[onmywhey]

Hi All,

Starting an internship with Big 4 tax soon, I am looking to get the best experience, contribute, learn, and pay my dues for 5 years till manager and then hopefully jump ship to something with better work/life balance.

Going through recruiting my impression is that those in tax stay in public accounting longer, can anyone substantiate this? Is it due to less opportunities or that people stick around because tax hours aren’t as bad as public?

My impression with Big 4 tax is that exit opps are very limited and you need to be cream of the crop to leave…

[kts1010]

We'll you got two options pretty much with tax after public. You got corporate or start your own firm. If you want to do corporate finance or accounting I would recommend you do audit, unless you love taxes than just expect tax returns/tax research are going to be your career.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[kts1010]

We'll you got two options pretty much with tax after public. You got corporate or start your own firm. If you want to do corporate finance or accounting I would recommend you do audit, unless you love taxes than just expect tax returns/tax research are going to be your career.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[onmywhey]

I meant exit opps from Public Accounting to anything tax related. I mean, I'm going into tax because I actually don't mind tax and want less travel, my own spot to come into each day, relatively know where I am going for commuting reasons, etc. etc.

Are exit opps to clients common? I.e. inhouse tax departments? What about law school/llm and become a tax attorney? Ph.d. in taxation? MBA school?

[onmywhey]

I meant exit opps from Public Accounting to anything tax related. I mean, I'm going into tax because I actually don't mind tax and want less travel, my own spot to come into each day, relatively know where I am going for commuting reasons, etc. etc.

Are exit opps to clients common? I.e. inhouse tax departments? What about law school/llm and become a tax attorney? Ph.d. in taxation? MBA school?

[Anonymous]

I think most will leave before they stick it til manager imo. Unless the firm is paying for their MBT– which means they probably have to stay a few more years after making senior.

But to my knowledge, exit opps to any client is common. Doesn't have to be your client, or even the firm's client at that.

Law school is another path. Opening up your own shop can be very lucrative.

MBA is another path, which isn't that common after coming out of big 4 audit/tax.

I think usually the staff/seniors that leave probably end up in some tax analyst or tax accountant (sr) position in industry depending on their experience and etc.

[Anonymous]

I think most will leave before they stick it til manager imo. Unless the firm is paying for their MBT– which means they probably have to stay a few more years after making senior.

But to my knowledge, exit opps to any client is common. Doesn't have to be your client, or even the firm's client at that.

Law school is another path. Opening up your own shop can be very lucrative.

MBA is another path, which isn't that common after coming out of big 4 audit/tax.

I think usually the staff/seniors that leave probably end up in some tax analyst or tax accountant (sr) position in industry depending on their experience and etc.

[Spur]

The controller in my company worked for B4 tax. I don't think working audit/tax will necessarily preclude you from going into any industry accounting position.

FAR - Bad Fail '11, Fail '12, Fail '13, PASS It's a miracle!
AUD - Fail, PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC - PASS!!!!!!!!
REG - PASS!!!!!!!! And I'm done!

[Spur]

The controller in my company worked for B4 tax. I don't think working audit/tax will necessarily preclude you from going into any industry accounting position.

FAR - Bad Fail '11, Fail '12, Fail '13, PASS It's a miracle!
AUD - Fail, PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC - PASS!!!!!!!!
REG - PASS!!!!!!!! And I'm done!

[vanadium3]

bump.

CPA

[vanadium3]

bump.

CPA

[Ntw6817]

@Spur It's encouraging to hear that. I think I might want to be a controller sometime but I'm currently working in tax. I'm considering switching to audit but it's nice to hear that people in tax have gone on to do stuff outside of tax.

[Ntw6817]

@Spur It's encouraging to hear that. I think I might want to be a controller sometime but I'm currently working in tax. I'm considering switching to audit but it's nice to hear that people in tax have gone on to do stuff outside of tax.

[kts1010]

Well if you are working with corporate clients there is always a possibility you could get a job at one of your clients. With doing an MBA the only reason I see doing that is if you want to switch career paths because a CPA is really all you need in tax. Being an attorney is definitely an option if you like the research side or other parts of tax that don't deal with return prep. I currently work in tax and am looking to get into more of a finance roll since doing tax preparation I don't find that entertaining and I must say it is really hard to get an interview. I have been applying for 2 months without a interview yet but hopefully I will get something soon cause it sucks not even getting a chance.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[kts1010]

Well if you are working with corporate clients there is always a possibility you could get a job at one of your clients. With doing an MBA the only reason I see doing that is if you want to switch career paths because a CPA is really all you need in tax. Being an attorney is definitely an option if you like the research side or other parts of tax that don't deal with return prep. I currently work in tax and am looking to get into more of a finance roll since doing tax preparation I don't find that entertaining and I must say it is really hard to get an interview. I have been applying for 2 months without a interview yet but hopefully I will get something soon cause it sucks not even getting a chance.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[vanadium3]

@kts

how long have you been in tax? I just want to see if it's really once tax never go back. but you will always find tax positions though.

CPA

[Author]

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