Big4 seems overrated, so why no just go straight to Regional?

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  • #187645
    mikiluv
    Member

    Please correct me if my logic is incorrect. Any feedback is definitely welcome!

    Based on the replies I received from a previous post, it seems that a regional firm is more “tough” than a Big 4. You get more responsibility and lead projects at a Regional vs. “ticking and flicking” at a Big 4. There must be a huge difference between a regional 1st year and a big 4 1st year right?

    So if that’s the case, whats the deal with Big 4? The learning curve seems higher at Regional so if you want to be challenged why not just go a Regional? Big 4 seems so overrated when you strip all of its bells and whistles.

    I’m just confused as to why Big 4 holds these high standards when you are essentially doing these no brainer tasks like ticking and checking prior year workpapers. Am i missing something?

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  • #585910
    Pumpkins
    Member

    The Big 4 firms are very well known and have a reputation for ingraining controls and procedures into the brains of their employees.

    As someone who went straight into industry Internal Audit right out of school.. I work with our Big 4 external auditors regularly, and their work seems so much more tedious and less interesting. However, my bosses seem to think that the people who come from the big 4 have this amazing training and experience that I don't have.

    So.. I think working for the Big 4 is really just something to stand out on your resume.. because the work I see them doing seems miserable.

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    #585911
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    name recognition. you might think of the big 4 as mindless work. most people do not. most people see employees held to high standards who're working for the best companies in the industry, employees who've went through hell to prove their dedication, have been trained by experts and worked to the bone.

    compared to Regional Accounting Firm Nobody's Heard Of, where, sure, maybe you worked harder, maybe you were trained well, maybe you put in long hours, did more things, but the name recognition isn't there. it doesn't matter how hard you think you worked or how great you think your firm is, because you're not hiring yourself, someone else is. their perception is what matters. you can put on your resume all the specific duties you had and they might sound more impressive than a big 4 guy, but name recognition is a much surer thing than that.

    I'm not saying work for big 4 or don't bother. I won't work for the big 4. I don't think it's worth it. but that's some of the logic behind it. most people aren't going to be public accountants forever. many people aren't going to be public accountants for more than a few years. if you want to build exit opportunities, name recognition is more important than gaining specific public accounting audit experience.

    #585912
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In reading various job postings for any decent accounting positions in private, every single one I have seen has stated Big 4 experience preferred, which in my mind reads as a requirement !

    #585913
    h0wdyus
    Member

    So when you apply for Big 4, Internship/ Job is there an option to choose if you want to work in in Industry/ financial/ Tech related audits, or it is just where they decide to put you in.

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    #585914
    thechapman
    Member

    @h0wdyus

    You get to list your preferences, but I believe it's mainly based on need. Your local offices will have some engagements they really need extra people on, and others maybe not so much. However, if they're also able to take your preferences into consideration then (I believe) they try to do that.

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    #585915
    Myredstapler
    Participant

    I used to think that the Big 4 was no different than being at a regional firm. I went from a regional firm to a big 4 and now have a totally different opinion. The training, work, and resources are incomparable to any regional firm I have worked at. It's not just the name but also the training and experience you take away from it.

    #585916
    Myredstapler
    Participant

    I used to think that the Big 4 was no different than being at a regional firm. I went from a regional firm to a big 4 and now have a totally different opinion. The training, work, and resources are incomparable to any regional firm I have worked at. It's not just the name but also the training and experience you take away from it.

    #585917
    MrMustPass
    Member

    @dragnets totally agree, exit opportunity

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    #585918
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    The pros/cons are endless for all different types of jobs.

    The primary benefit of Big 4 is:

    1) Brand/name recognition on your resume. Some regional firms have a very good reputation in certain cities/industries (e.g. Rothstein Kass, I think?), so obviously there is more than 1 path depending on where you want to end up. ALL ELSE EQUAL, Big 4 > smaller firms, but of course, in some particular case, there could be another path that might serve you better… depending on your career goals.

    2) Network. You will see your start class, engagement teams, random people you meet at firm events/training all over the corporate world 5 years out. That network can be a huge strength in finding work after public accounting. Do NOT underestimate the value of a network. Again, you can network at a reginoal firm (even outside of work), but Big 4 usually makes this very easy.

    You're right. There is a lot of ticking/tying, but that will be anywhere in your first year. Why? Because you don't know anything.

    If you believe you have a fit/preference for another firm? GO FOR IT! I had plenty of friends who went Big 4/national/regional/small, and each had their pros/cons for their own goals. Many even went Big 4 to national, Big 4 to small, small to Big 4, you name it.

    It's your career so don't let anyone else tell you what to do. Just understand from others' experience, and make your best judgment.

    #585919
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    “Based on the replies I received from a previous post, it seems that a regional firm is more “tough” than a Big 4.”

    hmm, this is not widely accepted at all – I don't know what you've been hearing.

    “You get more responsibility and lead projects at a Regional vs. “ticking and flicking” at a Big 4.”

    This is a big oversimplification. Yes big 4 clients tend to be bigger and more complicated, so it takes more time to see everything, but by the end of year 2/3, I'd bet the big 4 will have learned more than the regional guy and have the name on his resume to boot.

    “There must be a huge difference between a regional 1st year and a big 4 1st year right?”

    Yes, regional 1st year is probably exposed to more things (but that washes out within year 2 & 3 – big 4 seniors run their audits too). I'd say big 4 1st years also work more hours, are better trained and have better resources.

    “So if that's the case, whats the deal with Big 4? The learning curve seems higher at Regional so if you want to be challenged why not just go a Regional? Big 4 seems so overrated when you strip all of its bells and whistles.”

    You're just repeating the same thing over and over without any backup. You are right, that at some regional firms you'll be thrown in the fire and be asked to do audits on your own in the first year. BUt who really wants that? It's better to get your hand held at first so that your work's quality is better. Big 4 has the better and bigger and more complicated clients. PCAOB audits are a lot more strict. Controls take a bigger priority. And trust me, the learning curve is steep enough.

    “I'm just confused as to why Big 4 holds these high standards when you are essentially doing these no brainer tasks like ticking and checking prior year workpapers. Am i missing something?””

    You have to tick and tie in every audit. And as a 1st year, you'll probably be doing it regardless of where you go. But it makes up a tiny portion of the audit – I think you are deflating the experience you/d get at big 4 and inflating the experience you'd get at a regional big time here.

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