[barelystayingsane]

I will be starting my career as a tax associate in a Big 4 firm on Monday, and I am starting to get nervous! I was hoping that you guys could give me some insight on what to expect in that first month. My first two days will be orientation, and the second week will be training, so I’m more curious about what will happen in those three days between orientation and training, as well as those first couple of weeks following training.

I’m especially nervous, because I have not had any accounting work experience in the past. All of my previous internships were in finance or insurance, so I’m afraid I’m going to be behind my peers who previously interned with a Big 4 company. I also have no experience in filling out tax returns (besides what I did in preparation for REG, but let’s face it…that’s nothing like the real world), so that is also making me very nervous.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[W_HAMILTON]

Nothing too major. The biggest part will be trying to fit in socially (i.e., go to group lunches, go to group dinners, go to group social events, etc.) — don't get labeled the outcast early. Work-wise, be on the lookout for someone maybe one year ahead of you that you can look to as a true mentor, someone that you feel comfortable asking questions of. A lot of firms have sort of forced mentorships, which means you might get paired up with someone that doesn't really give a damn about whether you succeed or not, but is just signing up to be a mentor because it will look good on their year-end evaluation.

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[W_HAMILTON]

Nothing too major. The biggest part will be trying to fit in socially (i.e., go to group lunches, go to group dinners, go to group social events, etc.) — don't get labeled the outcast early. Work-wise, be on the lookout for someone maybe one year ahead of you that you can look to as a true mentor, someone that you feel comfortable asking questions of. A lot of firms have sort of forced mentorships, which means you might get paired up with someone that doesn't really give a damn about whether you succeed or not, but is just signing up to be a mentor because it will look good on their year-end evaluation.

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[Anonymous]

That schedule looks exactly like mine for some reason… are you in CA? Although it's probably a typical firm-wide schedule?

[Anonymous]

That schedule looks exactly like mine for some reason… are you in CA? Although it's probably a typical firm-wide schedule?

[barelystayingsane]

Nope, I'm in the Midwest.

[barelystayingsane]

Nope, I'm in the Midwest.

[Anonymous]

Lots of social interaction the first 2 weeks. Try to be outgoing and make friends early, it'll make the experience more enjoyable once the real work starts. Also, lots and lots of drinking during training haha

[Anonymous]

Lots of social interaction the first 2 weeks. Try to be outgoing and make friends early, it'll make the experience more enjoyable once the real work starts. Also, lots and lots of drinking during training haha

[Author]

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