I’m currently a senior manager and am considering moving to a much smaller regional firm this summer. What’s the general consensus on moving from a top 10 firm down to a top 150? Curious on pros and cons.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Made a move from a big firm to a top 100 firm.. I was back at the big firm a year later. Says it all... resources are slim, technology is abysmal and your client base is, on average, less financially literate. Also you end up working with the same people all the time - if you don't click well with the partner you work with regularly, you are kind of screwed. Maybe you'll be luckier than I was but just wanted to share my story.

like

I think the cons significantly outweigh the pros. Worse technology, staffing issues, pay. Pros would be your exposure to more technical issues so it could be worth it in the long run. In terms of promotion to partner/comp, hard to say. You could be coming in at the bottom of a long list of people in line for partner who have been there since day 1. Partner comp at these local/regional firms is probably 300K which isn’t bad since most are in low cost of living areas, but you’d make much more at a top 10 firm comp wise over your career.

like

RSM1 at the same time, you are probably dealing with significantly less tax and M&A, even the SALT is probably less complex

Spent most of career at regional firms then moved to a top 10 firm. My clients were comparable if not more complex at the regional firms compared to the top 10, but no resources technology wise or expert wise to rely on so it’s sink or swim. The benefits were also comparatively bad. With the lack of resources I never really got to enjoy time off I was working constantly. I’ve also seen people go down from only large firm experience and fail spectacularly because of then being overly specialized not being able to be a generalist. So think carefully

like

Smaller firms are more cut throat and less forgiving than large ones when it comes to managers and above in the firm so if you don’t know 1040s as well as T&E, and how to work with families you are not setting yourself up for success. If you plan to dip id not recommend that small… but on the other side a manager left from pcs at my firm to go to a firm like you are describing and found the work way to simple and boring and boomeranged.

likesmart

You will be doing the same number of hours with less of everything else.

Related Posts

So for those who have been with Deloitte for 3yrs and above, what is the motivation? What are the rewards? No ESPP, so what really do you get to show for the work, time and all? Kindly share, am trying to make a big decision here, thanks?

like

Typical salary band for Consultant level for Risk & Advisory in HCOL? Got an offer for 90k + 10k signing so trying to see if this is high or just standard. 2 YOE, they mentioned promotion to SC in 6-8 months.

like

How long does is usually take to get staffed on the first project? Joined 11/15 and still no project... Fyi, I am in the commercial side. Should I be worried? Ive contacted my RM couple times and am reaching out to my network 😢

like

How has the experiences for SCs been?
Its been 3 months at Deloitte and trying to find enough reasons to stay back.

likeuplifting

Is it true that UAE public entities are the best among ME public sector clients? If yes, why?

like

2.1 KDR and I’m a homosexual, try to keep up boys

funny

Hi Fishes, howz the leave policy at mphasis?? Thanks

I just started a new job 2 months ago, benefits and PTO don’t start until 90 days in so I still have a month before I can take off any time, and today found out my company doesn’t offer paid maternity leave.
I’m really struggling handling the symptoms and maintaining my full time job. Thinking about looking for a part time job to have more time to myself through the pregnancy since I won’t be getting a paid leave anyways, but lost on where to start looking. Any recommendations?

Anybody know what's up with QS?
Good to buy the dip? They down 40%

like

Hello fishes, just wanted to request your help to unlock the DM features

Thanks and have a great day ☺️

like

I got selected in the third round of H1B lottery for FY2022 (third round came out in November) Does anyone know when my H1B gets activated? Will it be automatically updated because it is well past Oct 1 or will it be Oct 1 2022??

like

How much does a Fresher business analyst gets paid in Mumbai?

like

Looking for motivation to get me to my first Alcohol rehab appointment.

Moving to Sydney for my MBA/EMBA. Looking for opportunities in that area.

Does anyone partner with any 401(k) robo-advisors like Guideline, Vestwell, Human Interest, Ubiquity, etc.? How are they compared to more established 401(k) providers? Pros/cons to any or all?

like

Is anyone interested in taking over the lease for a top floor 3 bed 2 bath, 1500 SQ ft apartment in a newly built complex in Plaza Midwood? The lease runs through Sept 2023. It's one of the nicest complexes in the city, has close proximity to Uptown, and has excellent amenities (e.g. CrossFit style gym, two pools, dog park, on site complimentary cafe, etc.). My unit has an ideal layout for work from home and a huge patio.

Edit: $3,196/mo including valet trash pickup ($35) and pest control ($4)

like

I saw some sales managers discussing hiring strategies, especially for entry level roles (e.g. SDR, BDR).

One strategy that came up was having the applicant do 90 minutes of cold calling into real prospects with the hiring manager coaching.

What do you think of this approach? Would be curious to hear from both hiring manager perspectives and from candidate perspectives.

like

So I’m engaged in an interview process for a top FinTech company. It started the 1st week of August and just now I’ve gotten word from my recruiter that they didn’t update on any decisions made. I had my 3rd & final interview last Friday. My recruiter doesn’t communicate well nor does she let me communicate with the company direct. May I being led on? Am I still in the race for this role in your opinion with the details stated. Please message me if you would like to know more in detail.

After a fire, how long does it usually take for a building to be rebuilt or torn down completely ?

like

Hey everyone
Wat does this "LWF contr" stands for in
American Express payslip is there any advantage of it as the same is deducted for me but haven't opted for it.

like

Additional Posts in Tax Bowl

Looking for a job out of public but not finding much...do a lot of industry jobs typically get posted after 9/15 / 10/15?

like

Why do leaders keep comparing how “good”the new staff/seniors have it because they make more money starting out then they did and working 55 hours is better than the 70-80 hours they used to work? Instead they should compare what options they have available to them and what their goals are.

like

Can anyone tell me if Marcum drug tests experienced hires?

like

For a 2-year associate now tasked with senior-like roles such as reviewing and training, does anyone have advice on how to review individual hnw tax returns?

like
like

Is it worth it to make managing director at a Big Four firm?

like

LA vs Boston. Which city pays higher? Big4 tax

like

I’m having trouble working in Tax. I’m overwhelmed and am feeling like I’m not producing my best work. I want to talk to someone at work about it but a) I don’t know who to go to and b) feel like it’s not worth it because there’s nothing that anyone can do but tell me to get a different job. I feel like I SHOULD say something to someone though, right? Idk. I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now and am not really having any luck, which is just adding to my despair. What should I do?

like

Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

likeuplifting

How long does it take for PwC to send out rejection email? I interviewed with the team like a month ago, the recruiter called me the next day and told me that congrats, everyone likes me and told that they were working on my official offer. 3 weeks later, nothing. I followed up 3 times already and got the answer that I should expect to hear by the end of the week. My last follow up email, no response lol. Should I just move on now?

like

How bad is it to leave an understaffed team right before fall busy for a job in a new city? Part of me doesn’t care at all b/c it’s a business decision, part feels like I’m totally screwing the team.

likehelpful

Have people been going through year-end and seeing sizable raises due to inflation? Or are raises being kept in check due to slumping economy?

like

Anyone on here familiar with California’s treatment of a conservation easement deduction for individual taxpayers? I’ve found a bunch of research indicating it’s limited to 30% of AGI, but the people who orchestrated this whole deal think it’s 50% of AGI.

like

I have more than 12 years of tax attorney experience at biglaw and big4. Are there any big4 positions that pay more than 200k? National Tax? Anything else?

like

Do you feel like turnover has now diminished after this busy season or will it kick up again as we approach the next one?

At this point, I'm wondering if most firms have hired enough people or they are still on the lookout due to shortage.

like

How much should a senior manager specializing in State and Local Tax working at a top 10 PA firm with 15 years of experience be making? Any thoughts?

like

Question: I have a client who started a restaurant. He leased the land and bought shipping containers where he spent money contracting out to turn them into bars. I’m having a tough time determining how to depreciate this! First thought was leasehold but he’s not making improvements to a structure...he owns the structure! But nonresidential real estate at 27.5 years doesn’t make sense either as it’s not a brick and mortar building. Curious on others thoughts! TIA

like

What kind of pay would you expect leaving PA after a little over a year for industry. Currently making 60.5k A2 in GTX. Thinking to ask for 65 but don’t know if that is reasonable.

Does anyone have any good self created templates they’re willing to share for use in the context of stock option planning?

like

Anyone here done both international tax and M&A tax? Which did you find more interesting/enjoyable with better opportunities? JD/LLM.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal