[Anonymous]

A little about myself.

I am currently working for a not-for-profit organization (which does make a lot of money lol) in DC area as a Budget Analyst (4.5 year of experience) and make about $95k a year. I am in my early 30s and passed all CPA exams. Master degree in Accounting. Had a new born in the house so basically cannot afford a huge pay cut, ruling out the entry level positions.

Is there any chance (or worth it) to get a job in the big 4? I have been going through the career web pages of the Big 4 and got the sense that Advisory might be the only field at which I have a shot.

I always wanted to work for the Big 4 back in school but wasn’t able to get in due to various reasons (recession and immigration status, neither of which is a problem now).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Got swamped at work yesterday and didn't check the replies. Surprised to see so many responses. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.

The reason why I thought about getting a Big 4 job mostly relates to my current situation. My current job pays well with very good benefits. However, I work for a relatively small organization with flat organizational structure. I have a controller above me and then CFO, and I am already working half of my hours directly with the CFO. I might get a title change in the near future to Senior Budget Analyst but that doesn't make any differences on what I actually do. I felt like I cannot learn new things here and don't want to end up being Budget Analyst for life

I have 2 career paths that i am really interested in getting into. One of them is to be an Accounting Fraud Special Agent for FBI (I probably won't be able to get in as a naturalized citizen as the job requires security clearance). The other one is to have my own practice. Both of them kind of need some sort of public practice experience (if not limited to Big 4). Don't laugh at me if both sound like jokes to you. Those are the things I really want to do but have not yet given any serious thought. And I am happy to take suggestions as well.

The reasons why I want to work for Big 4 now are: Reputable companies that helps with resume, public practice experience, more career change potential than being a budget analyst. I know I should have made the move may be 3 years earlier, but didn't do so due to immigration status (cannot leave my company before my green card gets approved. Used to be on a working visa which allows me to work only for my currently employer). So, I ended up thinking about the move now. I agree that the pay cut will be more steep for a 5-year budget analyst than for a 7-year LBI/IRS revenue agent, and that's like the top obstacle for me to make the move. But I think Smarty_Pants is right, I should definitely talk to people, just like I am here asking you guys for opinion.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

[Anonymous]

@chnbsb – I work at a small CPA firm that works alongside with the Big 4. I recently joined the firm because I like the idea of getting to work along with the Big 4 rather than be IN the Big 4. With that said, would you consider looking into the smaller CPA firms that subcontract with Big 4 firms? This way you can still maintain some sanity. I also did this because I have a little one at home and while I have the “Work for a Big 4 Fantasy” in my head, I know that the reality of a Big 4 is they eat their young and by that, they work you to the bone. By being in a smaller firm, I get to learn and interact with the Big 4 beasts while learning how a CPA practice operates from the ground up. I did take a pay cut, but I was coming out of the Fed and it was to be expected. That is just life. Ask yourself this, “Is working for a Big 4 a fantasy?” “What is my reality?” “What is MY bottom line, not the current or future employers' ?” I hope this helps you with coming to terms on what works best for you professionally and personally.

[Mayo]

Thread title: “Industry to Big 4?? “

Quote: “I am currently working for a not-for-profit organization (which does make a lot of money lol) in DC area as a Budget Analyst (4.5 year of experience) and make about $95k a year”

WTF am I reading? Dude…you're currently living the dream. High pay and low hours. Stay there and don't look back. Why would you want to take a 50% pay cut for a 50% minimum bump in hours?

Makes no sense.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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