Currently weighing a Big Four position against working with a local firm that's been around for 30 years. The smaller firm's senior manager spent an hour walking me through how they develop staff, and I loved their approach. But my accounting professors always emphasized Big Four experience. What path would you take? I'm still early-career (2 YOE).

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I would go with the better fit. Big Four is always hiring, and if they are considering you now, they will consider you later with more experience.

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If it’s in Florida I’d never go with a small company. They get rid of people for no reason and they tend to have money issues.

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I work in consulting and have known some people from the Big 4, just please be aware of your own tolerance. I'm not sure how the small firms will treat you, but the big firms will 100% use you at the expense of your health.

Most consultants and seniors can work crazy hours on big projects. The pay has to be worth it, and sounds like you got a couple of years of experience that may or may not be relevant, so if you can, negotiate higher with the Big 4.

Be aware that you will learn in trial by fire and miss out on opportunities, time, and leisure outside of work AND still could be laid off. It may be a good experience, because you will literally be force-fed real world scenarios and forced to adjust while your stress tolerance checked.

End result is the ability to transition to industry ina higher position or other consulting companies, and typically higher pay than you would expect for a similar position in the industry (so don't forget to save and invest while you can).

So overall consider what you know about the local firm and what you want to do, if all things are equal in terms of workload and pay, then just go with the Big 4 for resume filler.

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I spent my first five years at a Big 4 firm and have no regrets. The experience gave me a strong foundation in auditing that I value greatly. Now, I work at a smaller regional firm and am happy with the change, but I am grateful that my early career was built on the solid training and exposure I got at the Big 4.

Go with the Big four.. You need the experience it will open you up better

Depends on what you’re solving for - career long term and opportunities or something else. Big four could give more of a change to switch long term

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