[RHLauren]

I worked 2 1/2 years at a Big 4 firm (PwC) right out of college. The hours were really tough but I learned a lot. The competitive nature was also difficult for me. I wasn’t crazy about the travel, either, but I liked the per diem. I didn’t stick around long enough to make Senior. Yes, I’m considering going back to public, but I’m more mature now, and chilled out, and I know a lot more about business. And I’m still single without a family, so I can work long hours and travel. (And I finally got my CPA license this year – thanks ninja notes!)

After PwC I moved to private as a Senior Accountant for a really fabulous internet company and I’ve had great experience (and luck) ever since. I moved through the ranks at a couple internet and mobile content companies over the last 7 years, my last position being Controller at a ~100 person company. Unfortunately, in the last 7 years I never worked for any strong accountants. Only hands-off CFOs. I got things done researching on my own and relying on the public accounting teams I hired. My exposure to complicated GAAP, IFRS, and purchase accounting is minimal. Exposure to SEC reporting, cost accounting, inventory, and SOX is nothing. My staff always likes me, but I know I’m not the greatest manager; I think I just need to be shown how.

6 months ago I had the opportunity to take a break from working (for the first time in my life since I’ve been 13) so I’ve been on sabbatical travelling. Now it’s time to find my next job. I have no trouble getting a position as an Accounting Manager or Controller at a fun internet or ecommerce company (Los Angeles), but honestly those industries don’t interest me much and I’m woefully aware of my technical accounting deficiencies. Ideally I’d like a job at a multinational public company, but on track to someday be a Corporate Controller there, not a career financial analyst. (Career financial analyst sounds wonderful and highly respectable of course, but like I said I’m single without a family and very very hungry to learn new things and continue my move up the ladder.) Industries that interest me are manufacturing, life sciences, or high tech (I’m so sick of Ad revenue!)

Is it a good idea to try to get a position with a Big 4 firm as a senior at this point in my life? (Or even possible?) I would really like to have all the learning experiences that come with public, and to be mentored, something that’s hard to find in private. Is it worth the pay cut (perhaps significant), extra hours, travelling, competition, and extra stress? Or should I just stick with my (very) high paying 40 hour a week jobs even though the companies don’t interest me much and I’ll never be qualified for my dream jobs?

Thanks to anyone who read all of this and especially to anyone who responds… 🙂

- CPA, California 2014 active -

2 1/2 years Big 4
7 years private

[Mrs.Smith]

That's so funny. A lot of us are bustin it in public accounting just to get a job exactly like the one you have! Low stress, 40 hours, very highly paid and working with people who like you? Where do I sign up?

I went from industry to public… Wasn't quite to controller but had a few years of progressive experience, then switched to public as a senior auditor. You do learn a lot in public accounting, but I think it's more because you are fighting and clawing your way through difficult engagements, reading and scouring to everything you can find to expand your technical knowledge, than because you have a mentor or are being taught. Maybe that's just my firm though. I'm definitely from the “little to no training in public accounting” school of thought. Do big 4 firms have mentoring and teaching? Maybe I need to explore. Lol.

This is just my opinion… I'm not a hiring manager and others may see it differently. I think that you should only make the switch if you think you will stay a couple years and at least make manager. Otherwise, moving from controller to senior auditor might devalue some of your previous controller experience. My biggest fear is that if I walk away from public accounting after just a year, even with in-charge experience, my stint in public will be more of a blemish than an enhancement to my résumé. Not to mention the forgone income! Not sure if that fear is justified or not, but food for thought.

I think if you interview well, are willing to take a significant pay cut and work under people who have less total years of experience than you, you will have no problem finding a big 4 that will take you on. Many firms are hesitant to hire people from industry because they don't think they will stick around long… And from my observation they don't. Once you have experienced high pay, a slower paced workplace and increased quality of life, it can be hard to adjust to the grind of PA.

I have always been a firm believer in regretting something that you did rather than regretting something you didn't do. If you think a few years in PA will take you to your “dream job” than at least go interview! Talk to partners and see if you could be a good fit even with untraditional background. Otherwise you might always wonder “what if.”

[Mrs.Smith]

That's so funny. A lot of us are bustin it in public accounting just to get a job exactly like the one you have! Low stress, 40 hours, very highly paid and working with people who like you? Where do I sign up?

I went from industry to public… Wasn't quite to controller but had a few years of progressive experience, then switched to public as a senior auditor. You do learn a lot in public accounting, but I think it's more because you are fighting and clawing your way through difficult engagements, reading and scouring to everything you can find to expand your technical knowledge, than because you have a mentor or are being taught. Maybe that's just my firm though. I'm definitely from the “little to no training in public accounting” school of thought. Do big 4 firms have mentoring and teaching? Maybe I need to explore. Lol.

This is just my opinion… I'm not a hiring manager and others may see it differently. I think that you should only make the switch if you think you will stay a couple years and at least make manager. Otherwise, moving from controller to senior auditor might devalue some of your previous controller experience. My biggest fear is that if I walk away from public accounting after just a year, even with in-charge experience, my stint in public will be more of a blemish than an enhancement to my résumé. Not to mention the forgone income! Not sure if that fear is justified or not, but food for thought.

I think if you interview well, are willing to take a significant pay cut and work under people who have less total years of experience than you, you will have no problem finding a big 4 that will take you on. Many firms are hesitant to hire people from industry because they don't think they will stick around long… And from my observation they don't. Once you have experienced high pay, a slower paced workplace and increased quality of life, it can be hard to adjust to the grind of PA.

I have always been a firm believer in regretting something that you did rather than regretting something you didn't do. If you think a few years in PA will take you to your “dream job” than at least go interview! Talk to partners and see if you could be a good fit even with untraditional background. Otherwise you might always wonder “what if.”

[Author]

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