Big four

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  • #199564
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello, I got an offer at both Assurance and Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services in EY. Which one Is better?

    Thanks

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • #755003
    Son
    Participant

    Cpamaster007, you have to be more specific that that. Are you looking for a group with better exit opportunities into industry in 3-5 years? The one that promotes more partners? Or the one that will pay more over time? It will also depend on you and what type of work you enjoy doing.

    But, all other things being equal pick the group where you connect better with people on a personal level.

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    #755004
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    Do you want to do fraud investigation your whole career? If not, choose assurance. With that being said, fraud investigation will probably be a very secure area to grow an expertise in. Assurance will give you more broadly applicable skills for future employment.

    And congrats!!!

    Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

    All 4 passed - 2016

    CA CPA

    #755005
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello, thank you guys for your reply. I am looking for something that will help promote me to partner easier. At the same time want to have the opportunity to exit in 5 years if I could not handle all the work. This is going to be my first real employment so I do not know how working in both would be.

    #755006
    acamp
    Participant

    Very first job with thoughts of staying 5 years or even to partner–some ambitious goals.

    I would focus on the exit plan first and partner considerations second (based on most likely probabilities)

    Exit Opportunities: What do the exit opportunities look like for someone with 2-3 years of experience (my guess at average turnover) in fraud investigation or assurance services? I would assume post-assurance prospects would be greater than fraud investigation, but who knows.

    Partner Track: Does fraud investigation have partners or do they top out at director? Further, where do the partners/directors come from–do they have audit backgrounds and make their way over or is there a direct line from entry level to partner/direct in fraud investigation?

    Overall, I would lean towards assurance from the onset and you could likely do a rotation in fraud investigation down the road.

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    #755007
    Son
    Participant

    Cpamaster007, based on your comment: based on my experience assurance is the “safer” of two options. If you manage to stay broad and don't pigeonhole yourself in just one narrow service offering (not to confuse with developing expertise in a certain area) you would be able to switch jobs relatively easy down the road. Fraud investigation, on the other hand, is a very fast developing in my Big4 company, and the future of this practice is somewhat less certain. There's a great chance it may offer more opportunities down the road, including becoming a partner, but those opportunities are not guaranteed.

    I like acamp's idea to do a rotation a lot – if that's an option, I would totally look into it.

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    #755008
    PublicGuy
    Participant

    If you aren't rock solid that you want to go into fraud detection for your career, go assurance. Goals to make it to manager or partner are moot as someone who hasn't worked a day in the firm yet, but assurance offers more flexibility later on than fraud would, though niches can definitely work if you play it right.

    #755009
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    “If you aren't rock solid that you want to go into fraud detection for your career, go assurance. Goals to make it to manager or partner are moot as someone who hasn't worked a day in the firm yet, but assurance offers more flexibility later on than fraud would, though niches can definitely work if you play it right.”

    I agree with this direction. Unless you think fraud/dispute litigation is the area you want (or if you interned and have actually been in the environment for a few months), audit is the “safer” way to go because it's easier to move into different things… maybe even fraud/litigation if you decide later that is actually what you want.

    It's honestly just too soon to even have partnership on your radar. It's just noise in your decision process. Looking out 5 years is difficult enough, so start with that.

    FYI, most partners who I had a personal relationship with all told me the same thing… they did not think they would stay until partnership, but found that each time they looked outside the firm, nothing came up that was more intriguing than what they already had. Fast forward 10 years and they are senior managers and started getting specific feedback to make a run for partner, and then they got voted in within a few more years.

    #755010
    taxsage
    Member

    The one your more excited about!

    #755011
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you all for your comments. Fraud if offering me traveling opportunities which is exciting but I think I might go with audit since many company's are looking to employee auditors so it would be the best option if I decided to leave early within 2-3. If I will stay for more than I could transfer or stay in audit.

    Thank you all, I would not have made a choice without your help!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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