[TalentedCPA]

I have huge dilemma choosing between a unique opportunity or a standard opportunity. I have offers from 3 of the big 4 – EY, PwC, and KPMG. Two of which are for full time position start date next fall and the other is for a position for a year long internship with the National Quality Organization (in their National Office).

The NQO position is unique because only 6 people are offered the position and the intern will work only with the senior managers and partners in the office on various projects. The pay nearly equates to first year salary, so this is not an issue. The downside is that I would be delaying graduation by a year and the start of my career. This firm also has 1 extra year tagged onto it for Senior Associate promotion so essentially what I can do in 2 years in on of the other firms will take me twice as long with this firm (their year added + my year delay by declining FT work).

If this were a normal internship it wouldn’t even be considered, but to have the opportunity to work in the National Office with some of the smartest/brightest managers and partners of the firm is a pretty big deal (so they say). I am aware that when I complete the internship I will have seen/experienced things the manager(s)/partner(s) on my engagement team may never see. I have also been informed on how competitive it is for managers and partners to get into the national office; a requirement to make partner (they “tour” there for a few years). It seems the experience will give me the opportunity internally network, work with some of the brightest and most accomplished senior level staff, and work on very complex issues that many will never be able to share in.

Any suggestions? Will the value of the internship counter the delay? Is it a way that will differentiate me within the firm and build a unique internal network that is worth the extra time?

[Anonymous]

I know who KPMG, PwC, and EY are. I do not know who NQO is. In other words, if I am the hiring manager, I am probably choosing the person who has experience at a Big 4. To me it's a no-brainer.

[Myredstapler]

@brooks303 – NQO is a department within the national office of one of the big 4.

@Talented CPA – Go with the national office position. You were chosen for a reason and this will give you great exposure to the higher ups within the organization. I assume PwC.

[TalentedCPA]

@MyRedStapler – Thank you so much!

What is the value of having exposure to the higher ups? It sounds like these individuals are gone after their tour anyway. The promotion schedule within the firm seems pretty rigid so I can't see how having these connections would impact my career progression until I was faced with the last jump to partnership. I have no certainty I would make it to that point in my career, and if I do, I have no certainty those connections will still hold an active presence in the firm.

The other issue is – what if a few years down the road I find that I am not a fit at that firm and choose to jump ship. I certainly don't plan something like this, but I have to be realistic about the plausibility of this variable; from reading other's experiences within the big 4, it's not an uncommon occurrence. If I choose to exit the firm, those relationships I imagine would be pretty meaningless? At which point, I wonder if my time invested is wasted or if it still retains value no matter what turning point I might face in my career.

At first it seemed like a no-brainer. The internship was too good to pass up. Then, when I put thought behind it and started to really evaluate how little I know about what the National Office exposure means to the accounting world, I came to a cross road.

Also – you assume correct.

Regardless, I believe I will take. Since I have no exposure to public accounting at this point, I feel as though I can not appreciate the value of this opportunity. I am just looking for a better understanding and to find other's viewpoints/ideas/opinions. I sincerely appreciate your previous response – Thank you!!

To Note: The partner from the one of the other firms called me, the only candidate he called after the 2nd round day, and spent about 10 minutes talking with me on the phone. The feedback he gave was astonishing and he not only expressed, but truly emphasized, how strong of a candidate I was and how successful he can see me within his firm. The position would be with him, on his team, which I love because I had a great connection and great chemistry with him. It is very meaningful to me to know that the other option is to start my career on a team with a partner that has so much respect and belief in me and wants to see me succeed. To have partner willing to take me under his wing and to see so much talent in me that I am the only individual he called hours after the event is a strong selling point as well – or maybe that is what it was – a selling point? I like to think I can believe what he said – but naturally I would. 😉

[krokofilen]

I've been with a Big 4 for 8 years. I know what I would have done – go for the NQO. You can always go from there to “regular audit” or whatever you like, once you're in. It's a good thing to put on your internal CV. It will also give you a good internal network. Loosing 1-2 years, yeah sucks now, but in the long-run, it won't matter.

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[TalentedCPA]

Thank you krokofilen – It helps to received unbiased (so to speak) feedback and especially from an employee of the Big 4 whose had quite some longevity; that adds quite a big a value to your suggestion!

Do you think firm culture should be taken into consideration? I think they both have great, but different, cultures. I feel like so many people emphasize the importance of this when making a decision. However, I just see myself really liking and disliking people from both firms, and realistically speaking, I just don't see how I can make the prediction that I'm going to like my team/those I work with from an interview hiring event. People from all firms were very nice. One firm I did feel a little more at home with and comfortable, the other a little less comfortable/natural – I am not sure how much that feeling really indicates the experience I will have once I am employed there?

[Author]

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