[Anonymous]

First of all, thanks everyone for responding to my earlier thread about wanting to switch Big 4 firms. This seems like an awesome community and I hope I can contribute to this someday

On the off chance this applies to anyone, do any users here work for a Big 4 in Texas or even work in house for an energy firm? I’m very interested in oil and gas/infrastructure work, and frankly, I just won’t get the opportunities in my city to explore them since it’s so concentrated in Houston, and to a lesser extent, Dallas/Denver. While I feel I have a good enough story for why O&G, I might struggle with the why Houston/Dallas part. If I apply online, I might get lost in the shuffle. Additionally, I feel it may be good to learn more about potential Big 4 firms there, the culture, etc. I discounted the culture piece when interviewing, and I might be suffering a bit as a result.

I’m a current B4 associate and have passed all 4 parts of the CPA in case it matters. I haven’t applied for licensing yet because I’m looking to make moves and don’t want to go through the hassle of transferring licenses and whatnot. If anyone is willing to talk to me or has advice on when to look for jobs in this area, I would greatly appreciate it. The other question I have is, let’s say that I can’t transfer. Would asking to be put on utilities, doing that for 2-3 years still make me marketable for O&G down the road, or are they just completely different?

Thanks!

[Kettlepot]

Hello! Welcome to the NINJA community!

There are a few big requirements when it comes to O&G:

Joint Interest Billing is HUGE. Having experience auditing corps that have JIB will be a real plus.

Accounting for Depletion is another big item to have under your belt.

Most Oil Equipment is Leased, so being a whiz at Leases are also going to be a slam dunk.

You don't necessarily have to audit Utilities to get O&G Experience. JIB is found in large construction companies, as are Leases. Any Lumber or Mining will have JIB, Depletion, and Leases!

Far: 49
BEC: 79 (Expired)
AUD: 51, 67, 64
REG: 59, 64, 59, 69

[Jordan23cc]

I work at a Big 4 in Houston on O&G clients, and I am also born and raised in Texas.

Reasons Why Texas:

1. No State Income Tax

2. No Snow

3. Lower Cost of Living

4. Friendly People (usually)

5. Diverse Population

6. Lots of Entertainment (i.e. collegiate and professional sports, beaches, NASA, etc.)

7. Cheap Property Taxes

8. Cheaper Real Estate

9. Did I mention no snow or state income tax?

In all seriousness, Texas is a great place to live, and the O&G industry is very prevalent in Houston. Although oil prices have fallen, they will come back and the industry will boom again.

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[Anonymous]

@Kettlepot: Thanks a lot for the info! I'll try to read more about this. Worst comes to worst, I might be able to move into utilities, so I figure that it's somewhat close and makes my case a lot easier than working on regular manufacturing companies and suddenly wanting to move into energy.

@Jordan23cc: How much less are Big 4 firms hiring because of the downturn? I have full faith that high prices will be back with a vengeance, but is it possible they'll have more demand in the summer/fall? That's around when I might want to make the switch, if it happens, but I'm just not sure how to go about it since the only thing I can sell at this point is my interest in that industry, that I work for a Big 4, and have my CPA done. I have no geographic ties to that state, unfortunately.

[Jordan23cc]

I can't speak for the other firms, but my firm is hiring people as quickly as we can. I would assume that probably holds true across the other firms as well.

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[justgivemea75]

EDIT: Wrong thread

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[Anonymous]

@Jordan: It's odd you say that because when I look at all the big 4's sites, they don't seem to have any openings for people my level, but plenty for senior+. That's why I'm wondering if I'm just too early in the game to be looking

[Author]

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