[Anonymous]

I’m almost at the point where I’ll have 2 busy seasons completed. I was reviewed and told I was one of the better staff we have, and I’m a few college classes away from having my cpa license (I passed all my tests).

I don’t really want to do another busy season here. It seems like big companies have this big bias for Big 4 experience, so I feel like staying here longer doesn’t really do anything for my resume. My firm barely promotes. They call everyone a “staff” except for three seniors who have 8+ years experience.

I’m underpaid, about 20% under market. I recently spoke with a friend of mine who just became a manager at a global financial services firm. He said he could absolutely interview me and seemed interested in offering me a position. We talked about what I’d be looking for salary wise and it seems they’d be willing to meet that. Plus their benefits are AMAZING.

I think it’s a great opportunity, I’ll only have to work 37.5 hours a week, and I feel I’ll be less burnt out.

This new opportunity is not a sure thing and I won’t treat it as such. But I’m tired of public accounting and I’m trying to decide if it’s worth all these hours when a job elsewhere looks better.

Anyone have a similar experience to this?

[tud20551]

Go for the Big 4. JOIN US

[ruggercpa2b]

I do not think leaving after 2 years undervalues your experience. And I would take what people say about industry wanting Big 4 experience at face value. Most jobs if you look usually say public accounting experience preferred, which is what you have. Do not under value yourself.

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.

[Missy]

People have to keep in mind its all about who your competition is for a job. If you apply to a job with 2 years in a mid size public firm and they've got three other applicants with five years in a Big 4, the hiring manager just may focus on those other applicants. If you apply to a job with 2 years in mid size and your competition for the position has no public experience, or 1 year in a smaller firm, you just might have the advantage. My current job with a small sales distributor didn't even require a CPA or public experience but their first choice was a gal with many years in big 4 (why? simply because she applied and looked great on paper) but the salary wasn't what she expected so I was #2. I might have lost out on this job which is a GREAT job had she accepted the offer. I on the other hand have never worked in public and got the same salary offer she did (I know this because I am HR and maintain the records)

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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