Does anyone actually like working at the Big 4 ? Specifically in audit, risk advisory or tax none of the speciality groups. Someone asked me today and I’m curious. Why would people waste their time in a career that they hate to exit to a career that is more of the same but pays higher. For those that hate the professions listed above why have you stayed at Big 4? For those that love the professions above state why. Please no one say that they “love” their co workers.

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I don’t hate it, but I definitely don’t love it either. I mean, it pays the bills well enough and something has to do that sufficiently

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I would be very curious to hear from anybody who has experiences jumping to family office

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It all comes down to the great flexibility in B4... I‘ve worked overtime hours from the kitchen table while my family is enjoying a meal, during vacations on the beach, in the car while taking a road trip, at night in bed next to my wife, and the list goes on. Many other jobs you have to work from 9-5 M-F but we get to crack our lap top open at all times and in all places. And the nice part is that you dont really have to track all of that too closely, cuz you can just eat your hours and are not getting paid extra. I love that flexibility

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EY really shouldn’t have dropped the degree requirements!

likefunny
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Stockholm syndrome

likefunnysmart

Dude I actually feel like you are right haha.. it’s crazy what these firms convince kids into believing...

I’m B4 audit and I’m mainly here because of the pandemic. I hope to be doing something else soon

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What was your dream job??

I have been here 27 years in audit. The pay and the flexibility is beyond where i thought I would ever be. You can never say you love everything about your job (employer or the work) as it is WORK and some years, teams, clients, leaders are better than others. But I can say that I truly love what I do from an overall sense. I like being an important part of the trust of capital markets, I love the challenge in creating a high performing team who works together well and trusts each other, and I truly enjoy solving problems and working through client issues. I love taking on a challenge of a tough client discussion and coming out the other side with mutual respect and providing the client with recommendations for a stronger control environment. I feel I am making a difference for both my clients and the people I work with. Maybe it's because I truly care, hard to express exactly.

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Really EY1 really? Try to be original

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Variety of work, flexible hours, decent pay, technology

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I wouldn't say I "love" auditing but I don't hate it. I look at each client as a "case study" to learn about how various businesses work successfully or unsuccessfully. I don't believe many other professions give you insight into companies books/controls like auditing. The pay is decent compared to other professions. Do the hours suck at times? Sure. Do politics get in the way at times? Definitely. Do some people just suck to work with? Yes. However, those risks still apply no matter where you go. If it's unbearable then just leave and change careers. Folks do this all the time and a lot of times the fear of the unknown is actually worse than the move you'd be making. I would caution that if you're career driven, no matter what 9/10 you're going to be grinding for some years before you become "comfortable". If you don't care to move up the corporate ladder then get a more chill job with a decent wage and enjoy life. Folks restart/change careers all the time and are still successful in the eyes of society.

Lastly I'll say, the big 4 is known to be a grind. Grind for as long as you can and get out. If you don't mind the grind try to make partner. Control your destiny, don't let the stress of the grind control you.

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Every job has its ups and downs. And not many jobs pay you six figures 5-6 years in and continue to give high percentage raises each year.

For me it’s the challenges of technical learning, dealing with people, essentially running your own book of business as you move up the ladder, etc. not saying it’s all rainbows. Def stressful at times but I feel well compensated

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I work in risk assurance and love it because I enjoy the pace and I’ve been able to work on many different types of projects and I don’t get bored. If I wasn’t as high of a performer or worked in a smaller market, I don’t think I would enjoy it as much because I wouldn’t get the same variety in my projects. I hope that now that we are a national practice, I’ll have even greater opportunity to work on unique projects.

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My experience is more common on the internal audit side for those of us in a larger market. I have seen several of my colleagues from both internal audit and process assurance practices switch to advisory groups so it is possible. A spot has to be available to switch, but it is possible.

OP, I appreciate the optimism, but kinda sounds like you recently found a new job, a great one too! And I’m happy for you, glad to hear someone made it to a better spot. But, just cause you did it doesn’t mean magically everyone in every group at big 4 can jump ship for wildly greener pastures with ease, which seems to be where you are going based on previous comments.

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I don’t disagree that there are great jobs out there. But your original message was very broad speaking. To think the entire audit group can find fantastic jobs is a bit bold. And schools don’t matter much after a few years. As someone who is about to hit manager in 6 months, and probably start looking to leave after 1 year at manager. I already know my school will be at the bottom of the resume, it doesn’t matter at that point

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I work in tax. I love it. The team really makes it. Like I have fantastic seniors, all the way up to directors that will go out of their way to make sure I learn everything I can.

Like the hours suck at times but during off season, it’s really lax in my practice. There are days I sleep in until 10/11, nap in the afternoon, and log off early. No one really cares as long as I get my work done

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As with every job, your results may vary. I work in the National tax department of a Big 4. I work with extremely smart people, many of whom I personally like, and have interesting work about 2/3 of the time. I wouldn’t trade my job for (almost) anything. If you’re not happy, move on. But don’t paint an entire industry because you don’t like your particular job.

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Lmao what?? Are you speaking generally or about the post. I am not painting PA in a bad light I’m just genuinely asking a question. A lot of people complain about Big 4 pay and lack of fulfillment.

I’m in transfer pricing. I like the technical challenges, being able to work with people around the world, and managing a team. The amazing PTO amount helps as well. Eventually I may go into a more traditional economics consulting practice just to get away from some of the nonsensical admin required in B4 but overall I like it.

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I think the point of this post is to get others to think about what their life purpose is and get after it (more specifically, climbing up the corporate latter (less risk) vs going after a dream (more risk))

likesmart

Some days I do, but most days I want to pull a Jerry Maguire.

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Quick follow up - I have no intention to stay in PA in the long run. If you get enough years under your belt at a B4, a whole lot of random doors open that may have nothing to do with this particular career.

Hate it. The work itself isn’t too bad and can be rewarding sometimes especially if your client is nice and appreciates you (I’m in tax). But considering the hours, work/life balance and pressure - i wish i had chosen a different career where working long hours isn’t the everyday norm. But like everyone else said it would require going back to school and likely a huge paycut. So i just do it for the paycheck, when it gets especially rough i reward myself with a nice vacation or something nice.

likefunny

I hate my job but I have a family to feed.

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It’s cool but overrated, especially if you don’t drink the Kool aid

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No lol

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I got into a specialty area within core tax during my first year and have been lucky enough to continue doing that kind of work the last 3 years and can honestly say I enjoy it and find it stimulating and am happy with my job so far at PwC. That being said, if I was actually doing the normal tax work my group does on a daily basis I would’ve left by now.

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