[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I need some advice. Basically, I’m a first year associate at a Big 4 firm and things haven’t really gone as well as I had hoped. I think that my work for the most part has been fine and I feel that I’m learning a lot, but culturally, I just don’t think I fit into my office and it’s kind of draining me/starting to affect my work. The location that I am in wasn’t my first choice, but a recruiter told me when I was coming out of school that the one I was interested in was somewhat saturated and that it would make more sense for me to go for the one that came directly to my campus and then transfer later.

Fast forward a bit and now when I’m trying to transfer, my firm hasn’t been responsive at all (i.e. ignoring emails, not picking up the phone after scheduling a time to talk, etc.), which is really disheartening. As such, I’m looking at potentially switching firms during the summer because this really left a bad taste in my mouth.

My question is how hard is it to transfer and does it look bad to do so after only 1 year? I know that will be something that any interviewer would ask, but my firm is pretty much leaving me with no other choice and I just don’t think I can fully live up to my potential if the office isn’t a fit for me personality-wise. In case it helps at all, I do have all the parts of my CPA passed.

If anyone has any advice for my situation, I would greatly appreciate any feedback I can get because I’m starting to get depressed (and it’s not the work/hours like it usually is for people).

[TheGuyCPA]

I wish that I was in your shoes, to even be in a big four position. My GPA is decent (3.5 accounting major GPA), completed FAR and REG so far, came from a target university and had two internships during that time, currently working at an investment management firm and have been looking to cross over to big four but so far no luck at all. I interviewed for one of the big four through the phone couple weeks ago but was turned down.

As far as your situation, be like water my friend, adapt, and hang in there at least one more year. Or, start applying?

FAR - 80
REG - 78
AUD - 88
BEC - 84

State of Illinois Licensed CPA as of September 2015

[rp 12]

It is disheartening. You best bet is to reach out to experiened recruiters in LinkedIn in your target city you want to go. And sell yourself in terms of what clients you worked on and accounts. If you know your friends from other big4's ask them to refer you. Hope this helps.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 67, 62, 77 (lost credit), TBA

FAR - 53, 48, 58, 62, XX

BEC - 53, XX

 

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[Anonymous]

Big 4 to Big 4 is probably the easiest job shift you could do.

Start a dialog with a target recruiter. You could just explain to them that your current firm doesn't have any resource requirements in your desired city.

Just be prepared to do the perp walk if you make the change. If you leave for a competitor, you are immediately shown the door. There is no two weeks.

[rbcpa]

Wow @accountingmymoney12 – I'm shocked I was in the exact same shoes as you like word for word down to the the transfer issue. I decided it was best for me to quit because it really is not worth being depressed and having it take a toll on your health. Having gone through your issue just last week I would suggest to find a job elsewhere and knock out those CPA exams. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

BEC - PASSED
AUD - PASSED
REG - PASSED
FAR - PASSED

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

To those recommending reaching out, when is a good time? I think the trouble I'm running into right now is that no firm seems to have room for someone with my experience level. There's lots of senior associate/manager type openings, but not for experienced/Y2 type people, which is roughly what I will be when I leave. Are there better months for doing this?

@rbcpa: I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Did your firm also pretty much ignore your inquiries regarding transfers? I'm just shocked that the people here are so unprofessional like that. It's one thing to say you don't have room, but to disregard it is extremely rude IMO. How hard was it to find another job? I'm actually done with my CPA stuff, but I don't want to leave without a job and potentially get screwed over that way.

[Anonymous]

EY is looking for experienced hires like crazy, not sure if that helps

[Anonymous]

The Fall is definitely a good time.

All the firm budgets are set and the engagement letters have been signed. The resource managers really know what they need at this point.

[Author]

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