[Anonymous]

I haven’t even started working yet (just graduated) but I’m hearing so, so many stories about friends who hate working at the big 4. I know it’s a bit premature to think about this, but I just want to know.

I’ve heard a lot of audit employees end up working in client’s headquarters since even after just 2 years, sometimes clients start poaching them for internal audit positions.

What about us tax people though? I’m going to be working at a Big 4 doing taxes for high net-worth individuals (basically private personal taxes) so I’m wondering what my options would be if I ever decided to quit one or two years down the line (hopefully I’ll have my CPA by then too).

Any input is appreciated 🙂

[Skynet]

You can always start your own tax practice doing Taxes, Representation, and Bookkeeping. Most people I know are not even CPA's but are Enrolled Agents yet built very successful practices.

[Son]

cpaninjagirl, just a warning from a fellow Big4 tax guy – your field of focus has very limited exit opportunities (except for smaller private practice as Skynet mentioned). My suggestions would be to move into corporate tax or international and stay as general as possible if your ultimate goal is to leave public and join a Fortune company. If the goal is to open your own CPA practice, might as well get the experience.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Anonymous]

@skynet, I was definitely considering my own tax practice but think I'd probably need several years of experience under my arms before I can start something like that maybe

@son, i got placed into the group because one of the workers liked me during a summer program so didn't have much say sadly haha but I loved the group when I interned with them. Do you have any advice about when/ how to approach asking HR about moving me into a different group if I decide I want to?

[Anonymous]

If you want to do Taxes for the rest of your life – go into tax.

If you aren't 100% sure where you see yourself in 10 years, go into audit.

Thanks me later.

[Anonymous]

You could always go work in industry. A lot of publically traded companies have Tax departments. Also, other companies really have a need for someone with Tax experience to come in and learn the company, financial aspect and be a well rounded accountant where you could grow to Corporate Controller, Director of Tax, etc. I don't think 2 years of tax pigeon holes you for life. I had 7 years tax/audit, 3 year bookkeeping and now 8 of Financial Accounting for a publically traded company. I left public for an industry job as the Director of Accounting. Having experience in all areas has only helped.

But I would never want to own a tax practice or work in it again, so this path makes sense for me. Good luck!

[Son]

cpaninjagirl, first of all: if you like your group, there's a good chance you'll get stuck with it for life or a very long time. Seen it happen to a lot of people, you get comfortable and unwilling to risk that comfort for something unknown. Not saying it's a bad thing, just think of your long-term plan. And if that plan is to do something other eventually give yourself a year with your group, find a mentor or develop a good working relationship with your counselor during that year, and let them know when year-end reviews come up that you would like to make a move. Work really hard this year, treat it as a job you'd like to keep for the rest of your career, and they would do everything they can to keep you with the firm – even if that means transferring you to a different group. At least that's what has happened to a bunch of my friends.

Also, wouldn't hurt to network with people from the group you're interested in during office happy hours etc., not necessarily to tell them you want to make a switch, but just to have their support or at least interest when it comes to it.

Lastly, I agree that if you don't know what you want to do eventually and want to exit into industry, you should consider audit. Tax is great, but limits you in certain ways.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Author]

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