[vvSPAZvv]

Hi folks,

This may be trivial, but my big four onboarding has arrived. Backpack or shoulder lap top bag? I am a female, but am not interested in the ladies handbag. While I would prefer a backpack, I don’t know if it would be considered jiveneile.

FAR - 76! 10/15; (65) 7/15
BEC - 82! 11/15; (74) 8/15
AUD - 01/16
REG - TBA

[needcoffee]

Not sure about Big4, but some companies give you a backpack or a shoulder bag on your first day. If you haven't started yet, you may want to wait and see.

"It's choice not chance that determines your destiny".

[rp 12]

it depends on what you like. I have seen people (females) use backpacks.

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[Tuffy11111]

I'm a married guy, but I love my accessories – mostly watches. The first thing I did when I got my big 4 offer was put a kick ass work bag on my birthday list.

A messenger bag/briefcase seems like it would look much more professional than a backpack.

I was looking at this one the other day:

Anyone know if it's ever reasonable to have more than 1?

BEC - 83 7/25
REG - 76 5/2/15
AUD - Hopefully before MY Audit...7/5?
FAR - 83 5/2/16

[More_Coffee]

I don't work at Big 4, but I work at a regional firm and am a female. When I interned last fall, they gave me a shoulder bag… it was horrible. It got SO heavy and bulky with my laptop and the second monitor and everything else that I was carrying around. I'm typically at a different client every 1-2 weeks, so I'm carrying that thing around a lot, especially if there's travel involved. 🙁

I was told by all of the staff to get a backpack ASAP, which luckily, they gave me when I started full time… it's so much easier to deal with and has more space. I'm not sure who would see an auditor carrying a backpack around as juvenile… maybe people do, I don't know. 🙂 No one has ever said anything to me or given me strange looks. All of the audit side of my firm use and prefer backpacks…. we just have a lot of heavy crap to carry around. Maybe it would be different at Big 4 though, if you're at the same client for months at a time and aren't needing to carry everything around so often, I don't know.

REG - 86 (4/11/15)
BEC - 92 (5/29/15)
AUD - 99 (7/23/15)
FAR - 89 (11/23/15) It's over!!!
>> Becker Self Study

[Tuffy11111]

” and the second monitor”

I had been thinking about that. Is this common for them to give you? I was planning on being the mega-nerd I am and bringing one of my spares from home.

BEC - 83 7/25
REG - 76 5/2/15
AUD - Hopefully before MY Audit...7/5?
FAR - 83 5/2/16

[More_Coffee]

I'm not sure about other firms, but mine gives portable second monitors to all the auditors. I'm sure most firms would. 🙂 I don't know what I would do without it.

REG - 86 (4/11/15)
BEC - 92 (5/29/15)
AUD - 99 (7/23/15)
FAR - 89 (11/23/15) It's over!!!
>> Becker Self Study

[TNCPA16]

I'm a woman and I carry a backpack. I've tried shoulder bags, but it is such a pain travelling and having my bag fall off of my shoulder every 5 seconds…especially when I'm trying to carry a purse on my shoulder too. A backpack may not be as professional looking, but it is way more functional for me. If your firm is giving you the option of a backpack or a shoulder bag, then clearly they do not see a backpack as juvenile and you should pick the one you prefer.

[fuzyfro89]

I used the firm issued bag for a few months, but ended up switching to a north face black backpack and have used it for the remainder of my time with the firm and even now that I'm in industry.

Honestly, people could care less what you keep your laptop in. They'll judge you 10x more for your clothing and general appearance before your bag. Just keep it clean and you'll be fine… the bags can get heavy once you put a laptop and maybe some paper stacks in there.

If you get any negative comments about it, then maybe you can reconsider, but I would think that would be fewer and far between.

[Anonymous]

As a female in B4, I opted for a shoulder bag when I was an intern and it was terrible. My commute consists of a few block walk and a train and the bag got heavy and annoying really quickly. When I started full time I opted for the lady's bag, and while it's less miserable than the shoulder bag, it's still not ideal for commuting. Looking back I wish I had gone with the backpack.

So if your commute is a trek definitely go with the backpack.

[silvercamaro77]

Backpack all the way. Not all firms give second monitors but some do.

AUD- 95
FAR- 75
BEC- 83
REG- 85

Officially done! Exclusively used NINJA for BEC, REG, and FAR

[GotCPA]

Backback. No doubt. You won't care about “more professional” bag, once you start stacking the bag with computer, portable monitor, hubs, folders, documents, etc. You get the point.

[vvSPAZvv]

Thanks all. My firm provides the choice of bag (we can choose between a backpack, shoulder bag, and lady's shoulder bag). I will probably go with the backpack based on all of your advice. I figure I can always upgrade the backpack if I dislike it or get a different bag in the long run.

I am just hoping most of my clients will be business-casual. Perhaps I'll invest in a leather bag for the suit-only clients.

FAR - 76! 10/15; (65) 7/15
BEC - 82! 11/15; (74) 8/15
AUD - 01/16
REG - TBA

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

The laptop shoulderbag my firm provides is TSA approved. When I used it, I didn't have to take my laptop out of the bag. I just had to “unfold” it by opening up the zippers. That's pretty convenient.

The downside is that the bag is very bulky and can get a little heavy with just a laptop and power cable in there. So annoying.

I put my shoulderbag away in my closet and purchased a Timbuk2 Bender backpack. Waterproof and very durable. I never take it to client meetings, though, as it looks unprofessional. For client meetings I have a cheap but nice looking Kenneth Cole leather messenger bag. On days in the office (which is pretty much 99% of my days), I use the Bender and I love it. It's got a sleeve inside for your laptop and plenty of space for other junk.

I want to mention that I also have my firm's backpack but I'm not a fan of how it looks. It's very chunky as there is a lot of padding in it for laptops. I never even took it out of its plastic wrap. I'll stick with my Bender.

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[Anonymous]

or

Best of both worlds. I didn't have these specific ones when I worked in public, but I had one like it. Business looking for days you have meetings, convertable to a backpack for days you need to schlep all over god's creation with equipment, files, etc. Lifesaver.

[vvSPAZvv]

@Pork Flavored Bacon — I think the bags I am offered to choose from are all TSA-approved. I understand what you mean with style though. I checked out those Bender bags — they are pretty nice. I love the customization options for them.

@CPA means Cant Pass Again — I have never thought of looks for a versatile bag like such. I actually did not even know they existed. It seems like they have good reviews and are priced really reasonably.

FAR - 76! 10/15; (65) 7/15
BEC - 82! 11/15; (74) 8/15
AUD - 01/16
REG - TBA

[Author]

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