[Lunchboxx]

Hello current and future CPAs.

I have just started my career as an auditor. My original plan was to work for the Big 4; I had the good grades (3.8+ GPA) and the credentials(passed the CPA exam) to make the Big 4. But due to bad timing of recruiting I had to settle for a small CPA firm. At first, I was very upset and felt under-employed; but, I grew to love working at a small CPA firm. The hours are amazing(even for busy season), the people are great, and the pay isn’t too bad either (within 5% of Big 4 salary).

I am still living at my parents house to save money for a house; hopefully, I can buy my dream starter house by December. Basically, I am happier than I ever been: I have the free time to do all of my favorite activities, I have the best coworkers, and I have enough money to buy everything I need.

I had a conversation with my mom over dinner about my current job. She expected me to still pursue the Big 4 since I have the talent and time to do it. I told her that I am slowly starting to turn away from the Big 4 because I am not willing to sacrifice my current lifestyle. When my mom heard this, she blew up and started telling me that I am lazy and wasting my talents. She told me that I’ll never have enough money to do what I want in life if I don’t go Big 4 etc….

My question to the forum is the following! Am I crazy for no longer wanting to work for the Big 4? Can I still become successful working at a small firm? How should I cope with my parents giving me a hard time for not pursuing the Big 4?

AUD - 93
REG - 96
BEC - 92
FAR - 90

Done!

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can still become successful without going B4. The closest B4 for me would've required moving, and family ties here were strong enough that moving was out of the question unless I couldn't find any accounting jobs locally. I'm now a 24-year-old CPA controller at a college, making approx double the average salary in my region (based on the census wages for my county), which is enough for my partner and I to live quite comfortably. Will I own a $1 million house someday and drive a Ferrari? Probably not…but, I got here without the B4 sacrifice, without moving away from the family ties locally, and I make enough to pay off my house and car and then save and retire comfortably. It's everything I could want, without the B4 “everything I hate”.

[quittingcpa2013]

Am I crazy for no longer wanting to work for the Big 4?

No

Can I still become successful working at a small firm?

Yes

How should I cope with my parents giving me a hard time for not pursuing the Big 4?

Stop caring, this will take some time to get used to. At the end of the day, It's your life so live it the way you want not the way someone else wants.

[Anonymous]

I was pretty down about not getting Big4. As it turns out, I love the firm I work for. The firm has about 100 staff in a city of just under 3 million residents. The starting salary is better than Big4 in my city, although it probably won't pay as much in the long run. My hours are long right now, but, I get Friday's off in the summer.

If you like your firm who cares what your parents think. You can't live your life for them, only for yourself.

[Missy]

Moms will fight fiercely for what they perceive to be best for their kids, and when the kids reach the age that they're fully capable of making their own great decisions, moms can't just turn off that instinct like a light switch.

Appreciate her intent but make your own decisions. Remind her that she raised you very well and to take heart when the path you choose isn't exactly the same as she would choose on your behalf.

Yes, you can be very successful without big 4. Think of big 4 as a tool in a toolbox, just because you have it doesn't guarantee success and just because you lack it doesn't mean you are doomed.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Big 4 is an unfair perception that unfortunately many people buy into (spoiler alert I am big 4 but have local and regional firm experience). The reality is though the industry puts a lot of worth into big 4 experience so only you can answer what is best. Is your goal to be in public for your career or to springboard your experience into a private job? Sounds like you like your firm and are in it for the long haul so stay with it. Seems like you got a good thing going on so stick with it regardless of the push back from your parents.

[mhueycpa]

The Big 4 Is not the End All Be All of accounting. It honestly makes me sick when I hear people talk about the Big 4 like its Paradise or the Pearly Gates to Accounting Heaven. I've been at small firms, now at a midsized firm, my entire career. I make more at my current position then I would have at the Big 4, because of the breathe and depth of experience I gained at my previous small firm (tax prep, audit, financial stmt prep). I've always thought of being put in a cubicle to work on a handful of accounts to be boring and that's why I never even interviewed with Big 4. Enough ranting. Do what is best for you, do what makes you happy. Also “Not have enough money if you don't go Big 4” What has your mom been smoking? With all do respect, I know accounting majors that went to work for Family Offices/ Hedge Funds and make close to $100k and this was within 2-3yrs out of school, at what level would you make $100k at one of the Big 4, Manager?

THE 300 CLUB WILL DO JUST FINE!

[Anonymous]

Do what you love. Live the life you love. Happiness.

[jschrei2]

Do what you want and what makes you happy, and don't worry about what your parents say. It's your life not theirs, and you should live it how you want to. Big 4 is not the end all in the accounting profession, and it sure sounds like you are considerably more happy than those working at Big 4. In my State you need two years at a CPA firm to meet the experience requirement, and I know way to many people that put in their two years at a Big 4, hated it, were completely burned out of accounting, and are no longer even in the profession. If I were you I would tell your mom to go take a hike and do what makes you happy!

FAR- 88
REG- 88
AUD- 93
BEC-86

[CISNC]

Out of curiosity, what do your parents do? If they are in the accounting profession, I can kind of see why they would care so much (but not really). It's mind boggling that they are so obsessed with where you work. There may be something more to this than you're describing…

AUD - 79
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 76

NINJA only - no book, no notes, mcq and audio only

FAR - Pass
AUD - Pass
BEC - Pass
REG - September

[Thrawn]

Why would you give up a job you love to possibly go be miserable somewhere else? I would rather be happy and paid slightly less than miserable with more money. Heck, if you really enjoy this job maybe you are in the running to be a partner at this smaller cpa firm which is still a very big achievement and will make you more than comfortable.

BEC 87 Feb 14
REG 84 Apr 14
FAR 82 Nov 14
AUD 86 Feb 15

[fuzyfro89]

Am I crazy for no longer wanting to work for the Big 4?

No

Can I still become successful working at a small firm?

Yes, you can. Neither firm is any type of guarantee on future success.

How should I cope with my parents giving me a hard time for not pursuing the Big 4?

Explain your position and reasoning. Hear their point. Understand it. Explore it. Then, make your decision as you see fit. Otherwise, grow a pair? It's not possible to make some people see your point and agree with it… that includes family.

[Anonymous]

No, you should work where you love it. I currently work for PwC and sometimes the hours and stress can be duanting. Stay there if its all good.

[Tripp11]

@ Lunchboxx – Your mom drunk on the B4 Koolaide or what? 🙂 A B4 position is not the end all, be all of public accounting positions.

If you're happy with your salary, responsibilities, growth, etc… at your current employer, I would tell your mom to go pound sand.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[acamp]

Its your career. Do you feel like upward mobility options both internally and externally after some time with the firm are strong? That is probably your mom's biggest hang up.

During your time there has anyone left or do you know of anyone who has left? If so, what have they gone on to do? Try to get a feeling for the exit opportunities and if they are inline (or not far off) from the opportunities people receive who leave larger firms.

Further, what does the make up of the firm personnel look like? Are the managers hired in (ie: former big4, top10, etc) or did they start as staff (like you) and work their way up? For those that worked their way up, how long did it take?

While I don't feel Big4 is the end all be all, its position in the marketplace is very clear and people who come from there generally encounter some pretty good opportunities. Make sure you understand where you can go in the firm, and if you leave what your exit opportunities look like. Sure, nice hours is cool and all, but I want to know where you can end up in 5 years working for this smaller firm especially while you're young (I assume) and living at home.

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

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