[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone,

Was recently offered a position with one of the Big 4 as a Tax associate in the Asset management group.

Is the work that difficult as many people say it is? Like very complex to understand? If one is able to successfully complete the CPA exam would that mean that person would be able to hade a job with a Big 4?

Or do people say it is difficult due to the long hours they have to put in?

Thanks in advance.

[cpa1982]

Since it's Asset Management Group, you would be doing tax work for mutual/Hedge/Real Estate/private equity funds. It's very specialized tax and some issues are complex but same can be said about regular corporate, international tax. Passing regulation section of CPA exam will give you general knowledge of certain taxation issues but like I said It's very specialized tax and I didn't see any topics covered in study materials. In the beginning, it can get overwhelming. They don't expect you to know everything. Just relax and ask for help if you don't understand something. Good Luck with your job!

[Anonymous]

Thanks cpa1982 for your response. Really appreciate it. If one is “smart” enough to pass the cpa, is he or she “smart” enough to handle big 4 related work?

[Nessie]

The skills you will need to know will be taught on the job. Everything I do in Tax at one of the Big 4 is much, much more complicated than the CPA exam. Personally, I don’t work long hours at all, but I work in advisory, not compliance. My hours were 9 to 7:30, or 8 during busy season, and 9 to 6:30 off-season.

It behooves them to teach you your job, so don’t worry about it and hopefully the people you work with will have a life outside of work, so you wont have to pretend to work until 10pm every night.

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[Anonymous]

@nessie thanks for your response. You made me feel a bit less nervous. I'm hoping the times you mentioned are the same for me.

If you don't mind, which state do you work in?

[Author]

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