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re: Big 4 Accounting Firms - Anybody with experience?
Posted on 5/31/18 at 1:03 pm to Spicy Boy
Posted on 5/31/18 at 1:03 pm to Spicy Boy
Advice taken. Thank you. That’s my next step. I saw in researching that all of the big 4 have hired tens of thousands, most upwards of 50k in the last year. That doesn’t jive with organic revenue growth so my assumption is a good bit of that is due to turnover. Maybe that turnover is somewhat good as many probably left for better positions at another big 4 firm or an even better position outside of the big 4. I’m sure a lot also was burnout and not being the right fit for the worker. I agree an exit plan is necessary as, at minimum, a precaution.
2
Posted on 5/31/18 at 6:56 pm to DabosDynasty
I think the plan for most entry level people at the Big 4 is stay two years and get out.
The travel and hours usually drive them to smaller firms
The travel and hours usually drive them to smaller firms
Posted on 6/1/18 at 2:17 am to OceanMan
quote:
I will say that some travel, like a week every 2 months, would be nice and add variety. But their is hard to find that balance in the B4.
I didn’t travel for 3 months then four consecutive weeks went across the country 3 times and overseas once. Big 4 keeps you on your toes.
Posted on 6/1/18 at 7:23 am to reb13
Just got the confirmation for Wednesday. *Fingers crossed*
Thanks again everyone for the advice.
Thanks again everyone for the advice.
Posted on 6/1/18 at 8:41 am to DabosDynasty
Good luck.
Interviewed with a Big 4 years ago, and knew immediately it wasn't the right fit for me.
Interviewed with a Big 4 years ago, and knew immediately it wasn't the right fit for me.
Posted on 6/1/18 at 12:27 pm to Weagle25
quote:
I think the plan for most entry level people at the Big 4 is stay two years and get out.
The travel and hours usually drive them to smaller firms
Definitely for audit. But most big 4 end up in corporate gigs after their couple of years.
The big 4 are better about travel than they used to be, namely b.c clients are stingier.
Posted on 6/2/18 at 11:01 pm to brian_wilson
I left KPMG recently for EY moving between consulting practices. You won’t be disappointed with consulting at a big 4, especially with an industry specialization. My only concern for you would be the travel with a young family and whether your wife is on board for that. Good luck, if you take it there will be many doors that open for you.
Posted on 6/3/18 at 2:22 pm to DabosDynasty
I currently work for one. shite is rough man
Posted on 6/4/18 at 8:42 am to Larry Gooseman
Thanks. Yeah the travel is really my only concern at this point, some is great, high proportion of travel would sadly have to be a deal breaker. We’ll see, I hope to find out more Wednesday. Personally, I can’t be the Dad and husband who’s never home and misses so much of the growth and advancement of the kids, so I’m really hoping for a reasonable travel outlook for a family man. More travel could be a possibility later down the line for me, but not at this point. Currently, some trips here and there several times a year would work, but I couldn’t be gone half or more of the month every month.
Posted on 6/4/18 at 8:43 am to Hazelnut
quote:
I currently work for one. shite is rough man
Are you in consulting or another division?
Posted on 6/4/18 at 11:37 pm to DabosDynasty
Advisory Senior Manager at EY here. I travel nearly 100% of the year and I have a two year old and wife at home. Be prepared to have the conversation with your wife about a significant change in lifestyle if you were used to being home for dinner most nights. Even if you don’t travel, longer hours are the norm.
Also, you have 5 years of experience and you’re interviewing for an associate level role? Obviously, I don’t know your work experience, but with 5 years experience you probably should be trying for a senior associate level.
Most other associates will be 1-2 years out of undergrad.
Also, you have 5 years of experience and you’re interviewing for an associate level role? Obviously, I don’t know your work experience, but with 5 years experience you probably should be trying for a senior associate level.
Most other associates will be 1-2 years out of undergrad.
Posted on 6/4/18 at 11:43 pm to Hazelnut
Just had this conversation with my buddy who is audit at EY. His 2 years is in August and he's ready for a change. It seems that 2 year mark does it for a lot of first jobs, but especially accounting/finance.
Posted on 6/4/18 at 11:45 pm to DabosDynasty
quote:
Advice taken. Thank you. That’s my next step. I saw in researching that all of the big 4 have hired tens of thousands, most upwards of 50k in the last year. That doesn’t jive with organic revenue growth so my assumption is a good bit of that is due to turnover. Maybe that turnover is somewhat good as many probably left for better positions at another big 4 firm or an even better position outside of the big 4. I’m sure a lot also was burnout and not being the right fit for the worker. I agree an exit plan is necessary as, at minimum, a precaution.
I wouldn’t get too concerned over the turnover and hiring at the big 4. It is literally part of the model. Every big 4 hires in droves at the entry level from schools. After that every position is “up or out”; however, most don’t come to that as most leave voluntarily for other opportunities. Also most don’t join the big 4 with a career mindset, but as a stepping stone.
Posted on 6/5/18 at 12:56 am to MStant1
Still cranking it out at EY? I think I recall you being in the financial services advisory practice a couple years ago.
I got out almost 4 years ago and can’t say I miss it. I landed in a terrific exit role that took a lot of luck to work out.
I got out almost 4 years ago and can’t say I miss it. I landed in a terrific exit role that took a lot of luck to work out.
Posted on 6/5/18 at 7:47 am to MStant1
That’s mostly my outlook. I consider the opportunity two-fold: either an opportunity for a long career at PwC or a career stepping stone to bigger and better opportunities that I currently have. I’m going into the process open-minded to either option depending on how I fit with PwC, assuming I even get the position.
Posted on 6/5/18 at 7:53 am to MStant1
quote:
Also, you have 5 years of experience and you’re interviewing for an associate level role? Obviously, I don’t know your work experience, but with 5 years experience you probably should be trying for a senior associate level.
Yeah when I applied I thought I seemed VERY qualified for what they wanted, but I chose the associate role over an analyst role. There weren’t any senior associate positions in Columbia posted at the time, could that be worked out in the interview/negotiation? I wanted to get out of being an analyst so I can broaden opportunities and have an easier path to advancement, so I chose the consulting position.
After doing more research I’ve learned the location in Columbia is a Service Delivery Center, not a firm. From what I’ve read this generally means less travel? Do you have any insight on pros and cons of SDC vs firm model?
Posted on 6/5/18 at 9:37 am to DabosDynasty
quote:
could that be worked out in the interview/negotiation?
Yes, definitely bring up your experience and try and get a greater role
Posted on 6/5/18 at 9:39 am to DabosDynasty
Ahhh SDC is going to be a different model than typical advisory. SDC is generally more of an outsource type model, than really typical advisory or consulting. If PWC’s SDC is like EY’s, then your hours will be closer to 40, and you are unlikely to travel (if ever).
Work life balance will be high, but you won’t have the same pay or opportunities as standard advisory. You also will likely rarely ever see the client unless they do a site visit to the PWC office. The levels are also different typically so my comment on associate may not apply.
The Big 4 have been developing service delivery centers to effectively allow institutions to outsource part of their operations or other activities that require a lot of specifically skilled resources (which differs than typical outsourcing that focus more on low skill high volume). Client gets a savings from less overhead, but higher quality than outsourcing to a firm in India.
Work life balance will be high, but you won’t have the same pay or opportunities as standard advisory. You also will likely rarely ever see the client unless they do a site visit to the PWC office. The levels are also different typically so my comment on associate may not apply.
The Big 4 have been developing service delivery centers to effectively allow institutions to outsource part of their operations or other activities that require a lot of specifically skilled resources (which differs than typical outsourcing that focus more on low skill high volume). Client gets a savings from less overhead, but higher quality than outsourcing to a firm in India.
Posted on 6/5/18 at 9:41 am to lynxcat
quote:
Still cranking it out at EY? I think I recall you being in the financial services advisory practice a couple years ago. I got out almost 4 years ago and can’t say I miss it. I landed in a terrific exit role that took a lot of luck to work out.
Yup still here and in FS advisory on the regulatory side. Been here about 10 years now.
Posted on 6/5/18 at 9:42 am to Spicy Boy
quote:
Unfortunately, most people who work B4 are not looking to stick around for the long haul, so my suggestion would be to evaluate this potential move by evaluating your potential move thereafter.
This is true. Most move to a regional/divisional controller role at a corporation. With that said, because of the high turnover, if you can stick it out, partner track is VERY short compared to other industries.
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