[Anonymous]

Hey guys, long-time lurker, first-time poster…I am in a fairly difficult situation, albeit a positive one. I am currently working for a federal agency as a financial analyst doing audits of government-assisted projects, properties, etc. At the same time, I have a chance to join the Big4 as an entry level auditor. I have gone over the pros and cons list (Jim Halpert style if you’re with me on that one) multiple times and come up with this:

Gov’t Pros:

great work-life balance (steady 40 hrs)

working for a federal agency is meaningful (maybe cheesy, but still)

solid benefits

opportunity, maybe, to move up as I am young and people will be retiring in the next 5 yrs

Cons:

bureaucratic, slow, often unmotivated work force

limiting my career too early on?

not sure I see myself at this particular agency for an extended period of time

Big4 pros:

resume builder

good experience

opportunity to work with other young people

Big4 cons:

work-life balance

hating it and not wanting to stick around

kind of a crapshoot when it comes to what clients you get, colleagues you work with, etc.

If anyone could provide some insight, especially if you have worked in both, that would be amazing. I think I am struggling with it mostly due to what I see as just an extreme difference between the two options. I have of course asked numerous people and have gotten the range of responses from, “how could you possibly pass up big4?” to “once you leave the government, good luck getting back in” and “stay the hell away from big4 at all costs.” I am young and just finished up a master’s degree straight away after a bachelor’s and am halfway through the CPA and that really won’t affect either path. Soooo, yeah, sorry for the extended post and thanks in advance for any kind of assistance.

[Anonymous]

Here is the link to the DCAA job I mentioned. This one is listed for “multiple locations” but you can search DCAA on USAjobs (which they just updated) and find ones for specific locations and there are a pretty good amount.

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/301478900

[msgolds]

DCAA needs A LOT of manpower due to the nature of our Audits. Getting your foot in the door is tough (as it is with any federal agency), but it is arguably one of the best entry-level Accounting / Audit opportunities available in the public sector. Especially for aspiring CPAs… they will literally pay all the costs associated with review, testing and licensing. I believe I heard the IRS doesn't do that anymore.

BEC - 90 PASSED
FAR - 84 PASSED
AUD - 93 PASSED
REG - 84 PASSED

I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[Partially Deaf]

My mother is a manager for the IRS. I can say that if you would like to retire on the job, then go work for the IRS. That said, people who are meant to excel in their jobs should not go to the IRS. The workplace is toxic because all the lazy people in the world go to the IRS.

Having a CPA doesn't really help you with the IRS. Many people end up deactivating their license because they simply do not use it.

MBA Candidate - UCLA Anderson School of Management

REG 89 - 4/9/2012
BEC 88 - 5/29/2012
AUD 93 - 8/20/2012
FAR 83 - 2/4/2013
-All passed on the first attempt!

CFA Level 1 - Passed on first attempt in June 2014

[Path To CPA]

@Chiguy19,

Here is my straight input:

If you're 35 or older, please stay with gov and start planning for your retirement unless you're planning to join Big4 as manager or higher.

If you're younger than 35, do like I did and leave the Gov

Job. You have no business there at all. I worked for the Gov for almost 3 year and I hated the routine and nonchallenging work. I lost all motivation and started thinking an acting like a much older person than I really am. I realized if I don't get out of this crappy job I will regret the missed opportunity of not realizing my full potential by joining Big4. I took 2 parts of the CPA exam while I was with the Gov but I failed them because I lacked motivation to study despite all the time I had to do so (working 8am to 4pm with plenty of personal day off).

Since I started with Big4, I'm a lot happier and I

Also have a sense of accomplishment and the feeling that I escaped a dead end job (Gov). So far I passed 2 parts of the exam first try (since I started with Big4) and there is a 6

$6000 bonus for passing all 4 parts, not counting that they pay for or reimburse you for the study material. The Gov job did not reward for CPA at all.

Don't get me wrong, I do work 100 times harder with Big4 and very long hours mainly during busy season. But I don't mind the long hours and I'm happier. I don't feel ashamed now to tell my friends that I work for the Gov (no offense to any current gov worker). I'm just not made to work for Gov.

Very important fact: this is my personal opinion. It applies only to me an should not be generalized. It might not work for any other person but me because it's based on subjectivity and also because I have a passion for accounting (silly but true). Therefore, make your final decision wisely. Common wisdom would teach you to go with what the majority of people are advising you to do. The last decision still remains yours. Good luck!

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

[Noct]

Am I missing something? Why are we acting like big 4 or government are our only options. I work for a very small public accounting firm and I couldn't be happier. Sure, the pay may not be as great as a larger firm, but my sanity is worth so much more. I get a great variety in tasks and clients to keep things interesting, and I work with a group of people who are happy to come to work, and willing to help eachother because we realize that if the firm runs smoothly, our jobs are easier.

But aside from my experience, what about seeking a position such as controller / internal auditor / CFO etc. for a large company? What about starting your own firm? What about going into finance? What about getting a law degree and becoming a tax attorney? (ok, that one's a stretch, but I've considered it).

My point is, we have options.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[SMUT_Co]

@Path – How did you make the transition into Big4? I have been at the IRS for two years and have the same outlook on life as you did with the government.

How did you explain your experience and skills to match what public firms are looking for? How did you overcome the general attitude that “all government employees are lazy” when you are going for a position that well exceeds 40 hours a week?

I have passed the exams and have been actively searching for new employment since May. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

FAR: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
BEC: Done

[Anonymous]

@Path To CPA – I am well under 35 ha. I do get what you're saying and I believe I am ready for something more dynamic and challenging. The current comfort level is nice but I don't want to get too wrapped into it because I can see here what that has done to some people. Thanks for the input.

@Noct – I don't know if you have read all the posts, but it is not that we have reached a gov't and big4 discussion as the only two routes. I just brought up that those are my two options at this very moment, with currently being in a gov't job and having the opportunity to jump (fall?) to a big4 spot. Of course we have options and all those that you listed are quite viable.

[Path To CPA]

SMUT_Co

I used LinkedIn as a tool to find my job with Big4 and I also learned how I to be a sweet talker. That's what they are looking for most of the time. Even if your current job just consist of making copies and stapling papers, you can describe it in a way that it show transferable skills and get the job. They look at your positive attitude more than anything else. If you want to, you can create a temporary email address with SMUT_Co on it and post it here. I'll then use it to contact you and give you a boost to get in Big4.

Let me know what you think.

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

[SMUT_Co]

@Path

I appreciate any help and advice you can provide. I my temp email is smut.corp(at)gmail.com. I look forward to talking with you further.

FAR: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
BEC: Done

[Anonymous]

Good thread, bump for more feedback!

I've been with a state gov't for 4.5 years as a tax auditor of franchise/income and sales/use tax. I can tell you from personal experience, “lazy government mentality” does not apply to everyone. I know co-workers that use their own time and stay late at night or come in on the weekend to meet deadlines and get work done. The State won't even give them comp time. I personally always try to put in 110%….But I've also seen other people that when 4pm hits, they are already in the car!

I took the job right after college and it paid the same as Big 4 starting salary, but now I've reached the dreaded ceiling. The only room for growth is to become a supervisor which is only 5% pay increase. Management has asked me about it, but having to sign a 3 year contract doesn't sit well with me. The only real exit opportunity is to work in a SALT group for the Big 4 / Large regional firm, or go in as a SALT tax senior or manager of a Fortune 500 company…

What are my options? If I go to public and work in the SALT group, yeah in a few years I'm will probably make low six figures but I will have to hustle to bring in clients…..OR is it possible to go into the IRS LB&I group, hope to reach GS-13 in a few years which will get me the low six figures anyway…..

[theilya]

I think it depends on the person's goals in life.

If your goal in life is to make medium salary and spent lots of time with your family govt is way to go based on my research.

Hopefully after I pass my CPA exam ill be able to get my foot in the door

[Mayo]

@Drumnum, I can't speak for Big 4 Sr. Managers, but I don't think you're expected to bring in clients until you hit Partner or Executive Director.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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