[Anonymous]

I have just recently started at a Big Four, in which I was very hestiate to work there. I knew it wasn’t for me but I took the offer anyway due to the resume recognition. However, I am regretting my decision a few months in and feel I would be better off in private doing somehing that I enjoy. I am struggling in devising a exit strategy since I want to leave in a few months rather than sticking it out. Also, I am not sure how to approach my early absence to prospective employers as well.

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone thanks for all the insight. It is really helping me make a decision about what to do.

Neika822 – Do you have any advice on how to handle interviews after leaving so early?

[neika822]

@Crazy – I had the unusual experience of leaving before I had a job lined up (desperation!). I had several interviews before I left, and I just basically said that public was not for me, that I learned a lot and met a lot of great people, but I was ready to move into a corporate setting. No interviews panned into jobs, and I left without a job lined up. I temped for a few months and then got an accounting job that I love at a college. I was polite and honest again and reiterated that I didn't think public was for me, but I was sure not to talk badly about anyone I worked with (which was tempting…).

I would REALLY recommend going and seeing a recruiter at an agency. One recruiter helped me with what to say when they asked and would prepare me for each interview.

I DO NOT recommend leaving without a job lined up if you can help it. I got a lot of odd looks from people about that one.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[neika822]

@Crazy – I had the unusual experience of leaving before I had a job lined up (desperation!). I had several interviews before I left, and I just basically said that public was not for me, that I learned a lot and met a lot of great people, but I was ready to move into a corporate setting. No interviews panned into jobs, and I left without a job lined up. I temped for a few months and then got an accounting job that I love at a college. I was polite and honest again and reiterated that I didn't think public was for me, but I was sure not to talk badly about anyone I worked with (which was tempting…).

I would REALLY recommend going and seeing a recruiter at an agency. One recruiter helped me with what to say when they asked and would prepare me for each interview.

I DO NOT recommend leaving without a job lined up if you can help it. I got a lot of odd looks from people about that one.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[hwtCPAexam]

@neika822 I'm in a similar situation to what you went through. I've been at a Big 4 firm for the past seven months and I decided that auditing just isn't for me. I didn't enjoy the work in general. I'm looking to make my exit at the end of May. I've met with 3 recruiters and I'm talking with another one via phone. I live in a city with a strong economy so I'm hoping it won't take more than a month or two to find a position in industry.

FAR 07/11/12 91
REG 08/20/12 89
BEC 10/01/12 84
AUD 01/08/13 88

[hwtCPAexam]

@neika822 I'm in a similar situation to what you went through. I've been at a Big 4 firm for the past seven months and I decided that auditing just isn't for me. I didn't enjoy the work in general. I'm looking to make my exit at the end of May. I've met with 3 recruiters and I'm talking with another one via phone. I live in a city with a strong economy so I'm hoping it won't take more than a month or two to find a position in industry.

FAR 07/11/12 91
REG 08/20/12 89
BEC 10/01/12 84
AUD 01/08/13 88

[Tncincy]

Hi 71 fam,

I have been following the comments about whether to leave or whether to stay with big 4 and interviews, and recruiters. My question is how to get in with a big 4 or maybe even an established accounting firm. I have run my own business for about 15 years, so much have changed and I am not making the money I used to make so I am considering going full time with a firm and do taxes during tax season. I am at a point where I cannot be without an income after tax season. I live in rural tn. so the amount of business is limited. I am about 45 min from the next big town, and 2 hours from Nashville and Memphis. Relocation is not an option. So how do you contact these recruiters or is sending out resumes sufficient?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Hi 71 fam,

I have been following the comments about whether to leave or whether to stay with big 4 and interviews, and recruiters. My question is how to get in with a big 4 or maybe even an established accounting firm. I have run my own business for about 15 years, so much have changed and I am not making the money I used to make so I am considering going full time with a firm and do taxes during tax season. I am at a point where I cannot be without an income after tax season. I live in rural tn. so the amount of business is limited. I am about 45 min from the next big town, and 2 hours from Nashville and Memphis. Relocation is not an option. So how do you contact these recruiters or is sending out resumes sufficient?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[zooyuka]

You should watch last weeks episode of The Office for ideas. Andy had plenty you could use.

BEC 71,77
REG 65,85
FAR 7/1/13
AUD 8/24/13

[zooyuka]

You should watch last weeks episode of The Office for ideas. Andy had plenty you could use.

BEC 71,77
REG 65,85
FAR 7/1/13
AUD 8/24/13

[Serena]

Here's my two cents:

1. There are plenty of staff and senior corporate accounting roles that ‘prefer Big Four' experience. What you have to watch out with in this is if their culture is similar, and they want someone that they can work to the bone. I have personally interviewed for several of these types of jobs, and since I don't have ‘Big Four' experience, it was a blessing that I didn't get the job, because I know that isn't what I'm after. So maybe it is better that you leave early on so the ‘Big Four' experience doesn't follow you around and give potential employers the idea that you liked that enivronment.

2. Being honest about why you left is the best thing to do, and if you are interviewing at a company that has the same values as you, they will certainly appreciate that. Just make sure to point out that you are still a hard worker, but that the cultural ‘fit' wasn't right.

I personally only have one year of experience in public, but it was a SMALL CPA firm, mostly specializing in small business & individual tax returns and compilations. The rest of my experience is in small business and public company corporate accounting (for a subsidiary). Don't let anyone make you feel like you have to have Big Four experience to get where you want to be.

AZ
AUD - 10/20/2011 - 77
BEC - 7/28/2012 - 79
FAR - 4/6/2013 - 79
REG - 4/18/2013 - 75 (3rd time's a charm!)

[Serena]

Here's my two cents:

1. There are plenty of staff and senior corporate accounting roles that ‘prefer Big Four' experience. What you have to watch out with in this is if their culture is similar, and they want someone that they can work to the bone. I have personally interviewed for several of these types of jobs, and since I don't have ‘Big Four' experience, it was a blessing that I didn't get the job, because I know that isn't what I'm after. So maybe it is better that you leave early on so the ‘Big Four' experience doesn't follow you around and give potential employers the idea that you liked that enivronment.

2. Being honest about why you left is the best thing to do, and if you are interviewing at a company that has the same values as you, they will certainly appreciate that. Just make sure to point out that you are still a hard worker, but that the cultural ‘fit' wasn't right.

I personally only have one year of experience in public, but it was a SMALL CPA firm, mostly specializing in small business & individual tax returns and compilations. The rest of my experience is in small business and public company corporate accounting (for a subsidiary). Don't let anyone make you feel like you have to have Big Four experience to get where you want to be.

AZ
AUD - 10/20/2011 - 77
BEC - 7/28/2012 - 79
FAR - 4/6/2013 - 79
REG - 4/18/2013 - 75 (3rd time's a charm!)

[Anonymous]

Stay for a full year. That experience is priceless.

[Anonymous]

Stay for a full year. That experience is priceless.

[Anonymous]

Stay for a full year. That experience is priceless.

[Anonymous]

Stay for a full year. That experience is priceless.

[Author]

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