[Anonymous]

Fellow ninjas,

I am not trying to troll here, but sincerely need some opinions and suggestions from people who have related experience.

I am one of those lucky graduates who received 3 Big4 offers (from Deloitte, EY, and PwC) during this recruiting season. I have visited all three firms’ offices in my city and enjoyed meeting the people in all the offices. Geographically, all three offices are very close to each other in the downtown area, and the facilities in all offices are very nice. The offers are very similar too in terms of compensation, benefits, and career trajectory.

I am having a difficult time making a decision. My question is, from a longer term perspective, which firm would have a better outlook in terms of growth and global presence? I ask because I have heard that firm prestige sometimes plays a role if you want to go to top Fortune 500 companies or work overseas. Has anyone ever encountered such situation where one ex-Big4 employee is preferred over the other ex-Big4 employee (sorta like PwC vs. KPMG)? Sorry if I sound superficial and stupid, I just wanna hear what you guys would say about that.

Thanks much in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[thechapman]

I would say worry about choosing the people you like the best. No one will care which of the four you came from once you've left, despite the KPMG jokes you've most likely read in different places

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

It varies by area in my experience as to which is perceived as the best… and which people you've worked with. Some alumni prefer to hire from their old firm. Maybe you should check and see which EVP/VPs work at the fortune 500 companies you'd like to work for.

In my geographical area and also personal experience, EY would be my perceived leading firm, I've lived other places, one where Deloitte was the leading/most prestigious firm.

[mla1169]

IMHO, Big 4 is big 4 to the industry sector. Most businesses will see any big 4 and level them on the same playing field.

UNLESS the person hiring you is an alumni of one of the big 4 (i.e. you worked for KPMG but she worked for PwC) and of course if that does come into play there's no way to anticipate it right now.

Look people up on LinkedIn who work for F500 companies in roles you'd be interested in. I'm sure you'll come across all 4 of the big guys in their backgrounds.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[taxman89]

see which firms work for what fortune 500 companies in your city. If E&Y is the auditor for xyz company and you work for E&Y you have a better shot with that company even if you are not on the engagement (at least that was the case in my exp). regardless….compile a list of the companies you want to work for in your city after you work for big4. find out their auditors, and make your decision from there

AUD - 75
BEC - 77
FAR - 78
REG - 82

AUD: 61-67-75 (Thanks ninja aud)
BEC: 77
FAR: 78
REG:69-73-70-82

Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
Far-78 1x easiest section

[thelawnwranglers]

Client list- what is the best industry/industries in your area, and what firm has the most of those type of audits?

[supercpa11]

Go based on your experience with the people you met with, who seemed nice and whom would you see yourself getting along with.

as for which big4 is better, they are all the same when you leave, but while working for them you want your firm to be in a position to grow and for that I would say EY is on top right now. grew the most y-o-y in revenues and have a very aggressive approach vision2020 for the future.

[Anonymous]

Go with PwC. They are implementing this new ‘real-time development' where you get instant feedback on the work you do, instead of waiting until year end when performance reviews are due for promotions/raises. None of the other Big4 have this. This is a huge plus because you know exactly how you're doing WHILE you're doing it, and can make adjustments to improve your work instead of struggling through an entire busy season not knowing how you're doing like the other Big4

Disclaimer: Yes I work at PwC

[supercpa11]

@CPjAson nice now you can find out how badly you suck everyday instead of at the end of the yr.

[Anonymous]

Definitely PwC. Vault agrees.

[Anonymous]

I think Deloitte is the biggest, but PwC is the largest provider of Assurance services in the world. And the real time development…good stuff. I just initiated a snapshot an hour ago.

[Anonymous]

two for two on performance differentiators. i also can't wait to take a selfie at the end of the year

[Zhabaisimmortal]

Only one of the big four has an office in Times Square.

[Anonymous]

“I ask because I have heard that firm prestige sometimes plays a role if you want to go to top Fortune 500 companies or work overseas”

You heard wrong. And even if you didn't, they are all considered the same level of “prestige” to industry. In no way should you factor this into your decision making.

Now if you want to go overseas – you should look into the various firms international rotation programs – at what level can you do it, how difficult is it to get one…etc., because those vary by firm.

[thechapman]

@Zhabaisimmortal try putting that on a resume

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

I vote for Deloitte. They hire ivy leaguers for the consulting.

[Author]

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