OT: Anyone here have any big 4 experience?
- Thread starter Vv83
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I don't but, at times, I wish I had it on my resume. I am a CPA but only have corporate accounting experience. If you can suck it up for a year or two, I think it'll be beneficial. From what I've seen/heard, some like it, but most don't.
Yeah. They over work you and underpay you, because they know people work just for the resume boost.
frequent reader of the pack, yep just joining.
ex-KPMG. Wouldn't trade my experience. Assuming you're early in your career, looking to accelerate it and have no kids, then go for it. You'll be on the road some and squeeze two days into one at times, sure, but there are perks. You don't have to join a big 4 to get good experience, but they generally get the larger/public work so that could impact the range of what you'll get to see and most like seeing it on the resume as mentioned above, when you get ready to move on after a few years.
ex-KPMG. Wouldn't trade my experience. Assuming you're early in your career, looking to accelerate it and have no kids, then go for it. You'll be on the road some and squeeze two days into one at times, sure, but there are perks. You don't have to join a big 4 to get good experience, but they generally get the larger/public work so that could impact the range of what you'll get to see and most like seeing it on the resume as mentioned above, when you get ready to move on after a few years.
Think of it this way, as a freshman you were asked to decide whether to join a frat or just be a GDI. If you join the frat then it will be with you throughout your life and can be beneficial in later years of your career. Of course, you can still be successful without joining a frat. Big 4 alum tend to be close knit so not having that experience on your resume can shut you out of some opportunities. But it's a structured way of life and if your not into being a low paid mule for a couple of years it may not be your thing.
Hm.. This really put it into perspective for me. So I'm just gonna be pledging again
It was the big 8 in my day and in my opinion it is an excellent place to
Start your career. You will learn a lot and be exposed to some great and talented people. I could not afford grad school so I chose a big 8 and made it my grad school. It was one of the best decisions I made and set me up for the future.
Start your career. You will learn a lot and be exposed to some great and talented people. I could not afford grad school so I chose a big 8 and made it my grad school. It was one of the best decisions I made and set me up for the future.
It will be completely miserable while you are there, but pays off in the end.
I worked at a big 4 firm for 4.5 years. The last two years or so were miserable, but you will be working with people mostly within 5-7 years of you in age which makes things easier. You will just need to find a group to go to the bar with after work on Friday to all sit around and complain about it.
However cliche' it may sound, it is a definite resume' booster. They don't even try to hide the fact that is about all it has become. The slogan at KPMG when I was there was "A great place to build a career". It sucked, but like others have said... If young, no kids, etc. you should do it just for the experience, hold out leaving as long as you can, and then make the jump to corporate or a smaller public firm. I have no doubt that experience has provided me opportunities to advance in the corporate world.
I worked at a big 4 firm for 4.5 years. The last two years or so were miserable, but you will be working with people mostly within 5-7 years of you in age which makes things easier. You will just need to find a group to go to the bar with after work on Friday to all sit around and complain about it.
However cliche' it may sound, it is a definite resume' booster. They don't even try to hide the fact that is about all it has become. The slogan at KPMG when I was there was "A great place to build a career". It sucked, but like others have said... If young, no kids, etc. you should do it just for the experience, hold out leaving as long as you can, and then make the jump to corporate or a smaller public firm. I have no doubt that experience has provided me opportunities to advance in the corporate world.
Long time lurker, here. I have been an IT Auditor, basically, since graduating from State 15 years ago. I have worked in internal and external audit, but not for big 4. It's been said here, but I will agree. For big 4, you will work at least 55 hours/week and travel a ton. Depending on the office, you might travel to some cool cities. If you're single and like to travel, go for it, and bank some money. After 5 years, see where you are and re-evaluate. It should be fairly clear by then if you are moving up in the firm and/or if you're ready for a more stable lifestyle. DM me and we can chat.
I was thinking the Big 4 Crappie lakes in Mississippi. Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada.
My wife started w ARthur Anderson. And was there @ 3 years or so. Opened a ton of doors for her. Plus coming out of college- the salary was higher than she would have gotten elsewhere.
She would not trade the experience.
She would not trade the experience.
I have yet to ever wish I had paid money to be part of a invitation only social group in college. It has never come up in business or life in general if I belonged to a frat. Nobody has ever asked me and I have never asked anyone else. Ive also never heard someone near me ask others.
I must live in some bubble where nobody cares if others belonged to certain social groups in college because I will go months without even thinking about the greek system. Typically I will only think about it if I happen to drive past greek row at the local college or see it mentioned on a random linkedin profile im stalking for work.
Greek life on campus is its own sub-culture and a lot of jobs are obtained because of connections made while in a frat or sorority. Similar to how I'm more likely to hire (or maybe not hire) someone that was in my major in school. I'll know them and their character, work ethic, ability, etc. so if I like all those things about them they may have a leg up.
yup... what other job will fly you to Dallas, Orlando, NYC and turn you loose with 700-1000 other young singles for a week of "training" ?! Some of that may have tightened up I'm guessing.
unfortunately you'll probably get used to the long hours for a while. then you may begin to think about doing something else, but stick it out at least 2-3 years and you should have some good opportunities. professionally, you'll get good OJT and be exposed to a lot of smart people. I'm speaking from the financial side, but it's probably similar for IT. holler if you want more 411
unfortunately you'll probably get used to the long hours for a while. then you may begin to think about doing something else, but stick it out at least 2-3 years and you should have some good opportunities. professionally, you'll get good OJT and be exposed to a lot of smart people. I'm speaking from the financial side, but it's probably similar for IT. holler if you want more 411