Comments on: Why You Should Work for the Big 4

By: TheCPA wanabe

TheCPA wanabe — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:24:43 +0000

For all you Big 4 wanabees, listen up! These firms are vuewed as Gods’by colleges and Universities across the U.S. After working two tax seasons back-to-back, I am finished with public accounting!! They will work you to the bone and many colleauges believe it is too much of a sacrifice working those long brutal hours 60-80. While others in industry leave their offices @ 5:00pm on friday to party!! F the Big 4!!!!

By: CT

CT — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:10:38 +0000

I have been working in public at a medium size firm for almost 6 years and I am in the process of taking my cpa exams.

Does it make sense to try to obtain employment at the Big 4 at this stage in my career? I do eventually want to go private and actually I have been looking for jobs in private, but have had no luck.

Recently I interviewed at a top 10 firm and they have extended me an offer, but I am not sure if it is just better to shoot for the Big 4.

By: Accounting Genius

Accounting Genius — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:03:25 +0000

@Superdad: When you exit will determine the trajectory of your career, so it really depends on what your career aspirations are.

@Yo Man: Do you have a CPA? How important is your CPA to your career growth? Do you want to be a controller of a public company? If you answered yes to the last question, take the job.

@big4?: Well, the Big 4 firms do offer excellent international rotation programs which can open up doors and give you the type of access I am talking about.

By: big4?

big4? — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:58:41 +0000

Hmm, and what about the area of growing markets, you’re still talking about the US where many of the Fortune 500 companies have their core business. For me it seems when(if) I sign the contract with the devil there will be no place else to grow further. (I live in Eastern Europe)

By: yo man

yo man — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 05:18:18 +0000

I am working or a company and drawing 100k. I have just got an offer from the BIg 4 and they want to pay me less by 20k. I am not sure if I should take this offer or not. Can anyone give me advise on this??

Really need help this time and want to make a decision.

By: Superdad

Superdad — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:14:27 +0000

I greatly appreciate the information. How long do you think someone should work at one of the Big Four before leaving? Should the individual leave after making Senior associate (2years), Manager (5 years)or stay even longer?

By: Wait, why do you want to do this? « Big4Bound HAS MOVED!

Wait, why do you want to do this? « Big4Bound HAS MOVED! — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:55:45 +0000

[...] why do you want to do this? A great post by Narrowing the GAAP got me thinking about a few statements I have heard over the past little [...]

By: beancounter

beancounter — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:32:48 +0000

The task orientation also lends itself to how you get paid at a big 4… for doing an audit (series of tasks) no matter how much time it takes you.

By: Krupo

Krupo — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:12:09 +0000

Ah yes, being task-oriented. I never thought of it in those words, but it describes what we do so well.

By: Drunken Partner

Drunken Partner — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:09:38 +0000

Hey Accounting Genius:

I think you nailed it in this sentence: “Unlike many office workers, you will learn to take a task-oriented approach instead of a time-oriented approach.”

Thus, having a task-oriented approach changes the way a meeting ends with a manager. It goes from how many days you can get this done to how many items on that to-do list can be done by a specific deadline. Having this approach creates the perception that the individual is a reliable guy which can be trusted with the most important tasks.

It also influences the power between yourself and your manager. The manager is happy as he can looks good in front of his own manager in meeting deadlines. However, true power lies with the one who performs those tasks. He decides the order to perform them as well as how many to perform by the deadline. Soon enough, he becomes the most important person in that department.

Drunken Partner