[Anonymous]

Obviously it looks better on your resume if you work for a big 4 firm rather than a mid tier public accounting firm but what about the learning experience. From what I have heard, you will actually learn a lot more from a mid tier firm than from a big 4 firm. I have heard that big 4 firms will only put you on one client and you are testing only one item such as fixed assets. Where in a mid tier firm you work with many clients and you are also testing a variety of items. I am talking about the assurance (audit) side of public accounting. Can anyone tell me if this is true?

[Mayo]

“I have heard that big 4 firms will only put you on one client and you are testing only one item such as fixed assets”

Only if you have large clients. Best thing to do is get a mix. Big 4 > mid tier in terms of pure brand recognition.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[jessica8926]

I was on a big client in a big 4 for two years and it was my only client during that time. It was beneficial for me to have only one client for a few reasons. It was nice to know where I was going everyday and have a set schedule in that sense. I also did not have to do any travel either because of it. To answer your question though i got major experience on that big client. because they were so big there was always something new to work on. yes i did have one main item – revenue, but it was nice to have a large piece that i could be a pro at and then have smaller newer areas to keep challenging myself. the client also went through two major acquisitions both domestically and internationally so it was awesome experience. i think it just really depends on the client you get at a big 4. but in most cases you will have 2 or 3 smaller or mid size clients in a big 4. i was the odd ball.

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