[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.

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of intangible benefits working for the big 4 rather than working for state or industry right away. For example, there's the network I will establish, cool companies I get to audit, great resources, and most importantly the international firm brand name recognition that I will have on resume. Honestly I don't mind working hard right out of college. I'm not working at the big 4 for the money; however, the pay is pretty on par, if not better, to my friends who are going straight into industry. This is from my student perspective.

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of intangible benefits working for the big 4 rather than working for state or industry right away. For example, there's the network I will establish, cool companies I get to audit, great resources, and most importantly the international firm brand name recognition that I will have on resume. Honestly I don't mind working hard right out of college. I'm not working at the big 4 for the money; however, the pay is pretty on par, if not better, to my friends who are going straight into industry. This is from my student perspective.

[teeteenounouche]

Everyone knows that Big 4 on your resume is awesome to have whether you liked being there or not, so…

With that being said, I am going to ignore this thread going forward…I am over stressing about not having public accounting experience, I am smart and resourceful and I will accomplish my goals regardless…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

Everyone knows that Big 4 on your resume is awesome to have whether you liked being there or not, so…

With that being said, I am going to ignore this thread going forward…I am over stressing about not having public accounting experience, I am smart and resourceful and I will accomplish my goals regardless…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[jeff]

I worked for a large company and yes, Big 4 looks amazing on a resume and is better than having an MBA career-wise.

That said – once you have the job – it's up to you to kick butt and take names – not having Big 4 won't hold you back from climbing internally.

Building a reputation as someone who does excellent work and is dependable is much more important.

[jeff]

I worked for a large company and yes, Big 4 looks amazing on a resume and is better than having an MBA career-wise.

That said – once you have the job – it's up to you to kick butt and take names – not having Big 4 won't hold you back from climbing internally.

Building a reputation as someone who does excellent work and is dependable is much more important.

[M.O.D.]

@ datcpa

I see what you mean about long hours. Yes, many professions work long hours and are not paid what they deserve, even if they have the years of education of a CPA.

However look at some of the traders on Wall Street. They make bonuses in the millions per year.

So, relative to that accountants are not highly paid.

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

I see what you mean about long hours. Yes, many professions work long hours and are not paid what they deserve, even if they have the years of education of a CPA.

However look at some of the traders on Wall Street. They make bonuses in the millions per year.

So, relative to that accountants are not highly paid.

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)

[Anonymous]

Well, yeah. Any Joe Blow with a margin account could have shorted TWTR last week and been deserving of one of those big bonuses lol. Investment and trading are a whole different beast.

I definitely wasn't trying to justify how much accountants make, just that you specifically kept talking about Big 4 employees being overworked and not compensated enough. I think some of the posts in this thread have proven that's not the case, though there are obvious sacrifices to be made.

[Anonymous]

Well, yeah. Any Joe Blow with a margin account could have shorted TWTR last week and been deserving of one of those big bonuses lol. Investment and trading are a whole different beast.

I definitely wasn't trying to justify how much accountants make, just that you specifically kept talking about Big 4 employees being overworked and not compensated enough. I think some of the posts in this thread have proven that's not the case, though there are obvious sacrifices to be made.

[Anonymous]

I feel like whenever a thread in this same vein pops up, it gets needled faster than a junkie trying to get his heroin fix. This thread (and the like), reminds me of some type of forum “civil war” if you will, where it's Big 4 vs. Non Big 4 in a fight to see “who can belittle the others' career choices the fastest”. I definitely sense bitterness in some of the posts of people who don't work for a Big 4…like they need to OVER-justify why working for the Big 4 is tantamount to modern day slavery and anyone who goes down that path is a complete jackass. On the other hand, there seems to be some misplaced sense of superiority from the posts of some people who work for Big 4 (not necessarily in this thread, just general observations of these types of threads), and if you don't work for Big 4, you won't be successful.

Human psychology is an interesting element…personally, I work for Big 4, but I don't really feel like I have a dog in this fight. I'm not going to argue that the hours are long and the political bullsh*t is plentiful. But I'm not going to deny that there are significant benefits that come with being able to put “Big 4” on your resume. Bottom line is that a person can be successful wherever he works, Big 4 or otherwise. A lot of points made on both sides are correct…it all comes down to whether or not the pros outweigh the cons for your own, unique situation. For some, they do, for others they don't. If you ask me if I think working for the Big 4 is a big deal, I'll say, “meh”. Sure, it provides me with some great benefits and luster for my resume, but I have no doubt I would achieve success in a mid/smaller firm or private as well.

[Anonymous]

I feel like whenever a thread in this same vein pops up, it gets needled faster than a junkie trying to get his heroin fix. This thread (and the like), reminds me of some type of forum “civil war” if you will, where it's Big 4 vs. Non Big 4 in a fight to see “who can belittle the others' career choices the fastest”. I definitely sense bitterness in some of the posts of people who don't work for a Big 4…like they need to OVER-justify why working for the Big 4 is tantamount to modern day slavery and anyone who goes down that path is a complete jackass. On the other hand, there seems to be some misplaced sense of superiority from the posts of some people who work for Big 4 (not necessarily in this thread, just general observations of these types of threads), and if you don't work for Big 4, you won't be successful.

Human psychology is an interesting element…personally, I work for Big 4, but I don't really feel like I have a dog in this fight. I'm not going to argue that the hours are long and the political bullsh*t is plentiful. But I'm not going to deny that there are significant benefits that come with being able to put “Big 4” on your resume. Bottom line is that a person can be successful wherever he works, Big 4 or otherwise. A lot of points made on both sides are correct…it all comes down to whether or not the pros outweigh the cons for your own, unique situation. For some, they do, for others they don't. If you ask me if I think working for the Big 4 is a big deal, I'll say, “meh”. Sure, it provides me with some great benefits and luster for my resume, but I have no doubt I would achieve success in a mid/smaller firm or private as well.

[Anonymous]

I think BobRossFan pretty much nailed it. The topic is beating a dead horse. I can't help but feel this conversation has been held many, many times before, and with the same results.

It's like déjà vu all over again.

[Anonymous]

I think BobRossFan pretty much nailed it. The topic is beating a dead horse. I can't help but feel this conversation has been held many, many times before, and with the same results.

It's like déjà vu all over again.

[mla1169]

Never worked for big 4, and while its appealing to me I'm just not at a stage in life where I can justify a cut in pay and the hours. I figure seriously if I want to work more than 50 hours a week I can pick up a part time job that I can ditch later on 😉 My kids are still my first job, and I like being home to check homework, have dinner with them, be at all of their sports

That said, I've been turned down for jobs because I lack big 4 experience. It is what it is. The difference between having it on your resume and not is the difference between having a car or not. Without the Big 4 on your resume you can still get to where you want to go but its just not as convenient and will take a lot longer in most cases.

Bring it on, love a good challenge 😉

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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