[wonderingstudent]

Hello Everyone!

I am a seasoned looker here at another71, but this will be my first post.

So, here is my dilemma…

I am from California, I currently have a full-time audit offer for a mid-size (top 10) firm in Sac, and I really like the people. However, I have until early November to make a decision. And here comes my dilemma, should I really push the Big 4 route, or be comfortable in accepting an offer from a place I like.

I have a final phone interview tomorrow for KPMG in a location outside of California, and I have two final round interviews next week for PwC and Deloitte in SJ.

So, should I stress myself out and try and get offers from these places, or accept an offer from a place I like?

[MultiMediaWill]

My advice would be to go into the Big 4 interviews relaxed because you know in the back of your head that you have nothing to lose since you already have an offer at a mid-sized firm. If you get a Big 4 offer, I'd take it. If you don't, no sweat.

[Anonymous]

i'm in the same exact position you are in right now, except i have to make my decision by tomorrow. i have offers from ey and bdo right now, and i can't decide for the life of me. pay is better at bdo, but ey is more prestigious.

[MultiMediaWill]

@cmm42992 EY, is that even a question? People generally do not go into Big 4 for the compensation. Rather, the exit opportunities and future career development opportunities.

[wonderingstudent]

cmm: I know how you feel. I think I will like Crowe better, but the Big 4 might have better exit opportunities. It is a tough decision.

Do you guys think a mid-size firm like Crowe will still offer good exit opportunities????

[Tripp11]

Very few people go into B4 and make a career of it. Instead, almost everyone goes into B4 to use as a stepping stone to corporate, and I honestly can't blame them. Who the hell wants to work THAT hard for the rest of their life? Uh, no one.

I had a very similar situation, albeit 20 years ago, and I chose a Top 10 firm but only stayed there for 3 years. The 80% travel really was a burden on just about everything going on in my life, except for work. I transitioned to a local CPA firm and have been here ever since, and if I had it to do all over again, I would have started off at a smaller firm from the get go.

Living out of a suitcase and working 12-14 hour days non-stop for what seemed to be months on end just wasn't as awesome as I thought it was going to be.

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[cool_kid]

Crowe is definitely not a mid-size firm. Id say they more of a national firm. Personally I don't think its that hard of a decision if I had to choose between a national and a big 4. I'd agree with tripp11 in that it's more of a career move and exit opportunities down the road rather than pay. Going with the big 4 would look better on your resume. Also my understanding is that its common for national firms to offer higher salaries than big 4 since they know they're competing with similar candidates.

[MultiMediaWill]

What's the difference between mid-sized and national firms?

[Anonymous]

i've officially accepted my offer at EY to start in January!

[MultiMediaWill]

Congratulations, cmm42992!

[Anonymous]

thank you! good luck to you wonderingstudent

[wonderingstudent]

Had the phone interview with KPMG, and the partner extended the offer at the end of the call! I will most likely accept this offer, because it is at an awesome location!

And congrats cmm!

[MultiMediaWill]

Congratulations, wonderingstudent! It's great to see another another71 member get an big 4 offer!

[Author]

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