[MADADYARAB]

So I have been offered to work with BIG 4 this summer as an entry level candidate. Does anyone know if I fail my CPA exams would they still keep me or ask me to leave? Also, they paid for my review course, will I need to pay them back?

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

MADADYARAB, you asked a few questions here and I'll try to answer some of them as best I can. I was in PwC's assurance practice and moved into advisory.

With regard to your first post:

At PwC, you need to pass the CPA examinations in order to make Senior Associate. Anonny mentioned Deloitte has a title called “Audit in Charge”. I have never heard of this position in PwC. If you're a 3rd year associate (official title is “experienced associate”) and you're up for promotion to senior, you need to have the CPA exams completed to get the senior title.

I know of two associates who were released soon after their time to make senior but were never promoted due to not passing the examinations. Was it due to not passing the exams? I don't know but rumors in the grapevine say yes. I know a few people now who are in panic mode because they are up for promotion this year but have not yet passed all of the exams.

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“If I end up changing my job before starting at BIG 4 how bad it looks? They paid for my review course- do I've to pay them back for the review?”

I'm not sure what you're asking here because you said you were already extended an offer from PwC. What relevance does changing your job before starting at PwC have anything to do with anything? For the second part of your question, I have never heard of PwC asking their employees to pay them back for the cost of the exams, pass or fail.

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2- If I tell them I am interested in a different career path before starting the assigned career, would it have a bad impact?

At this point, I would not mention your intent of changing career paths just yet. Focus on the position you are getting and really kick ass. If they see you as a high-performer, it can certainly help you if you choose to change paths within PwC. Understand, however, that just because you're an employee of PwC, it doesn't mean you can jump between practices as you wish. You'll still have to interview just like a regular candidate. Again, don't say anything just yet. Work your ass off and everything will fall into place for you.

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[ruggercpa2b]

The Auditor In Charge title at Deloitte is for the people in ERS and not people in Audit. And it's known that those with the title In Charge don't have a certification. They are in consulting roles and some of those areas dont require a CPA to get promoted. Those that do internal audit outsourcing you find with CIA instead of CPA. In Audit you can't get to Senior without a CPA.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[fuzyfro89]

False. Big 4 will NOT fire you simply for not passing the exams. I knew a handful of seniors (or “in charge” or “lead”) who had not passed but still functioned the same as a senior while i was at Big 4. they will not, however, allow you to make manager without passing the CPA exams… but that also does NOT mean you will get fired.

More likely you will either look to switch practices or leave on your own because that's ~5 years that you did not/could not pass… for whatever reason.

Switching to another practice could happen, but it's not “easy” like raising your hand and them giving you a new job in a few weeks. You'll have to interview, do all the transfer stuff, and if they like you enough they'll let you move over. It is an exception, not the norm.

[superstani]

In the big 4 that i'm with you need your CPA to reach senior associate level unless you get hired as a senior in which case you need your CPA to reach Manager level.

FAR-79
REG-79
BEC-81
AUD-82

[OnMyWay732]

Instead of worrying about them firing you for not passing, just focus on passing.

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[Author]

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