[Anonymous]

Short intro – Brand new poster here, only found this site yesterday as I now am preparing for the CPA. I had an undergrad business degree from the mid 2000’s, worked overseas, and recently came back to go into accounting. Enrolled in an MS program last year, went through recruiting season this fall, accepted an offer with a Big 4. The entire experience has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. If you asked me what the Big 4 were a year ago, I wouldn’t even know. Difference between public/private accounting..what? Oh, but I did remember what GAAP means after all these years.

Then I found this site. And have been reading posts from each forum non-stop. The different stories, experiences, challenges, everything have made me realize just how..uh..lucky I am? I’ll be honest, I applied to one and only one Big 4 because that’s where I wanted (don’t even ask why lol). I had no accounting experience, no CPA experience, and yet had no issue landing that one position. But I see people on here with years of experience, fresh from school, and even the CPA already finished and they can’t find A job let alone a Big 4 job. From my experience this fall and the experiences of my classmates (who all got Big 4 offers as well, some from multiple), I honestly thought people who wanted a Big 4 job generally got it and people who wanted regional/mid-sized/small got it because that’s what they chose and aimed for. But now it seems clear to me that some people throw their name in every hat and just pray because it’s actually extremely competitive.

I apologize if this comes off as some stealth brag post, it’s honestly not. It’s just reading this site and Going Concern (which I only found a few days ago as well) has given me a totally different perspective on this accounting world. I guess I feel like I’m in for a much wilder ride than I thought I would be, judging from some of the things I’ve read here. It also made me realize how ignorant I was to a lot of this stuff since I am technically a baby in this world. While I knew the Big 4 were the “BIG FOUR,” it never seemed like an impossible task for any eager individual. Not exactly like being a developer and getting a job at Google.. or maybe it is? I guess I’ll find out when I eventually begin.

Has anyone else who was fairly new to the accounting scene had a similar experience? A sudden epiphany?

Anyway, as I’ll be beginning in the fall I’ll be aiming to pass all of the CPA before then. I look forward to using this site and others in helping me with that. Also, if I was a bit vague with some of my info it was intentional. Things get back to you from online so I’d rather stay as ninja-like as possible.

[whitelilies04]

0nmywaytoaCPA – truer words were never spoken (re: the link you posted).

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[Anonymous]

^^

lol nice

[Anonymous]

^^

lol nice

[vanadium3]

funny because a senior once told me this.

so would an audit blow up when the ditch overflows or if senior drowns?

CPA

[vanadium3]

funny because a senior once told me this.

so would an audit blow up when the ditch overflows or if senior drowns?

CPA

[Anonymous]

20k increase in 2.5 years.. without a cpa. I think most “normal” folk would kill for that kind of raise. I'm just sayin… I'm just sayin!

[Anonymous]

20k increase in 2.5 years.. without a cpa. I think most “normal” folk would kill for that kind of raise. I'm just sayin… I'm just sayin!

[M.O.D.]

@datcpa

But pay (in the US anyway) is generally commensurate with knowledge, ability, heck even risk-taking.

I would not call a senior in a big4 “normal” folk.

And neither does society. He would be made controller in a private firm and paid significantly more, for fewer hours. This is generally the progression of careers. Though some spend their entire lives in Big4 too.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

@datcpa

But pay (in the US anyway) is generally commensurate with knowledge, ability, heck even risk-taking.

I would not call a senior in a big4 “normal” folk.

And neither does society. He would be made controller in a private firm and paid significantly more, for fewer hours. This is generally the progression of careers. Though some spend their entire lives in Big4 too.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[whitelilies04]

I hope I didn't come off as snotty or ungrateful, that is a huge amount of money (well it is to me). I was simply trying to point out that it's hard to stay put when I know that if I left I would be making 6 figures and work less. I'm also in one of then highest COL areas in the nation so that plays a factor as well. Was just trying to explain the considerations and factors of why turnover is so high.

Big 4 traditionally gives large pay increases year over year regardless of whether or not exams are passed. The only thing wouldn't be eligible for is promotion to manager which is usually after 5yrs.

@M.O.D. I'm a she ;), and that that's the plan 🙂

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[whitelilies04]

I hope I didn't come off as snotty or ungrateful, that is a huge amount of money (well it is to me). I was simply trying to point out that it's hard to stay put when I know that if I left I would be making 6 figures and work less. I'm also in one of then highest COL areas in the nation so that plays a factor as well. Was just trying to explain the considerations and factors of why turnover is so high.

Big 4 traditionally gives large pay increases year over year regardless of whether or not exams are passed. The only thing wouldn't be eligible for is promotion to manager which is usually after 5yrs.

@M.O.D. I'm a she ;), and that that's the plan 🙂

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[tough_kitty]

20K increase within 2.5 years…so you go from around $50K to $70K? I wouldn't kill for that…I got a 20K increase within the same period of time working for the state….40hrs/week….no stress…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

20K increase within 2.5 years…so you go from around $50K to $70K? I wouldn't kill for that…I got a 20K increase within the same period of time working for the state….40hrs/week….no stress…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I meant “normal” from the perspective of most folks who aren't in the business world and yet put in long hours as well. Teachers.. firefighters.. programmers.. they don't really see 10k a year pay increases. Well, maybe programmers/developers. I think most people WOULD kill for a 20k increase in 2 years outside of accounting/finance, at least nowadays.

[Anonymous]

I meant “normal” from the perspective of most folks who aren't in the business world and yet put in long hours as well. Teachers.. firefighters.. programmers.. they don't really see 10k a year pay increases. Well, maybe programmers/developers. I think most people WOULD kill for a 20k increase in 2 years outside of accounting/finance, at least nowadays.

[Author]

Replies