[Anonymous]

When I got the offer for audit associate, I was told that because I have a few years of public accounting experience, I already have my CPA license, and I took a $6k cut in pay that they could see me making senior in a year…”fast track to senior”, if you will.

I know I must also perform well above expectation in order to get promoted in a year and I cannot financially afford to remain at the associate level for very long.

So…the question is what are some SPECIFIC tips you can give me to help me reach my promotion goal? My time in public accounting has already taught me the common sense aspects like take a pad and pen with you when you’re being asked to do something, use last year’s w/ps as a reference, communicate to the senior when you think you’re going to blow the budget, etc.

Hopefully you guys can give me some more audit-specific tips…THANKS!

[fuzyfro89]

I knew several people in my start class who absolutely SHREDDED it their first year (and second and third). They were not promoted early, but got very good ratings.

Given, you will be at PwC, so it IS possible that you may be promoted to senior after 2 years instead of the standard 3 (this I hear is happening more often for high performers), but is probably a strong function of the office's need for seniors and secondarily your performance. PwC is the exception, and it is definitely possible to get promoted early (early being 2 years instead of 3). I do think that is possible, but getting promoted after 1 year… unlikely, if not impossible.

I still think HR fed you some bullsh*t. How can they possibly tell you before you start that you will be promoted early? I know you have experience, and I'm sure you did well in interviews, but it's flat out impossible to say that at this point. I remember talking with managers/partners in my former firm, and I recall from the managers who said that it's basically impossible to predict who will be a rockstar accurately just from interviewing (especially campus hires), and partners have said the same about trying to predict managers who will be eligible to make partner/director.

I do encourage you to work hard and get good ratings, but don't hold your breath for an early promotion. It's only partially in your control, as even if you are rated #1 in your start class, if there is not a greater need for seniors, then you won't get the promotion.

[Anonymous]

No worries, no Debbie downer vibes to be felt…I really appreciate the advice. All things considered, 9xs out of 10 you're right. I sent the email to my HR rep… I'll update you all with the response. (This should be interesting)

[Anonymous]

Well she responded to my email with the following points:

– You will be considered among the 1st year/new hire class

– There have been many examples of exceptions to the “normal” promotion process, which is a function of previous experience and level of performance once I start

– The firm is going through a change where an early promotion will be more likely (she was referring to the mid-year promotion initiative that starts FY 2015)

– Make sure to inform your career coach and HR manager that you would like to be considered for early promotion so that they can help you get the necessary experience needed to be considered

– Some of the factors that make up the “highest performing” individual include technical capabilities, the way you interact with others both internally and with the clients, and other ways you are contributing to the overall success of the firm and your own growth

[fuzyfro89]

Considering you already have some experience, you aren't learning the general skills for the first time (like most of your start class).

I think you should have a solid chance of promotion to senior (at least in your abilities) in fall 2016 (2 yr mark instead of fall 2017).

However, I will say that it's possible to jump to another Big 4 around that time, assuming you have the network, the office has a need for seniors, and you interview well, to hit senior by making a jump. FWIW, I almost did this before jumping to industry instead.

I think the issue I've heard from people at PwC (anecdotal, of course) is that a lot of people end up being an “in charge” during their 3rd year, and basically being a senior, but without the title (and the pay, of course).

[Anonymous]

Fuzyfro89: That “in charge” bit is interesting. Idk how I'd feel about that. When engagements have “in charge” associates, are there also senior associates on the same engagements? If so, seems kinda redundant.

[fuzyfro89]

No, I'm referring to when there is no senior on the team and a 2nd/3rd yr associate basically does that work instead.

Not trying to make you regret your decision, I'm just trying to caution you from buying everything that HR tells you to get you in the door without realizing all the bs that comes in the audit profession (and really any job).

[Anonymous]

@cpa4birthday – Which pwc office are you located at? Maybe we are starting in the same place….!

@fuzy – never heard from you about your opinion on my thread asking whether it was worth it to go Big4.

[Anonymous]

CPjAson: Los Angeles office 🙂

[mimi86]

I currently work at a Big 4 so here is my experience. They have in the past fast tracked people to Senior but for all of these people they had to have completed two busy seasons (or two years). My one piece of advice would be to get everything that was told to you in writing somehow. I was told (by a Partner with the ability to make it happen) after my first year that if I continued to perform at the same level that I would be fast tracked after my second year.

Well the end of my second year has come and gone and I will be an Associate for another year, even though I maintained my performance and passed exams. I was given no explanition but the rumblings are that they will not be fast tracking any more because it causes a problem with the staff who are not fast tracked and their feelings about the firm and fast tracked individuals.

All of that to say, get the HR person or whomever to put it in writing some way some how because promises can be broken, especially verbal ones.

[Anonymous]

I'm not so naïve to believe that EVERYTHING HR, or anybody else for that matter, says is going to happen no matter what just because they said it would. I really just want to make sure that I am holding up my end of the deal and performing in a way that would enable me to be promoted within a reasonable amount of time. I don't want my performance to lack in any way, thereby giving them an excuse to not promote me when the time is right. When I have proven myself worthy of a promotion, I would have documented everything I have done and would have made sure my supervisors submitted their reviews of my work (which will hopefully all be positive).

It's cool and I won't be pissed off just because I don't get promoted to senior within a year…that being said, I'd definitely be looking to be promoted in 2 and I'm prepared to do everything I can on my part to make that happen.

[mimi86]

Understood.

The thing is that like fuzyfro just typed, alot of BS and politics go on at these firms, and even though you may feel like you have done all you needed to do to be promoted at the end of the day you could still not be promoted and you just have to accept it or leave.

Perform well regardless but understand that there are alot of variables in the Big 4 world that are out of your control, even being promoted.

[nigercpa]

@Cpa4birthday, I am about to send mails to recruiters at the Big4. To be sure my resume looks good, I would love to get it looked at by another person that has gone through the process. Do you mind if I send my resume to you to read through and get your opinion on it if its strong enough to get a phone interview at least. Thanks!

AUD - 87
BEC - 77
FAR - 83
REG - 77

Licensed in 2015

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Anonymous]

mim86: Yeah office politics sucks, but as a licensed CPA I would not have to play the victim in that case…either promote me (assuming I've proven myself worthy) or I'm out! It's as simple as that.

nigercpa: Sure I'd love to lend a helping hand. My name is Jennifer Williams. We can connect via LinkedIn. I use the same picture on my profile and on a71.com

[nigercpa]

Thanks! I will send a request right away.

AUD - 87
BEC - 77
FAR - 83
REG - 77

Licensed in 2015

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[CP…EH]

Goodluck at your new position Jennifer. Im sure you will progress quickly with your current experience and hard work!

[Author]

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