[Anonymous]

What do people normally do for theirs? Brainstorming on ways to push the performance envelope

[pharaoh]

I am not sure I get the question but here is what I always tell myself do your best, understand your tasks, deliver on time or even before, cooperate with others, show that you are willing to learn and willing to mentor others with less experienced, Be the employee that any company would like to have, don't be a boss and be a leader.

FAR 8/2016
AUD 1/2017
REG TBD
BEC TBD

[Anonymous]

What I am trying to say is what do people at their firms do to go above and beyond. Beyond just delivering your work on time and with quality – or even early with noteable quality.

Something that's truly non-generic and different. Difficult to replicate overnight.

Maybe an idea would be to learn the very most basic portions of the tasks specialists perform for your team – and perform those tasks aiding your teams budget performance.

The issue is if you're with a well-oiled group. Sometimes these things require digging very deep to spot. Right now, I'm brainstorming before busy season kicks in.

[Operation_CPA]

Performance differentiators in Big 4 (from what I've heard) are pretty rare. Like the poster above explained, it has to be something above and beyond.

Examples of this I've heard: stepping up in a need-based circumstance and completing work (with quality) outside of your normal job position/title. Like performing work that a senior would normally do when you're a 1st year associate. Something along those lines.

[letsrun4it]

Be the right ethnicity, political affiliation, from the right family…oh wait, we're supposed to pretend it's all based on performance.

BEC: 85
REG: 74, 78
AUD: 86
FAR: October?

[bigcore20]

@letsrun4it Lol that's only true for hiring purposes. Getting performance differentiators is all on you

[Substantive Testing]

Building up relationships with seniors and managers while delivering on time. At the end, the people who grade you are the seniors and managers.

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming you are a first year or second year associate.. As a first year it's a little tough to stand out because we aren't sure what to expect yet.. I'd focus on learning as much as possible, getting your work done effectively and efficiently, not getting the same comments twice, helping out and teaching the interns if you are able and if you do get the opportunity to communicate with the client – making sure that goes smoothly. As a second year, standing out would be teaching new hires the items you worked on last year, bringing new ideas to the table (maybe the way items tested last year weren't necessarily the best), managing your work load, showing that you are capable of doing senior tasks (i.e.: taking a stab at a new workpaper, writing a memo, etc), speaking up at meetings with the manager and partner – show that you know what's going on, and following up with the client on any issues to where you can finish an entire work paper that may have had issues without the help of the senior.. I would meet with your senior and ask what their expectations are of you going into busy season and ask what you can do additionally to exceed those expectations.. Most staff don't take the initiative to have those conversations but if you have an experienced senior, they likely have some expectations of you throughout busy season.

[waffle_house]

Be a “yes man” and do whatever the senior manager says even throwing yourself under the bus to make them look good.

[wng1885]

What types of positions would be available at a Big 4 if you have passed your CPA and have a couple of years of work experience as a staff accountant? I should be done with my CPA around mid year, next year. I'm looking over my options right now for employment.

[Pete]

You would start as entry level audit essentially, if you wanted to go into audit; the same would likely apply for tax. I'm finding that industry experience means shit to the BIG 4. Industry experience will help you get hired, but it won't count for experience in terms of the level you enter. Also, unless you're on campus, you would apply as an experienced hire. From what i'm seeing, “experienced hire” means you enter a much more competitive pool to gaining entry (ie. it's significantly harder to get a job as an experienced hire than it is from on campus recruiting).

Consulting is likely a whole different animal altogether though. I'm considering doing consulting work at the B4, instead of tax/audit.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

If you're looking to differentiate yourself, try to get yourself on an IPO client.
I've heard of people getting early promotions (1st year staff -> senior) because they worked so well with the client and showed good leadership.
Personally, my first busy season was beast enough as it was. However, if your goal is to really differentiate yourself, this may be for you.

[Author]

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