[Anonymous]

Hi Gang,

So a while back I ran into this manager who works at one of the Big 8; since then we’ve run into each other since we both work in the city. We also live in the same suburbs back home.

Since then, he’s invited me on numerous occasions to lunch and thus far, our schedules have not been compatible. We finally set a date for later this week and he said he will try to bring of of his staff members with him to lunch.

I currently work at a regional sized CPA firm, and want some Big 8 experience.

My question to you guys is: how would you know if this is more of a personal lunch or business lunch? I don’t want to be pestering this guy about a job or boring accounting talk if in actually he’s just sick of work and wants some leisure lunch with me who happens to also work in accounting.

What conversation topics should I pose if I am interested in joining his firm?

How would you guys approach this? Should I just “roll with the punches” and play along as it goes?

This might be a good opportunity for me to get a new job at a national CPA firm. After all, it’s all about networking, isn’t it?

[Anonymous]

Wow, you may be dating yourself a bit here, friend…it hasn't been the Big 8 in…jesus…YEARS (1989 I think is when Ernst & Whinney merged with Arthur Young and Haskin Sells became Deloitte & Touche to become the Big 6). I mean, pretty minor but you may get a funny look from this guy if you call it the Big 8.

As for the conversation, I'd let him dictate the flow and the tone of the conversation. Be an active listener and pay attention to conversational clues (i.e., be attune to his body language and if he's getting bored with what you're talking about, change the subject, etc.).

Hope that helps.

[Minimorty]

Roll with the punches. Dont bring up business before he does. Use it to build a good rapport with him. If business come up, then great. If not, just keep nurturing the relationship and hopefully you get a good referral. Avoid using the term “Big 8” at all costs.

[mla1169]

Definately follow his lead but I'd say if he's bringing any of his staff, he's probably not thinking a destressing personal lunch.

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[MeaDebitum]

Big 8… I haven't heard of that since my Intro to Accounting course's brief history lesson. What firm is it? You may just be moving from a regional firm to a larger regional firm.

[Whatdidyou]

Hehe

FYI: there is a big difference between the big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and everybody else.

In many areas moving from a large regional firm to a mid-sized national firm (such as BDO or GT) can actually be a step down as many of the regional firms often dominate the mid-sized international firms on an office by office basis.

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Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Anonymous]

LOL how embarrassing. I'm glad you guys gave me the heads up on the Big 8 misnomer. So there really isn't any term used for the distinction of the top accounting firms these days?

I don't want to get too specific here, but let's just say that the firm is definitely top 8 according to, this list:

https://www.bit.ly/I7b7i0

But someone made a good point — if he's bringing staff maybe he's trying to test to see how well I'd get along with his team. Here's hoping!

[Anonymous]

The top four accounting firms are called the “Big Four.” As Whatdidyou pointed out, those firms consist of Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Some additional research on the current accounting industry and environment probably wouldn't hurt, just in case the topic comes up at the luncheon.

[MeaDebitum]

I'm pretty sure what you linked has nothing to do with why the Big 4 are the Big 4. That looks almost like the results of an employee opinion survey.

[Author]

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