Best and worst of the Big 4? Serious inquiry, not here to make fun of KPMG or hype one up... And please provide why TIA :)

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Obviously PwC is the best.

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Let me think……yes

The only answer that can really be accurate across firms and market is: it depends on the group and people you’ll be working with. There is no way to generalize and ensure it’ll be applicable to your situation. I’d go with the group you feel you got along best with (assuming you’re interviewing for the same practice area at all 4).

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EY is calling

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I’d say that depends on location, sub service line, and what you’re trying to get out of it

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In my experience, kpmg was not the most prestigious when recruiting but had the most laid back and friendly people and opportunities for mentoring

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I consistently hear from recruits that the people at KPMG are the most down to earth and nice of the four. We have pretty good tech and good teams in my experience. I’ve had great mentors, whether assigned by KPMG or not. Good luck with the decision!

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Spent too much time after leaving Super K picking the knives out of my d@mn back. If I was at a client that used kpmg for ANYTHING I would switch providers.

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Worked for 3 of 4, and only at KPMG did a partner lie to my face. Nadless wonder he was.

likefunny

2nd this

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They’re all the same. Your experience is always going to come down to your client and the people you work with.

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All I know is pwc is the most convinced they are the best and EY has the worst PTO policy. Beyond that can’t help...

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I definitely think there is a distinct culture at all Big 4 which I always think it derives from what those firms do the most of. PwC does the most audits. DT does the most consulting. EY is about 50/50 between audits and consulting. If you’ve ever talked to an auditor or someone in advisory, you can probably assume all of the firms culture. Then the local team can probably be a mixed bag depending on location. Sometimes it may reflect the overall culture and sometimes it may not. Maybe you should just ask if anyone knows the groups culture at EY / KPMG, audit in NYC.

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You really can’t go wrong with any pick , just once you make the pick. Network like heck , be authentic and take a rotation or two while young to confirm career path and pass the cpa / certifications. If you feel stuck at one big 4 you can always jump to a new one .

likesmart

Personally I wouldn’t jump unless I had to.. aka wanted to switch from tax to advisory. Just wanted to let them know their are options if they don’t like their engagement team and are not ready for industry

There are something like nearly a million employees between the Big 4 in over 160 countries. You’re going to have some fantastic folks and some terrible ones in each. Focus on whether you want to do the work and if you liked the people you’ve met in your potential team and would want to work with them.

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They are all the same. Like you said, don't take the jokes on here seriously. Anything good or bad people have to say is all anecdotal and relative. And the same people get recycled between the firms anyway. What you should be asking about is the culture at the specific offices you are looking at.

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I’d re-ask the question specifying that you mean Audit in NYC and give your two options

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Depends on how you view “best”. I personally love Deloitte but as so many others have already said that mostly has to do with the people I work with. I can say I have felt personally and individually supported by my partners in my personal interests. When I have had issues they have listened and made changes.

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I liked Deloitte and PwC...good organizations. Although D probably would have canned my arse due to COVID...

Reason: have job offers at 2, and final round interview with 2

What’s the other firm. Do you know the industry? Also what level. Understand if you don’t want to share all this info. But we can give you more insight with more details provided. As it has already been said it varies by group!

Not EY lol

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