[funtimesNOT]

Hi I am about late 20s early 30’s and I have an opportunity to interview with a big four. I am currently at a small local firm and pretty happy. I am concerned about my advancement opportunity, but we all know in public accounting that can change over night! Would you do it if you could? Is the big four wroth it? I feel like the only reason I would not go is because I feel bad, I mean really is this a good enough of a reason? Should I just suck it up and go to the interview (not like I have the job) , or would joining the big four late in your 20’searly 30s be a bad idea (I do not have kids). I would come in as a 2cond year staff they said. Any ideas? I heard somewhere that if you get one of the big four on your resume, it would be the equivalent of having Harvard on your resume for accounting.

AUDIT - 79
FAR - 64, 77
BEC - 69, 71,79 - DONE!
REG - 60, 75

Nothing in the 80s ; however, I worked full time the whole time! (like 10 hour days) so it can be done 🙂

[monsterE]

“but I feel like everybody is either stuck up or kind of sheltered. it is hard to explain! “

This is accountants in general at all firms i think lol

“the on thing that surprised me were coworkers (not outside people) telling that this is the worst career decision of my life. I find that really hard to believe.”

They are probably just jealous.

[FIFO NET]

I went from a regional firm to a Big 4 a few years back. By far the toughest few years I have ever had professionally, but definitely a good decision. My career prospects are 100% different, not better or worse, but just solidly different. And, the change fits my personality a lot better than a smaller firm. However, I know people who have done the same and hated every minute of it. You really need to think about what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice. The hours and stress are different. The yearly hours are approximately equivalent, but just skewed differently between nearly all spring (smaller firm) to spread nearly evenly throughout the year (Big 4) with peaks in the spring and fall. If you are thinking about making the move, you just need to determine what fits your personality best and what you are willing to put up with and whether you believe the change in career prospects will be worth it in a few years when you head out into private.

[FIFO NET]

I went from a regional firm to a Big 4 a few years back. By far the toughest few years I have ever had professionally, but definitely a good decision. My career prospects are 100% different, not better or worse, but just solidly different. And, the change fits my personality a lot better than a smaller firm. However, I know people who have done the same and hated every minute of it. You really need to think about what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice. The hours and stress are different. The yearly hours are approximately equivalent, but just skewed differently between nearly all spring (smaller firm) to spread nearly evenly throughout the year (Big 4) with peaks in the spring and fall. If you are thinking about making the move, you just need to determine what fits your personality best and what you are willing to put up with and whether you believe the change in career prospects will be worth it in a few years when you head out into private.

[fuzyfro89]

As long as you are comfortable with the possibility of a lifestyle difference (unpredictable hours, less control, etc), it's probably a risk worth taking.

The worst case scenario that I foresee… you don't like Big 4, also learn that corporate would not suit you, and decide that you want to return to a small/mid size public firm. It's very common for people to leave Big 4 for smaller firms to have a change, and that experience most definitely won't hurt you.

I see it as a low risk move. You may not gain a ton from it or you may make the best career decision of your life… but it's very very UNlikely you will come out worse from doing it.

[fuzyfro89]

As long as you are comfortable with the possibility of a lifestyle difference (unpredictable hours, less control, etc), it's probably a risk worth taking.

The worst case scenario that I foresee… you don't like Big 4, also learn that corporate would not suit you, and decide that you want to return to a small/mid size public firm. It's very common for people to leave Big 4 for smaller firms to have a change, and that experience most definitely won't hurt you.

I see it as a low risk move. You may not gain a ton from it or you may make the best career decision of your life… but it's very very UNlikely you will come out worse from doing it.

[Author]

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