[MikeG50]

Hi I’m starting at one of the Big 4 in Boston and was wondering whether they do drug testing? And if they do would failing it be enough to rescind an offer?

I smoke marijuana regularly, but obviously would stop if it would impact my employment. I’ve been told that they may drug test for governmental audits as a matter of procedure, but I haven’t heard whether they do it for new hires.

[WestonM]

1. I wouldn't put your name and your illicit activities online. I assume your name is Mike and you either have a middle initial or last initial of G and are starting in a Big 4 in Boston. Starts to narrow it down.

2. If you have to ask this question, Big 4 public accounting may not be for you.

BEC: 93 4/18/13
FAR: 89 7/3/13
REG: 90 8/30/13
AUD: 95 11/29/13

DONE!

[Anonymous]

How can you say “Big 4 may not be for you” for asking if Big 4 drug test? Do you suggest that substance abuse isn't rampant in Big 4 (which clearly, it is)? Seems like a perfectly reasonable question.

[WestonM]

“Do you suggest that substance abuse isn't rampant in Big 4 (which clearly, it is)”

So if everybody is doing it, it is ok?

BEC: 93 4/18/13
FAR: 89 7/3/13
REG: 90 8/30/13
AUD: 95 11/29/13

DONE!

[Anonymous]

To suggest that by smoking some weed someone is disqualified or not fit for working in Big 4 is ignorant.

I'm certainly not saying that substance abuse is a good or productive, however, given your first comment I could see you making that extrapolation. One can still have a very successful career in accounting even if they do abuse alcohol/weed/prescriptions/etc… Just look at the Big 4.

[Path To CPA]

@MikeG50,

I agree with WestonM that you should be careful about divulging to much info in a situation like this. A71 is so popular and frequently visited by several big4 workers including me. Based on what you provided as info and also your username, they can have a good idea of who you are so be careful next time. Besides that, I think your question is a good one and you did well to ask it.

Big4 does not normally do drug test but if you are scheduled to work in a Fed Gov engagement, you will be required to do it. By then you should be clean if you stop smoking as of today. Your offer won't be rescinded because it takes a very complicated process to do so and most employer would rather work something out than take back an offer. It has hidden legal implications.

My best advice for you is to stop immediately smoking the stuff because it can shorten your career, and/or ruin your social life. Seek professional help if you need it but for the love of God, stop today.

REG: 68, 75
AUD: 80
BEC: 77
FAR: 24, 67, 69, 72, 80 Thank you Lord!!!!

Finally Done! Perseverance is the key to success

NYS Licensed CPA - 2013

[WestonM]

“To suggest that by smoking some weed someone is disqualified or not fit for working in Big 4 is ignorant.”

It is a disgrace to the profession.

P.S. Nice reg score, any tips?

BEC: 93 4/18/13
FAR: 89 7/3/13
REG: 90 8/30/13
AUD: 95 11/29/13

DONE!

[Anonymous]

I'm of the view that smoking a little marijuana is equivalent to drinking a glass or two of wine in the evening after work, so with that, I see them as largely equal (and because I don't see drinking a glass of wine as disgraceful, transitively, neither is some marijuana).

For REG, I did every MCQ in Becker after the respective lectures and with the 2 weeks before the test did every MCQ in Wiley Test Bank (~100 per day). The most productive thing I did was take notes on every single question I got wrong, and even on questions I got correct but wanted to reinforce the rule behind it. By the time I took the test I had 6-7 legal pads full of MCQ ‘fact nuggets' (which I skimmed the day before the test).

[Anonymous]

@mikeg50 – Do not stop smoking; instead smoke more, increase your consumption ten fold, and start hitting the heavy OG Kush. or Sour Diesel strains Ideally right before the interview! Also, right before you go to work do a few lines of the old devil's dandruff and possibly take a hit of crystal meth.

Dude seriously? This is your concern? I want your problems! Like I seriously want to trade my beemer payment, mortgage, payroll, staff issues, client acquisitions, the CPA and family life for the ability to worry about your boss finding out I toke up?!

If you smoke pot, you should know enough on how to avoid getting caught at work ! You get the 1bentCPA “I can't believe you just posted that shit look bro 🙂 hahaha

[Anonymous]

Big 4 don't drug test, but clients may require auditors to take one. I remember this one intern chick on my engagement smoked during training last summer then had to take a test that Monday, she sat in the waiting room a few hours and drank probably a gallon of water before finally pissing in a cup. She was still there next week!

If all else fails, you can request to switch clients. That would look super sketch though lol

[calicpa]

i would just quit smoking now and not have to worry about it.

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[MarquetteMadman]

It's funny how this gets tossed around on campus and online.

I was curious if they drug test too. Not because I do anything bad, or would even possibly fail, but I just hate random drug tests. I always get the feeling it's like a lie detector and even if I tell the truth there's a minuscule chance .0000001 I fail. Yeah yeah yeah I'm over reacting. Forget everything I just said.

FAR: 78
AUD: 71, Aug 27
REG: 77
BEC: 80

[MintsRGood]

I smell a troll…with a case of the munchies.

If you are asking a serious question then you may want to consider using a more discrete user id on a public and widely read site by those in the CPA community! I wouldn't risk my job for a vice. Time to stop partying and start working! Your body will thank you for it in a few years.

The difference between having a glass of wine and smoking pot is that one legal and the other is illegal…unless you live in Colorado but I'm pretty sure you can't pick it up at the grocery store just yet there! 😉

Bottom line: Don't let your extracurricular activities (whatever they may be) get in the way of your career!!!!!!!!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[wizards8507]

“A member shall not commit an act discreditable to the profession.”

NY CPA

[mla1169]

I think all new hires at any job should just assume that they will be drug tested. If you quit for a little while and they DON'T test you, big deal. If you can't go without long enough to pass a test on the chance that they do, then you've got bigger problems than landing a job at big 4.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[memmy29]

Haha! Yes, watch what you post online. Definitely not a great idea to include a name, initial and city.

Seems like an offer like that would be worth putting down the “green” for a month. Good luck.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[Author]

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