanthrope87]

@baseball That sounds kinda scary and weird. What's even more strange is that you enjoy it.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[wannabetxacctnt]

I just started work at a big 4 firm this July and while I think it's great experience particularly when kicking off your career, be prepared to live and breathe work:( there is absolutely no work life balance, and waaaay too much office politics. It makes sense to stick it out for 3-4 years and then run as fast you can to find a job that won't make you cookoo!

Aud 83

Reg 83

BEC 73, 78

FAR-11/30

[Anonymous]

I work for PwC Qatar, after working 1 year at KPMG Egypt

[IamBlessed]

@CA_Future_CPA_1222 — I heard from The Reznick Group but as i mentioned according to them i dont have enough experience ‘multitasking'

How do you guys feel about saving an internal recruiters phone number or email address and calling/emailing them and notifying them of your interest in the company? is that a little odd or normal?

[Anonymous]

@ IamBlessed I don't know what the “multi-tasking” thing means. Either that person was an idiot, or you need to make your resume say that you're a detailed oriented person who can learn quickly.

@CannotPassAgain. How do you know you learn more at a small firm than you do at a big firm? At a big firm you stard handling small pieces of a bigger picture and by the time you're two to three years in as Senior, you're essentially running that “bigger picture” project. Plus the Big 4 invests so much time and so many resources to send you to all sorts of local and national trainings. So tell me, how you learn more at a smaller firm? Smalelr firms don't generallty handle public clients.

[Anonymous]

I was at a regional firm, two offices, about 150 employees, and we had alot of public clients, and even some clients with international offices. After my first year, i was able to perform as a senior soup to nuts all aspects of the audit, including sox compliance audits. I could write all the managemet letters, audit equity and allowance, even audited other real estate owned and allowance for loan loss at banks during this whole financial institution meltdown. I also worked by myself on IPO's At a Big 4, I would still be auditing cash and AP!!!

We also had about 6-8 days of CPE training a year.

So yes, at a Big 4 you get the name recongnition, and maybe in 3-4 years you make senior and start auditing something other than cash and AP. At a really small local tax firm, yes you are alot less likely to get the same audit experience and formal training.

But all the hundreds of regional and mid-sized firms in between? THAT is where I think there is the most opportunitity.

[markiux88]

I was just curious because I've always had in mind working for any of the Big 4 and thought that if you work for the Big 4, then you would not have time to be on here..loll..flawed assumption..lol…Too bad I'm 23 already….Must be exciting to work there unlike this crappy job…..

[Anonymous]

@CalCPASoon. I mostly agree with you regarding mid size firms, but associates at the Big 4 aren't audting cash and A/P for 4 years. You vastly underestimate what they can do.

[mrcpa]

You get a lot more responsiblity in Big4 then you claim @CalCPA. Some days I wish I could just audit cash 🙁

Licensed - 2012

[Anonymous]

Sorry @mrcpa and @CA_Future…I know I was exaggerating!

[Anonymous]

I currently work for one of the Big 4. I started earlier this year. I originally wanted to look at a regional or local firm, but after weighing the benefits I realized that the experience that you receive at a Big 4 firm is invaluable. I have learned more in 6-8 months than I think I could have in 2-3 years at a Regional or Local Firm. The work is hard and if you plan on working for the Big 4 you should plan on being challenged on a regular basis and working long hours. However, I have noticed that the work you do also depends a lot on the Partner/Senior Manager/Manager that you work for. They come in all different personalities. If you work for a cool Partner and with a cool team you won't be too overworked outside of busy season. However, some of the Partners take completely different attitudes on how they approach engagements/delegate work/don't think things can wait until the next day when in reality many things can.

I agree with some of the posts above that there is a lot of political bs within a Big 4 firm. A lot of the people who rise up the ranks in the firm are the ones who are the most personable and have a great people skills. They are not necessarily the most intelligent ones or the ones who are the best at sitting down and auditing to their hearts content. It it also important to develop a good relationship/friendship with the Partner who recruits you. If you do this then you will be put on higher profile engagements/with better teams. The individuals who are put on high profile engagements are often the ones who are noticed for high level performance and the ones that the firm will emphasis on keeping with the firm long term. Once again politics.

On getting hired. I do know that the the Big 4 focus a tremendous amount of time on recruiting on-campus. I also know multiple people in my office who came in as experienced hires. Being an experienced hire can be seen a regression at the beginning when you work for a Big 4 firm. I know of Managers who were hired from Regional firms who came in as Seniors and Seniors who came in as Staff 1 or 2 level when they first started. Most of them say they do not believe they could have operated effectively and efficiently at the Senior or Manager level with the experience they had in their previous jobs. I know my firm has put them on a faster track to be promoted to their old position instead of promoting them in normal fashion. To be an experienced hire I think it is important to know someone who already works for a Big 4 firm in order to have an IN. When trying to impress the Big 4 whether being a campus recruit or experience hire looking for a position I think it is important to exhibit confidence in your ability and strong social skills. The Firm has your resume so they know what you are capable of. They are typically looking for one more you can offer beyond your resume. The thing that I noticed that was of the utmost importance was having a strong knowledge of the firm and asking good questions. Also, have the balls to ask questions that other people would not ask. Also, don't be afraid of the Big 4. It is important to treat the people who are recruiting you as being on more of a personal level. Don't be scared to “Shoot the shit” as they say.

I am very happy with my job at the current point in time and honestly really do enjoy what I do. I would like to think I will be working with my firm for years to come, but that is difficult to say at this point. I never know how my career is going to progress or know what opportunities may arise in the future. What I do know is that I have made many invaluable contacts with clients and developed a lot of relationships in a short period of time. Whether I end up being a Partner one day working in corporate accounting in a distinguished position, or starting my own company I think working at a Big 4 is setting the tone for a successful future. That is my piece.

[valueofnothing]

count me in. started in september; normal job is transactions diligence but currently doing a rotation in what most companies would call TAS (technical accounting). campus hire.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[Author]

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