[misanthrope87]

I’ve been at my small firm for a year now. It has about 40 professionals or so and we mostly serve government and non-profits. The experience here is not ideal. Not too much financial audit exposure since there’s a lot of single audits going on. Some people haven’t even tested cash or AP after 2 years. It’s a really niche firm.

I got myself a phone interview with a Big 4 through a friend. I applied for an experienced associate position.

The question is, if I join a Big 4, will I have time to study? Or am I gonna have to work overtime everyday? My company isn’t good on pay, benefits, or experience but I have managed to get a decent amount of time to study. 2 hours every weeknight. Which is all I have time for after traffic…It’s exciting to have the possibility of working for the Big 4 because the name is golden on your resume, but I’m also afraid of not getting enough time to study. And do they only sign off if you go pathway 2? So many questions..

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[Anonymous]

The amount of overtime you're going to have to work at a Big 4 really depends on the client/team that you get put on. Most managers are pretty understanding if you let them know you're trying to study for the CPA. The only thing they care about is that you get your work done. I think 2 hours / weekday is definitely do-able even at a Big 4. Keep in mind that this is interim with year-end coming up (for 12/31 year-ends), so it's the busier time of year. Busy season (Jan – March) usually means 11+ hrs days.

[misanthrope87]

During non busy season do you think it would be possible for 8 hour days like normal?

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[Anonymous]

It's definitely possible. It depends on a lot of things though…like what office (city) you're going to be in, what client you get put on (like…what if it's an IPO), how your team is etc.

[mnCPAwannabe]

Stop worrying about it from an “hours” perspective, and worry about it from an attitude perspective. Yes, you are going to have long days (some 8 AM -10 PM) and you are going to have short days (some 8 AM – 5 PM), but they'll be highly unpredictable and varied. That being said, I know plenty of people who are making it work with their study schedule – it is very possible. Just get after it, take tests at a slow pace (1 per window), and do not attempt to do any studying in the Jan-Mar timeframe.

Good luck on your interview, I'd highly recommend pursuing this opportunity!

(Currently working at B4)

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[misanthrope87]

@wannabe You're right. I should take opportunities as they come. They don't come everyday.

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[Author]

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