[thechapman]

Hey everyone. I did a search for this, and really only found threads asking about what cell phone costs will be covered through big 4. My question is largely unrelated to the cost aspect.

For those of you that work in big 4, what would you recommend in terms of your phone setup? Here are my two options from what I understand:

1. Transfer in my existing number to the firm and use one phone for both work and personal use

2. Order a separate work phone and maintain my own personal phone (paid for by me)

I suppose my main concern is if I only have one phone that the firm completely pays for, I will always be “available”. However, it seems like having two phones would not only be a little bit of a pain, but would also be kind of a waste. Does anyone have any thoughts on what has worked well for you? Thanks for any help on this.

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

I'd use your personal one. The reimbursement is a free round trip ticket to Costa Rica for two every year. You may be worse off if you get another. Don't assume that your phone costs will be reimbursed. The firm may not necessarily reimburse you until you are at a certain level, like manager.

My wife (Big 4 manager) is capped at like $90 or $100 per month reimbursement. If similarly situated, you get another with a nice data package, boom. You're out money to work more. Another problem is that what if you leave? You'll be stuck under contract on a phone you don't need to the tune of $100+ per month.

They'll wipe your personal phone before you leave though, so don't visit any sites that have leaked celeb photos on it…

[thechapman]

@billbrasskey So you're saying go with option #1?

Passed - 2014

[TNCPA16]

Regardless of how many phones you have and who pays for them, you are always going to need to be “available”!

Go with #1.

[Anonymous]

I'm most likely going with 2 phones (one paid for by the firm, one paid for by me), as I've got the same set of options. I'm sure they don't review/track all your content too closely but I don't want to log into my bank/trading accounts, etc with them being able to watch over it.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with option #1.

I should clarify that my wife kept her existing account and phone. The firm installed its software and beefed up the security. The difference is that she expenses her allowed amount and is reimbursed.

[Anonymous]

I don't know @thechapman‘s situation, but we either get a firm paid phone or we don't, there's no reimbursement option for maintaining our own phone only.

[thechapman]

@bpk1 sounds like that's the same as me. I just wanted to know if anyone had noticed any pros or cons to either of the options

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

I can only only speak for my wife's option. She's Big4. I'm at a boutique healthcare & forensics firm across the street. I don't get reimbursed (or a second phone).

I have to admit, the Big4 perquisites are sounding better and better everyday…

If possible, I may still be inclined to use my personal phone instead of taking a second phone- solely because it may be an avenue to stay in touch and/or keep some doors open after you leave the firm. If you use a firm phone those connections could get lost when you leave the firm. Not everybody is on LinkedIn. Just something to consider.

[Anonymous]

If they have access to call logs and other history, I would definitely want to keep my own phone, because I don't have a home phone so my cell phone is my only way to communicate with anyone not in person. There's a lot I say and do on my phone that is none of my employer's business!

[Author]

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