[Tootsie]

I work for a big 4 firm. What I’ve seen in my first 8 months is that most of the employees here are like trained monkeys. I’ve also seen a lot of workaholics. During my first “busy season”, I worked long hours for about a month but that’s because the in-charge and senior wanted to screw around and stay late. I am now working with a senior that has a brain. She actually treats me like a human being and explains things well, unlike most seniors here. I think if you work with the right people, you can have a good job at a big 4 firm. I really wanted to quit about a couple of weeks ago because of the crappy people here. There are some good apples here. I have just had to go through spoiled ones to get to the good ones. I think I might actually make a career out of this, not sure yet. I am also not right out of college. I have about 5 years of professional work experience and a MAcc.

About the hours – I have worked long hours only in busy season. I usually get off between 5 and 6:30. I let my seniors know that I need to study for the CPA exam and they understand. There is no harm in that. The schedules know that I am married and that I do not have a car so fortunately, I have been scheduled on clients close to home or I work from the office. All it takes is communication, being pleasant with people, and letting them know what your priorities are.

I am just curious – those of you who work at a big 4 firm, do you enjoy the work? Do you work long hours a lot? Do you see yourself staying/leaving and why?

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Mayo]

I won't start full time until August, but did my internship with a big 4 last year. Don't see myself there longer than 5 years.

Long hours and monkey work is a given. However, at the end of the day there are worse jobs out there that pay a lot less.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[jjm1181]

So worked in private for for a few years before getting into your current position? Just curious. I've been in private for 6 years and have entertained the thought of going to public accounting. Don't want to take the salary cut but it may be worth it long term.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Tootsie]

@jjm1181, yes, I worked in the public sector. The pay where I worked was low for the position that I was in. I chose public accounting for the challenge. My starting salary is pretty good. Looking forward to a raise and bonus (for passing exam) this year.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

When does Big 4 hire? I have a few years of exp. but I want to try a hand at public accounting.

Thanks!

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

Tootsie, were you an entry-level with the Big 4?

I'm also coming from public sector.

[Tootsie]

@ROLLTIDE4EVER, I think the big 4 firms hire 1st year associates mostly in the fall. Some are hired in the spring.

I'm a first year and will be a second year in July. I worked in higher education for about 4 years. Looking forward to auditing a couple of colleges this summer. Should be interesting.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

You say there are too many spoiled apples at the Big 4.

And I have always believed that they get the best of the best people. Maybe not.

[Tootsie]

@75, people here are very smart for the most part, but seem to be too involved in work and treat others disrespectfully. Not all are like this, but most I've worked with so far are. I've seen other first years being treated like crap and I don't think it's right. That seems to be the norm around here though. I have had some seniors apologize to me for the way they treated me. I am not going to let people walk all over me just because they are at a higher level than me. I don't care who you are. I think I will stand out (in a good way) because I work hard and I do not put up with jerks. I think people are scared here and don't want to stand up for themselves because they think they'll get fired/get a bad review or maybe they just want to be liked (I used to want that badly). I'm thinking that a lot of the first years right out of college – this is their first job and they expect to be told what to do/when to go home.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Marivy22]

For those of you interest, I saw openings at PWC last week in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area, not sure if this is their time to hire. I have been looking at indeed.com lately, just to see how the market is moving

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

I'm stuck in Nashville (not a bad thing) for the time being. I'm looking at any public accounting firm, and hopefully getting with Big 4 w/n 1-2 yrs. after that.

[Anonymous]

I have had a similar experience working with the Big 4. Unfortunately my hours have been horrible. I do not know if there is anyone out there who went through a busy season quite like the one myself and some of my colleagues did this year. I also agree with Tootsie on the fact that many of the people that work at Big 4 firms are very pompous individuals who believe they are the best thing since sliced bread. I have experienced seniors who do not give a damn about helping the staff as well as seniors treating the staff like crap. I have also come across my fair share of workaholics, but that is very similar to me. I am quite the workaholic. I do not think it is a bad idea to stand up to the people above you if you go about it the right way. I have stood up to some of the seniors I work with by going the extra mile to make guides to assist them in reviewing the work I perform. I have also made a point of learning the accounting guidance, as well as the reason I am doing the things that I am doing to ensure I perform the work to the best of my ability. I also perform a self review of my work in order to ensure that I have done everything that I have been asked to do and then some. When you make the life of those above you easier it goes a long way. Most Staff 1's just do the work with a focus on doing it quickly and just don't seem to care. I found out quickly that was not going to make people happy. I see my approach is a kind way of saying “Hey screw you I am just as intelligent as you are and the only thing I am lacking is your experience so treat me correctly.”

I do enjoy working at the Big 4. I think the experience I am gaining is invaluable and I could see myself working here for at least 3-4 more years.

[Author]

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