[justgivemea75]

Hi all,

I’ll be starting at a Big 4 firm this fall, but I’m concerned about something. Even though I’m in a very, very large metro (think LA/NYC/Chicago/etc size), I’m concerned because the office I’m in doesn’t have a ton of F500 companies to audit. My goal is to eventually become a controller of a division of a F500 company, so I’m wondering how much the size of the companies I audit matters or if the brand name of having Big 4, having good reviews on those clients, and working on public clients within that industry enough?

So for example, let’s say I want to eventually be a controller at Amazon or Exxon Mobil. Would I need to have audit experience at those companies or similar sized competitors to make the switch down the road, or would the following combination still potentially lead to the same outcome:

1. Audit companies within the tech/O&G area to understand the industry they’re operating in.

2. Make sure you get public company experience (i.e. audit some public companies to get those skills)

3. Get excellent reviews on whatever engagements you were on

If the size does matter, does anyone know how easy it is to switch offices after a year?

Thanks in advance!

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[Anonymous]

I know, from personal experience, that my firm (Big 4) was extremely accommodating in transferring me from a mid-market to a large-market office in addition to switching service lines. I made the switch because the clients served out of the large-market were more in-line with my desired exit opportunities.

Don't be afraid to ask. There's a reason the Big 4 are consistently ranked among the best companies to start one's career.

[justgivemea75]

Thanks for the response. Anyone else care to weigh in as well?

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[fuzyfro89]

It's more about the type of work you do and public vs private than the size alone.

For example, SOX is fairly consistent regardless of size of the company (of course the framework is different, but every client is different anyway so it's more important whether you understand how SOX works and the basics of the testing rather than anything specific). In this case, you need either public or pre-IPO company experience as most non-public and non-pre-IPO companies don't bother setting up a robust controls framework just for fun.

Next is the industry. For example, if you audit hedge funds in Big 4 and then try to get a job in FR (financial reporting) for a public tech company… the industry understanding won't apply. It doesn't mean you can't make the switch, but it will be harder to sell the experience.

Size, niche industries, type of work, etc, all matter, but the largest overarching consideration is public (SOX) vs private, and second is industry. Then, of course, you have to network and interview well, but that's a different discussion.

Generally, it's easier to go private to public than the opposite.

Switching offices/practices/anything is primarily a function of need (i.e. your target office could use another person at your level), and secondary considerations are your own office's needs (they may stonewall you if your current office is severely understaffed) and your performance ratings. Of course, once you've been working for a year, it's fairly easy to get a job with another Big 4 firm in that target city (again, assuming there is a need). I don't know of many who switched, but I think these are the primary reasons it may happen.

[Author]

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