[KotikBegemotik]

I recently got an offer from a cozily-sized CPA firm. It’s a decent, respectable offer. I haven’t received any other offers but might hear back from a slightly bigger, but still quite cozy, firm. I’m concerned that a position at a really small firm (read: miniature) would be a dead end.

I am done with the Exam and am pursuing higher ed.

[Anonymous]

Just my 2 cents. I started out as an intern at a tiny firm, (1 partner, 2 staff accountants), and actually found it very beneficial. The reason is because I was able to work in a cross-departmental manner in regards to tax returns, audits, monthly compilations, payroll, AP, ect, ect. This helped me significantly in gaining a large chunk of accounting experience before transferring to a larger, corporate job. I know (from what I've heard), is that larger firms are more departmental in regards to tax, audit, ect. Audit staff work on audits, tax staff work in tax…again, from what I've heard.

So, if you are starting out, its good to get your foot in the door when you can and get what experience you can now.

[littlenumberrobot]

I work for a small firm too! 1 partner, 2 part time CPA's, 1 fulltime CPA, and me(plus 1 admin). Came from a larger firm, and I love it. I work daily, directly with the partner. There are no levels of staff we are just all staff even though some of them have way more experience than I do. You may not get to “move up” which sounds like that is what you are worried about. But from what I can tell here at my firm even though there are no “managers” or “seniors” employees are well compensated. So what is more important to you? The title and the money? Or having a great life/balance, like the people you work with, exposure to complex projects and be well compensated?

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[SIMSLAYER]

I second CMaxwell. I think at the end of the day it just depends on what you make of the opportunity and what your ultimate career goals are.

I have worked at a 10 person firm for going on eight years now. I do it all. Comps., Reviews, Audits, Tax, Payroll Tax, etc., for small businesses. I understand that at the larger firms (at least in the beginning) people are not only assigned to audit or tax, but are further segmented into smaller task-based specialties (like being in charge of just the Cash portion of audits, rather than for entire audits).

In smaller firms like the one I am at, you get exposure to a lot of areas and are able to work fairly autonomously. A lot of times you work directly with clients and eventually you get to know the overall picture of their business situations (not just that you have reasonable assurance that their cash balance is free of material misstatement at 12/31). Also, the formalities are much less. There is not nearly as much emphasis placed on time budgets, billable hours, dress code, a mandatory number of overtime hours in tax season, etc.

The larger firms of course offer more prestige, name recognition, opportunities to work with publicly traded companies, etc. which could lead to more lucrative opportunities in the future depending on what your goals are. If you have lofty goals that is the direction you should probably favor. If your goal is along the lines of opening your own firm that serves small business one day, working for a smaller firm would be right up your alley.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[Anonymous]

I think SIMSLAYER is right on point with his comment, but here is my experience.

I work at a small small firm as well (about 10 employees). most CPAs and about 2-3 that are not. I think it's a good place to start and end or settle down in one's career, but you will be limited on the clients you work on. At my firm we do all nonpublic entities, and upper middle middle class individuals and some high net work clients. This has been a great learning experience of course, but i want more.

The work life balance is AMAZING, but i will not get a comprehensive tax experience here. Smaller firm smaller clients. And like you had described, their isn't really a hierarchy and I am the youngest by YEARS so upward mobility is damn near impossible.

depending on what your career goals are, i think small firms are great for beginning your career, and or ending/settling your career.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with everyone here. Try to get a job at a big firm. It's always good to start big, then transition to small after you have experience. You do not get the experience at a small firm that you would at a big firm. No question about that. But if this is the only offer you have – take it and continue to pursue higher education as you said.

[musicamor]

I agree with CA_Future_CPA_1222 and disagree with the rest of you. Unfortunately, smaller firms cannot offer what the big firms offer. No matter how much cross-training and cross-functionality there is in a small firm, you will always be pigeonholed at a small firm; they just cannot offer you the DEPTH of experience a large firm offers.

I started at a small firm and am now reaping the negative benefits of not having been with the Big4. I knew that I did not want to stay in accounting; my short-term goal has been Director of Financial Reporting or Assistant Controller–unfortunately, I am frequently excluded from the running for these types of position simply because other candidates have Big4 experience. My resume could match up perfectly to what they're looking for; every time, however, they go with the Big4 person. I have a great resume and well-rounded experience but I always get passed up.

My advice–start big get the DEPTH (not just the width) of experience and then decide if you would like to scale back from there. If you're like me and do not want to stay in public, Corporate offices will love your resume if you have Big4.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

Fantastic point. People here often misconstrue small firm experience with broad exposure to every accounting area, but in reality you get very little depth and just a lot of width. Why does it matter if one can prepare a simple payroll tax return or sales tax return and be able to audit a bank rec? It’s more impressive to prospective employers if you have in depth SEC experience or had worked on Fortune 500 tax returns.

I worked in a tiny, tiny firm – one CPA and myself (smaller than any other firm mentioned in this thread). And I now work at a Big 4 firm. I also worked for a few firms in between so I’ve seen it all. If you only have one offer and need the money, then of course take it, but always aim for a better firm that will set you up for the future.

[musicamor]

@CA_Future_CPA_1222–well said!

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[KotikBegemotik]

Thank so much for the amazing responses!

CA_Future_CPA_1222, I am wondering how did you transition out of the small CPA company into a Big 4? When did you decided to transition? Did you have any prior accounting experience with accounting? (I have a couple years' experience, that's why I ask.)

[Anonymous]

@KotikBegemotik – 85% luck, 15% work. I worked in small firms for about 3 years but attended a college that sent most graduates to Big 4 firms, banks, consulting firms, etc. I just came to a point where I saw the future at these small firms and didn’t like what was in front of me – 3% raises each year, only a week or two of PTO, not learning anything new, just doing the same 1040/1120S/1065 tax returns year after year. Listen, if that’s the type of life some people want, then that’s great. I don’t fault anyone for doing what they want to do. I do fault people for giving poor, uniformed advice. I truly believe starting at a small firm does not set you up for the future IF-IF-IF-IF you want to transition into something else. Now, if you want to start and end at that small firm and have the opportunity to make partner, then by all means, make that happen.

But that isn’t what I wanted. I still don’t know what I want to do, but I know I want to make an obscene amount of money and have the freedom to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it. I want to say “Oh hey, I want to fly to London this weekend to catch an Arensal game. I have the money and freedom to that”. I’m currently a Senior at a Big 4 firm and I’m not sure I’ll get what I want here….but that’s why I’m always thinking about what I can do to move on. We’ll see. I’m still very young.

So again, think about what you want out of life and then decide the best way to get it.

And to answer you question – I e-mailed/facebook messaged/called anyone and everyone I knew who had a Big 4 connection and essentially begged for an in for an interview. I reached out to people I didn’t personally like or respect, but I did what I had to do to get just one opportunity. So finally a Big 4 firm said “Ok, we’ll talk to you” and I crushed the interview and haven’t look back since. Isn’t there a quote that says” “luck is when hard work meets opportunity”? I believe that whole-heartedly.

[littlenumberrobot]

@KotikBegemotik

I am so sorry for misleading you and giving uninformed advice. I should have not answered seeing I don't know how difficult it may be to leave a small firm. Take my post with a grain of salt. Sounds like my opinion doesnt matter as much because I have not worked for a Big 4. I was just trying to help and I had experience at a small firm.

Good luck!!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Definitely saw that coming.

When I say “uninformed” I mean people who haven’t experienced both sides of the big/small firm coin. I’d be intrigued to see how many another71.com participants have significant experience in both. If one were to read my post, one would certainly learn that I believe working in a small firm is a fantastic decision if one were so inclined to pursue that particular career path, but I digress.

Go Arsenal!!!!!

[littlenumberrobot]

I think as with everywhere, big or small, everyone is going to have a different experience. For me moving to the small firm brought more opportunities to learn, I was a glorified booklkeeper before. And I believe your experience happens a lot too. Which is why your advice is more pertinent but that doesnt completely make mine irrelevant.

Another perk for small firms… I have nothing to do today which is why I am posting here so much! (hope everyone can hear my sarcasm)

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Nobody’s thoughts and opinions are irrelevant. This forum often discusses big vs small in the big OR small context when I’m trying to change that paradigm so we view the big vs small discussiong through a big AND small lens. If that makes sense.

But yeah I remember the days where I would literally do less than 5 minutes of work and go home at 5 on the dot. That was fantastic. I wish I was more productive in my “time wasting” time by like writing a novel or reading global news or something other than going on espn.com all day.

Seriosuly…..GO ARSENAL!!!!!!!

[KotikBegemotik]

@littlenumberrobot

Sorry if it seemed like I was ignoring your advice. It's really wonderful that you've found a company where you're happy and, to be honest, I'm a tad jealous of that.

I've worked/interned at small companies for all of my so-far career. There's been the good, the interesting, and the oh-my-god ugly. I've heard a lot of good about small CPA companies. But I also want to make sure that I'm being realistic about my expectations with the potential for growth. I don't want to rely on my high expectation for personal growth or the high hopes of the company for their growth. That's why I'm asking all the nice people on this forum for their opinion and experience.

So, to sum it all up: Thank you!

[Author]

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