[Sandro]

Hi everyone,

I am 31 years old and I currently work for a small consulting company as a Controller for the past 4 years and a Accounting Manager for two years before that. I have my CPA license as well as my Enrolled Agent certificate. I am thinking of applying for a Manager position at a big 4 company. Do you think that my experience and my age (that I am not considered to be too old) will be enough to get my into a big 4 company? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Unless you have extensive experience as a financial statement auditor, you'll probably have a hard time coming aboard as a manager.

But, to answer your question, no- age is not an issue. I know more than one 30-40 yr old that came aboard as an Associate or Senior Associate. I'm one of them.

Many Big 4 partners like older applicants. They bring a lot to the table that 22 yr olds generally do not such as:

1) Wisdom

2) Composure & professional presence

3) Not smelling like cheap beer ever Friday morning

4) Generally not as flaky

5) They can trust them to speak to clients and not sound like an ass

[Sandro]

@billbrasskey – I was planning on going the tax route because most of my experience and my passion is in the tax rather then the audit field. I appreciate your response.

How many years of experience did you have when you joined as a Senior Associate and did you have your CPA license already?

[Anonymous]

Sandro-

I can't speak for tax, just audit. I had almost four years experience in forensic accounting at a CPA firm and I was a licensed CPA.

I know another person who left as a Sr. around 25 and came back after their kids graduated college at almost 50. They were a Sr. when they came back and the individual was promoted to manager a couple years ago (soon to be Director).

[Missy]

I think you can easily get into B4 at your age but I wouldn't expect anything above a staff position to start, not senior or manager. I have my license and many years of management experience in industry but don't think that it translates to walking into manager in public accounting especially without audit or tax experience.

I think you might climb the ranks more quickly based on your experience, but its apples to oranges really.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

With your experience, expect to come in as a first year senior. Staff would be a waste of your time so do not even consider that, but a manager is far from the realm of possibilities.

[Sandro]

@mla11692 I look at some of the individuals at LinkedIn and their profiles and they go to a senior level after they only have 3 months of experience as a intern with their CPA license. So as a staff I would be bellow the guy/girl who has 3 months worth of experience. Over my career I have over 5 plus years experience in tax consulting.

[Anonymous]

Sandro-

I'm guessing you're using hyperbole. A CPA isn't possible after three months.

As far as promotions go- Sr. Accountant takes approximately two years at EY, KPMG, & Deloitte. PwC requires a third year before promotion to Sr. The promotion from Sr. to Manager can take between two and four years depending on the variables.

You may qualify as a Sr. in the tax department, but maybe not. The Big 4 don;t make their money in tax doing 1040s. Much of the work is highly complex and centered around things like transfer pricing and other international tax situations/controversies. These typically require extensive valuation and consulting experience and little to no actual tax prep.

[Anonymous]

I was 33 when joined a big 4 firm. I had 10 years IT experience and 1 year financial audit experience coming in to IT Advisory practice. I came in at staff level, but they gave me the pay of a senior. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

After 2 years of audit experience with Big 4, then moving to industry up to the Accounting Manager level, I was able to get hired on as a supervising senior at a different Big 4 firm.

Based on my experience, the levels go as follows: Staff 1, Staff 2, Senior, Supervising Sr 1, Sup Sr 2, Manager…

Sometimes a person can skip from Staff 1 to Sr, or 1 year of Sup Sr to Manager.

[Missy]

Its certainly worth trying and seeing what you get for offers.

However I wouldn't make any assumptions based on folks' LinkedIn profiles. It doesn't necessarily paint the total picture.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[wr8280]

I was going to create a thread with exactly the same question with almost the exact same circumstances except you are an EA and CPA, I am just a CPA also having a Master's degree. I am also a controller at a successful manufacturer, but I am really feeling the pull of public accounting, but it seems like if I take that route it would be a step backwards, but after time it may be a huge leap forward. I have a lot of thinking to do.

FAR- 82
REG- 93
AUD- 89
BEC- 88

You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

[Author]

Replies