Hi everyone - wanted to get your thoughts. Currently working at big four and have never worked in industry. For those who have made the change - was it worth it ? just from a upskill level or was it a struggle? Do you wish you shouldn’t have left? What pros and cons would you say are being in industry. Any advise helps thanks!

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I can’t speak for all jobs but when I got offered senior at big 4, I also got an offer in industry. I took the industry role and my first assignment was given a budget of 300 hours for work big 4 expected in 40 hours. I have been on vacation making the same money ever since

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I left big 4 audit as a senior for a senior job at a F500. Been there a year now. It’s not even comparable, I do like 2 or 3 hrs a day of work during most weeks, and like 5 or 6 hrs a day for like a week during quarter close. And I’m seen as a good performer. Skill wise, yeah it’s different than big 4 work but it’s super easy to adjust to.

Pros- WLB, low stress, no dealing with offshore teammates (at least at my company), no concept of chargeable hours or utilization

Cons- slower career growth, co workers are less social and less motivated

Overall, I’m happy I made the switch. I don’t ever see myself putting in big 4 level of hours again. I just can’t go back to having no life outside of work.

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What are your end goals? I always wanted to be a partner. I had a big career break due to work permit restrictions, and when I got back to the workforce, I struggled in public accounting. Lack of extended family support, parenting little kids, and cooking meals due to dietary restrictions are the top reasons I decided to switch to industry. I revisited my goals, and I am confident that the industry is a better fit. I am happy overall, and my confidence is back on track. I know my goals are achievable and, hence, more motivated to perform my best.

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What are your end goals? I always wanted to be a partner. I had a big career break due to work permit restrictions, and when I got back to the workforce, I struggled in public accounting. Lack of extended family support, parenting little kids, and cooking meals due to dietary restrictions are the top reasons I decided to switch to industry. I revisited my goals, and I am confident that the industry is a better fit. I am happy overall, and my confidence is back on track. I know my goals are achievable and, hence, more motivated to perform my best.

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Have you had issues finding jobs paying similar to your current wages? Hard to find a senior accounting job that pays 100k+ and the ones that I can find would require regular commuting to NYC

Night and day difference. Better pay/benefits. Staggering how much better the quality of life is.

I left a big 4 several years ago and never looked back. While I really appreciated my time there (made life long friends, have a big 4 on the CV, picked up unbelieveably valuable skills etc.) the move to industry has been amazing. But it depends on what you're looking for.

I left because wanted to develop a more specialist expertise in Internal Audit and work toward building and leading my own Internal Audit function. Every step I took in my career was to get me to this goal and I recently achieved that. Not having to complete time sheet since I left was also a massive plus.

If you're looking purely to grow your salary its probably better to stay in the big 4, play the game and try and reach partnership or at least leave at a director level and move into an FD role in industry.

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