[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone,

Right now I have to make a decision about which direction I should go to: a small CPA firm that I am just started working now full time with 45k VS. PWC Winter seasonal job.

Here is little background about my self, I passed my CPA exam on 2011, then I went for my MS in order to fulfill 150crs. Right now I just finished all my finals for graduate school this year and I can apply for the cpa certificate right now. In addition, I got married this year and having baby in about few weeks, my wife will not be working for a while at least 2-3 months

Here are my concerns and hopefully can get some advice:

-I would definitely like to work for PWC because of the name. However it’s only seasonal job, it ends on 4/18/2014, is there a good chance I’ll get full time offer after the seasonal job? If not I’ll have to continue to look for job after 4/18.

-About my current position: the office is a bit old, but people seems to be nice, average age about 40 years old. I feel I can learn a lot of staff from this small firm. It’s more stable.

Which direction I should go? Appreciate any advice.

[Iron_Victory]

Small firm.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Iron_Victory]

Small firm.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Anonymous]

With 45k to start I feel the paid is on the low side, beside the hours are long from 8:30-6pm, during tax season the hrs will be 8-7pm plus Saturday.There is no OT. In pwc, I can get OT. Also I can put pwc in my resume after the seasonal job. I am totally confuse now.

[Anonymous]

With 45k to start I feel the paid is on the low side, beside the hours are long from 8:30-6pm, during tax season the hrs will be 8-7pm plus Saturday.There is no OT. In pwc, I can get OT. Also I can put pwc in my resume after the seasonal job. I am totally confuse now.

[Study Monk]

Small Firm is a better place to end up in the long run anyway. Big 4 are overrated.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

Small Firm is a better place to end up in the long run anyway. Big 4 are overrated.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jfreelov]

Personally, I couldn't imagine working for a Big 4 while starting a family. The traditional path is to work for big 4 when you're young and single. They work you like a dog but you come out with very valuable experience which you parlay to somewhere with a better work-life balance.

FAR - 71, 94
BEC - 91
REG - 51, 88
AUD - 89

[jfreelov]

Personally, I couldn't imagine working for a Big 4 while starting a family. The traditional path is to work for big 4 when you're young and single. They work you like a dog but you come out with very valuable experience which you parlay to somewhere with a better work-life balance.

FAR - 71, 94
BEC - 91
REG - 51, 88
AUD - 89

[san4596]

$45K and no overtime? That sounds a little low. What are the benefits? I've seen some around my area with that pay and 6 weeks vacation.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

$45K and no overtime? That sounds a little low. What are the benefits? I've seen some around my area with that pay and 6 weeks vacation.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Anonymous]

The paid isn't great, I was working for other small tax firm a about 3 years now while i was taking the cpa exam and graduate school, The benefit are only 10 vocation days and health insurance right now.

[Anonymous]

The paid isn't great, I was working for other small tax firm a about 3 years now while i was taking the cpa exam and graduate school, The benefit are only 10 vocation days and health insurance right now.

[LongTimeComing]

I think jfreelov hit the nail on the head regarding fit. Starting at one of the Big 4 is typically for single recent graduates. You will be a little out of place if you are over 30 years old.

I have to strongly disagree with the belief that Big 4 is overrated (full disclosure: I am former EY). The accounting people I have met since leaving Big 4 very clearly fell into 2 camps: those who have Big 4 training, and those who did not. Those who had Big 4 experience were much more comfortable with technical accounting matters and polished from a professionalism perspective – both of which are functions of the routine Big 4 training regimen and on-the-job learning.

In your case, the PwC offer is only temporary, meaning you will NOT have the formal training or much of the on-the-job training benefits. The biggest benefit (aside from the OT money) is to get the PwC brand name on your resume. Honestly, I have found that being able to say I was “former Big 4” opened many doors and commanded a stronger salary than friends I know who went the small/local firms route.

Depends on your risk appetite and ambition. Taking the PwC offer is a risky move. But if you are very ambitious, the PwC brand name on your resume can go a long way – especially if you can parlay your busy season work into a full-time offer. If you want stable and secure (which, with a family may be more your persuasion), small firm is the way to go.

[LongTimeComing]

I think jfreelov hit the nail on the head regarding fit. Starting at one of the Big 4 is typically for single recent graduates. You will be a little out of place if you are over 30 years old.

I have to strongly disagree with the belief that Big 4 is overrated (full disclosure: I am former EY). The accounting people I have met since leaving Big 4 very clearly fell into 2 camps: those who have Big 4 training, and those who did not. Those who had Big 4 experience were much more comfortable with technical accounting matters and polished from a professionalism perspective – both of which are functions of the routine Big 4 training regimen and on-the-job learning.

In your case, the PwC offer is only temporary, meaning you will NOT have the formal training or much of the on-the-job training benefits. The biggest benefit (aside from the OT money) is to get the PwC brand name on your resume. Honestly, I have found that being able to say I was “former Big 4” opened many doors and commanded a stronger salary than friends I know who went the small/local firms route.

Depends on your risk appetite and ambition. Taking the PwC offer is a risky move. But if you are very ambitious, the PwC brand name on your resume can go a long way – especially if you can parlay your busy season work into a full-time offer. If you want stable and secure (which, with a family may be more your persuasion), small firm is the way to go.

[ymmit]

I say PWC , if you want big 4 on your resume it's probably now or never. You could probably get a better offer from the same/similar small firm after the position ends.

Licensed CPA!

[Author]

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