[pnielsen1982]

To take your mind off studying for a few minutes, I have a question for you to ponder about…

I got into a conversation with a friend about how you never see overweight people (women especially) in public accounting – especially at Big 4 firms. My friend thinks I’m crazy, but I seriously can’t think a single person I went to school with that was overweight and got in with a Big 4 firm. I can’t even think of one that got on with a local firm.

So, I’m curious to see what you guys think about this. For those of you that actually work at Big 4 firms, do you work with people who are overweight? Did you guys go to school with anyone who was overweight and got into public accounting? Help settle the debate.

CA licensed CPA

AUD - 08/31/13 - 84
BEC - 11/26/13 - 84
FAR - 08/10/14 - 85
REG - 11/30/14 - 72, 02/20/15 - 87

What have I gotten myself into?

[Valerie_Jo]

This topic is very sensitive for me. I have always been overweight, not majorly, but just chubby. For example, I'm 5'8″ and weigh 200 pounds. Sounds like a lot, but I actually carry it quite well. Not to toot my own horn, but I have a very pretty face. I tried so hard to get into the Big4 out of graduate school with no success. I'm great in interviews, I've always received compliments about it. Until trying to get into public, I had never had an interview that I wasn't offered a job as a result of. I bounced back and forth between wondering if it was because I was 29 (too old?) or chubby. LOL

I'm not upset about it…it is what it is, but it's just weird now that you brought it up. I thought I was just being sensitive. Who knows….maybe there is some unwritten hiring rule that they will never speak of.

FAR: 84
BEC: 88
REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

Licensed CPA in WI

[nicole2035]

probably because exercise reduces stress. there are legit some days with my full time job, cpa studying, cpa fees (which my company wont reimburse bc i havent been there a year), and taking 1 final course to get my full 150 i would break down and cry if i didnt work off some of the stress. Not to mention this is a new location for me, so i don't have many friends. I just keep going because i have a big reward for myself after it all.

I eat really healthy, but it's only because i'd feel even worse some days if i didn't. Plus healthier foods tend to be cheaper & quicker to make. Hungy? Get some almond milk and protein powder and gulp it down, go about your day as normal. Having food in your belly honestly feels the same for me these days no matter what it is, unless a milk shake because i love milk shakes. I would hope being thin would help me get a better job bc i'm def losing weight from being broke lol. The best foods are the ones that cost you 2-3 to stock up on.

[jw_83]

Interesting thread… I don't know about Big 4, I never tried to get into one, but in my small firm, all the women are overweight. I wasn't when I started but sitting at a desk most of the day, stress eating from studying, oh and having a baby, I put on some weight. I am working towards losing it now.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Anonymous]

I believe the old 80-20 rule is still in effect. 80% of staff must have less than 20% of body fat. Failing weigh-ins gets you sent down to the regionals.

[Anonymous]

Lol @ehrman9 first time I've heard of that rule. I'm at 18%. I'm dangerously close to being sent down 🙁

[Anonymous]

Women naturally carry more body fat than men…I have no idea what my BF % is (kinda scared to find out)…but I hope this imaginary threshold is adjusted a bit upward for the natural composition of women 🙂

[Anonymous]

@CPA4birthdaypresent I'd say a bodyfat % of ~25-30% is considered healthy for women, whereas closer to 20% is for the men.

[Anonymous]

not sure which big4 u guys work for… but every engagement i have worked on has had at least one overweight person…..me.

[Mayo]

Yup. Plenty of overweight people public.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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