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So I just recently passed my CPA exams and I’m now looking for new opportunities. I’m hoping to work at a big 4 firm in tax and possibly connect with anyone working there right now. Please reach out to me, I would look forward to connecting and learning more about potential opportunities. Thanks!EY PwC Deloitte KPMG
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Rising Star
Anyone working at coinbase i need referral
Candy is 50% at jewel & target FYI 🥳
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What's the round tables timeline for NE Audit?
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Chief
First and foremost, you must always make the decision that best serves your long term health and mental well-being.
That said, the answer to your question depends on how you look at your B4 career. Life lasts a long time (hopefully) in relation to your B4 career.
Are the hours and aggravation something that you want to deal with for the entirety of your career? Absolutely not.
Is it worthwhile to consider your B4 career as an extension of your schooling? Yes, it's appropriate.
I encourage you to look up the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment for additional insight into what I am talking about.
Chief
D1 - Maaaan... the number of managers that abuse/overwork/torture their staff because the partner tells them to do so is too damn high.
I found that this is generally a myth designed to keep people in B4 long enough for the firm to get a good return on investment. The truth is I know a lot of people who left after 1 - 3 years and they are doing really well!
So many people think that there is some kind of formula for success that involves Big 4 for X years then pivoting to Industry for Y years . That’s just not how your career works. You need to worry less about what others have done and about arbitrary timelines and instead do what you feel you’re good at and what provides for you.
It’s pure laziness/delusion to think there’s a formula for success.
OP - Yes, but it’s like leaving college too soon. For most people, it really reduces their long-term career prospects.
Every year you work at the big 4 is an investment that pays dividends later. It’s up to you how much you want to invest.
Best strategy to maximize earnings if you’re fine with the instability is to jump between firms every 3-5 years
Chief
It just depends on what you want. You have to be very driven, strategic, and lucky to progress in industry at the same pace that is virtually guaranteed in public
The problem is that PA has a high turnover model. They are going find a way to churn through people. It's not a meritocracy, and thus any progression in PA is far from "virtually guaranteed."
Following i am seriously debating as I read this. Currently a manager considering the exit for the first time in my career and I am hesitant thinking maybe SM will make it worthwhile maybe a bit further
Responses here are helpful since I didn’t think staying til SM makes sense to me
I dipped out of big 4 under 1 year. I’m making 6 figs and feeling content w my new gig at 24 y/o stop playin
Valuation
OP - Keep in mind too that this advice, of which the merits we can still debate, really only applies if you want to stay in accounting. If you’re going for a career pivot next, I think the benefits of staying for any length are greatly reduced, and time after making senior might even be counterproductive.
What exactly is an internal controls position?
Rising Star
It’s not career suicide, I have interviewed with Fortune 500 VPs and SVPs that were at B4 for 1-2 years
They used the B4 name to get into their Fortune 500 and worked their way up
Do what is right for you, you can be successful either way. I have friends that I started b4 with that left and did really well (I stayed through partner) and I have many that are bouncing between jobs and struggling. I stayed because I love the autonomy and it’s hard to find a profession where you can continue to learn late into your career. If I had to put a % on it, i’m doing better than 75% of those that left, but there are a few in the 25% that are doing better that are killing it.
P1 - the friend that went to a hedge fund, what role and position did she get in the hedge fund ? Fund accountant ?
Boomer mentality
who's everyone?
Once you have big 4 on your resume, if you want to stay in PA just move to a firm that accommodates your working needs. I'm currently helping someone apply to audit in my firm which has 55 hr weeks scheduled during busy season in my niche (with very few exceptions of 60-70 weeks for some). They're currently working 80+ hours year round.
Is sacrificing the time with your family and friends worth the minimal benefit to your resume? Probably not