What are the Big 4?

Is Accounting even a major that students are attracted to anymore? I’m helping for recruiting and we barely had any students show up for recruiting to a school where I went and the line for big 4 was wrapped around the wall. It makes sense if Going to school for accounting + extra credits to get to 150, lower starting salary, more hours during busy season, and have to pass the hard CPA exam. Doesn’t sound attractive to me.

We recently lost a proposal to a Big 4 competitor. Apparently, they offered to do it at half our price. I don’t understand how they can afford to do this. Our projects are staffed with tiny teams as it is.

Advice needed. Got a job offer from my dream company, 15k bump in salary, stock options, large jump in PTO, 40 hour work week and way better healthcare. So all in all a better opportunity. I feel guilty leaving my Big 4 job during this time. New company said I can take a month to wrap up some work at my current job if needed. Leaving now would leave my team drastically short staffed for the fall. New hires pushed till 1/1/21. Should I feel guilty? How do I tell them and not burn bridges?

If your switching big 4 firms, what’s a good reason to give that would be acceptable?

B4 is just a fast track to a mediocre lower middle class life. Why slave away for it?

Which Big 4 has the best benefits?

Poll for the group - How common are PIPs at the various Big 4? Is it like the whole bottom 10% of everyone’s group or a once-in-a-while-this-person-is-dumb kind of thing? Have heard of quite a few within my group and wondering if it’s normal or something isn’t quite right.

Call your shot. Which Big 4 firm will have the first case of covid-19 in the US? And what office?

Is working at a Big 4 really that “prestigious”? If so, why? I recruited with Big 4 (rejected by MBB) during college, but ultimately chose ACN for the pay and the culture (at least within the campus recruiting team). Did I make the wrong decision long-term?

So I work at a small (6 people) accounting firm, not in a big city, but I've been there 3 busy seasons for tax, I've passed 2/4 CPA exams, and I make $40k. No passing bonus, no raise structure, idk what their plan is for me after I get my license, basically no benefits. So I want more, I love the people but I think I should leave, I don't know where to look though. I'm nervous about a big 4, i don't know if I can go industry without big 4 experience, any advice?

Which Big 4 will be first to get people back in the office? I think the one that can figure it out with the right precautions will be the new leader. It will take some effort, but I think we need to get back to it. Let’s roll our sleeves up and figure this out.

Can people stop posting their big 4 offers and CPA exam scores on Linkedln?

I can’t believe how people in Big 4 think what they do matters. Blows my mind.

What are the personalities of each big 4? Is there really a differentiator in people across each big 4?

Has any B4 or other PA firms made a statement on what’s going on with the recent riots?

How do you define EOD if you had to give it a specific hour on the clock? Honestly feel like Big 4 EOD is all over the place - could be 5 PM or 11:59PM 🤷🏻‍♀️

After working for the B4 for 3 years, I just rejected my first six fig offer. Young me would be so pissed off but life too short to “live to work”.

What do MBB consultants really think about Big 4 consultants????

What is the best time to try to jump from a regional firm (top 15) to B4? Post-corona, of course.

Is it true that people get "Blacklisted" for trying to leave for another Big 4?

Checklist of personal items to do before leaving a big 4 firm (offer with new job already accepted): 1) get listing of CPE history, 2) print performance reviews, 3) claim any monetary awards for the fiscal year if haven’t already (health, awards, etc), 4) download personal files from computer Anything else?

Sorry but what do the Art Directors on this app do. I always thought this app was for Big 4 and consulting firms folks.

Feel really blessed...just got an offer for 150k with 4 YOE in B4 and no MBA

Covid was a chance for any of the Big 4 to step up and show they really cared about their employees. Unfortunately none have. Can’t say I’m surprised.

So can we claim the trophy of being the worst of big 4 now? Not to brag, but I think we are kind of in the lead here 🌝

Does consulting have a drug problem (not alcohol). I just started at big 4 consulting and my parents just started telling me about how so many of their friends in consulting had drug problems. 90s thing or are my parents just crazy?

I'm really good at my job, a high performer and have visibility with partners. However, I hate it. I wake up in the mornings feeling angry and resentful. I'm not able to exercise creativity as I'd like to, and feel I'd be happier in a completely different field. I'm scared to leave behind the reputation I've built. Big 4, it's safe/comfortable/addictive and Im addicted to being on cruise control. Anyone else been through the same?

So how much money do you think the Big 4 is saving now that we’re paying all our expenses like electricity, printing, pens, & not expensing any meals and no travel?

Monday fun: rank big 4 overall subjectively, no reason needed. Here comes mine: Any Big 3>EY.

Unpopular opinion: the worst part of working in public accounting is listening to people who haven’t worked a day outside Big 4 in their lives complain about how much they hate it.

Has anyone left big 4 to go to industry and realize you’re working just as much as you did in big 4? What did you do about it?

Can anyone honestly say “I’m proud to work at my firm” considering all they have done to us these past few months? I do not know a single Big 4 or national firm that has handled this pandemic well.

Is wearing a luxury piece as an associate acceptable? My family essentially passed down a lot of assets/investments to me after graduating university so I essentially have an 8 figure net worth as a associate auditor 1 at a big 4. I’m looking at getting something like a Urwerk/RM, or a Patel 5711 Nautilus, but I’m very afraid it would look bad for me at work. Any advice is appreciated.

Advice for younger professionals: Don't stress too much about a job in Big 4. Most people leave after 4ish years anyways. Once you're in your 30s, nobody is going to care about what Tier you got in performance reviews. Focus on growing as a person and enjoying your 20s because they fly by and you only get to be young once

Big 4 bonuses this year seem to be gone. Prediction: next year’s will as well. Would this (theoretically no bonus till 2022) make you leave consulting?

Bugs me that none of the Big 4's are named/started/founded by a woman. Sheeesshhhh

What is the easiest level to get hired at in big 4?

Honestly in Industry now, I can honestly say B4 over tuned my skills. I find that I absorb information faster than my peers and my deliverable time is quicker.

Between the entitled clients, all of the fringe benefits being cut (expensing meals, nice hotels when traveling, etc), losing the actual benefits (PTO and bonuses), and nonexistent or minimal pay hikes, why are you still at a B4? Weren’t these things part of the reason you signed? Even if you don’t want to leave PA, why not go to a mid-tier firm, make a lot more money, and have mid-tier clients?

My client sent me flowers after my wife just gave birth. Is this allowed? I’m at a B4. I know it’s just flowers but not sure lol.