[jjm1181]

I’m 30 with six years of accounting experience. I want that big boy job in 10 years making the big dough. Currently have no audit/tax experience. Have never worked for a CPA firm. Have two masters (MBA and MSF) and hopefully soon a CPA. My current employer pays for most certifications and training I want to attain (definite perk). I make good money now but my company’s future is not bright. I have no managerial experience. I work 40+ hours a week now. I have my first child on the way in 13 weeks.

So the question is…do I look at Big 4 opportunities soon or even medium size firms so that I can get the experience I need to not only build my resume, but also get the experience I need to be successful at that big boy job? Some would say that it would be starting at the bottom…which I guess it is. But long term it might be the best choice. And yes I know it depends on the person, but just looking for some general opinions.

What say you good people of the forum?

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[kmwgrace]

jjm – this, like whether you should go back to school or not, is a question only you can answer. It sounds to me like you need to define your goals, then determine what steps you need to take in order to attain them – but defining the goals must come first, otherwise you'll be wandering aimlessly.

~ Kate... MTX!
CPA exam on hold while I homeschool my 6 year old!

[Anonymous]

I worked in small public firms for a few years after college and made the switch to the Big 4 at age 26. I started as a 2nd year audit associate. If you can handle the work hours, it is the best posibble move you can make going foward. In terms of marketable in the general accounting world, there isn't anything better to have on your resume.

I also do not believe the played out story that one “learns more at a smaller firm” seeing how much I've learned since I made the move.

[jjm1181]

I guess the only thing I have to realize is that my hours will be much longer and I will have to take a pay cut. BUT, if I want to have that big boy job in 10 years, sacrafices have to be made. Of course I don't have to have the CPA firm experience to get that job, but it definitely helps. I could work my way to the top and not need the CPA firm experience, but at my current position, I'm already at the top of a small company and the experience is average. If I were to be put in a mangerial position at a larger company, I would sink since I lack the experience needed to be successful. I got tough decisions to make. I wish it was easier.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[valueofnothing]

id say, only do it if you can get hired into a non-entry-level position. if you're starting as an associate at age 30 that's not where you want to be.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[valueofnothing]

id say, only do it if you can get hired into a non-entry-level position. if you're starting as an associate at age 30 that's not where you want to be.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[valueofnothing]

id say, only do it if you can get hired into a non-entry-level position. if you're starting as an associate at age 30 that's not where you want to be.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[Anonymous]

I disagree. The age of first year associates range from 22-28. I think at 30, you could still make the move.

But yeah, the pay cut sucks. It certainly isn't an easy decision.

[katiekanton]

So are you guys saying that if you're much older than 28, you can't get on at a Big 4 unless you're already experienced enough to come in as a senior?

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

Not impossible. But I've only seen two associates over the age of 35. I wonder how many people in their mid to late 30s and older have tried to obtain an associate position?

[valueofnothing]

first, sorry for the triple post. computer's fault, not mine!

the reason i'd discourage older people is because i think that a lot of the culture seems to be inclined to promote hotshots. they want people to be making partner at 35, not senior at 35.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[jjm1181]

There's the issue. They probably won't accept me as anything above an entry level position since I've never had that experience. My hope would be that hard work and already having certifications and master's degrees would help me move along faster. But that's no guarantee. Have you guys ever heard of someone working for a CPA firm part-time on Satuday's? LOL. Or even doing it as an internship for them on Saturday's? That was my other far fetched idea. Not sure if that's even possible, but I would entertain interning with them one day a week just to get the experience. And yes I am crazy.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[valueofnothing]

@jjm generally people aren't working saturdays unless its the peak of busy season (maybe a few weekends long) and i don't think that they're going to be interested in having an intern around (who, no offense, probably won't be able to help much because they've just missed whatever work has happened during the week).

not trying to be mean and maybe others have different opinions, just my thoughts.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[jjm1181]

@valueofnothing…I definitely see your point. No offense taken. I'd rather you guys be upfront and tell me how it is instead making me think a switch to public would be easy. The accounting that I'm doing now is relatively basic since it's a small company. There's not much about it that is complicated. That's where I feel like I'll struggle when moving to a larger company. When I do finally make that move I'll just have to adjust, work hard and learn…on the fly. 🙂

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Peanut]

@jjm1181, I seem to make men think a lot =P kidding. Weigh all of your options. Do you know anyone working in a Big 4? I honestly don't think I would have gotten my initial phone interview with out a referral. Big 4's are BIG in campus recruiting–So I thought I had missed my boat. They definitely like to snag young people to train them while they have a raw unbiased opinion. That doesn't mean there is not a chance. Really start networking, if this is what you want then go get it!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Anonymous]

@jjm1181: Don't decide until the baby is born. Working long hours and travel is fine when you're in your 20's and have no kids. I'm 41 and although I have the brains and energy for Big 4, there's no way I'd work 50-60 hours a week and miss seeing my kids grow up. That's not what it's all about.

[Author]

Replies