[Anonymous]

I suspect this question will seem stupid to some of you, but… What’s the big deal with trying to get into the Big 4? Honestly it’s something I never even considered till I was on this forum…partially cause my interest has always been more in the small business realm, but also partially because it never crossed my mind! Here, though, it seems like almost everyone has been Big 4 or wants to be Big 4. So what’s the reasons/motivation for that?

[barelystayingsane]

Not a stupid question! My personal motivation for joining the Big 4 is that you get phenomenal training and on-the-job experience. Working in the Big 4 also provides you with a lot of career opportunities if you decide to leave public accounting. A lot of this is because companies know how good the training and experience is within the Big 4.

[barelystayingsane]

Not a stupid question! My personal motivation for joining the Big 4 is that you get phenomenal training and on-the-job experience. Working in the Big 4 also provides you with a lot of career opportunities if you decide to leave public accounting. A lot of this is because companies know how good the training and experience is within the Big 4.

[littlenumberrobot]

I had similar questions in college. Personally I didn't consider it because there was only one small office of a Big 4 in my city, so I knew my chances were slim. I also knew moving wasn't an option for me. I like public accounting and see myself staying it, so maybe it all worked out right for me.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[littlenumberrobot]

I had similar questions in college. Personally I didn't consider it because there was only one small office of a Big 4 in my city, so I knew my chances were slim. I also knew moving wasn't an option for me. I like public accounting and see myself staying it, so maybe it all worked out right for me.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[jeff]

Huge career booster if you can stay 2 years.

I worked at a public company where all of the upper-level finance/accounting people were Big 4 alums and whenever a prospect came through – first thing I heard them ask was “are they Big 4?”

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

Huge career booster if you can stay 2 years.

I worked at a public company where all of the upper-level finance/accounting people were Big 4 alums and whenever a prospect came through – first thing I heard them ask was “are they Big 4?”

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

The Big 4 wouldn't even look at me because my GPA was “too low” (3.05 btw). But yeah like what Jeff said, it can be a huge career booster if you can get the experience.

[Anonymous]

The Big 4 wouldn't even look at me because my GPA was “too low” (3.05 btw). But yeah like what Jeff said, it can be a huge career booster if you can get the experience.

[Kenada]

True, if you have the Big 4 on your resume then yes its a good Career boost for you.

I never got into the Big 4 but I was part of a Medium size firm in the UK and I got a well rounded work experience with them. i was there for 3.5 yrs before I decided to move to Industry.

I would say if you don't get into the Big 4 don't get disheartened, there are a number of med-size firms that will give you a great back ground too. Its also really comes down to you as well, how you are willing to learn and perform.

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[Kenada]

True, if you have the Big 4 on your resume then yes its a good Career boost for you.

I never got into the Big 4 but I was part of a Medium size firm in the UK and I got a well rounded work experience with them. i was there for 3.5 yrs before I decided to move to Industry.

I would say if you don't get into the Big 4 don't get disheartened, there are a number of med-size firms that will give you a great back ground too. Its also really comes down to you as well, how you are willing to learn and perform.

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[Anonymous]

I did not think about the “Big 4” really, I would have taken the job for experience, but knew I would not stay. I wanted to work with smaller business. This is a second career for me, and I knew what my dream job would be. My current job, when I applied had my dream job description. It was everything I wanted. And I love it here. Been here 3 years, and not looking to go anywhere. I do get to help the clients a lot, and I love that.

It really depends on what you want. Talk to recruiters. It helped me focus on how to get where I wanted to be longer term along with the pro's and con's from choosing to go with a big 4 or larger regional firm or a small office.

[Anonymous]

I did not think about the “Big 4” really, I would have taken the job for experience, but knew I would not stay. I wanted to work with smaller business. This is a second career for me, and I knew what my dream job would be. My current job, when I applied had my dream job description. It was everything I wanted. And I love it here. Been here 3 years, and not looking to go anywhere. I do get to help the clients a lot, and I love that.

It really depends on what you want. Talk to recruiters. It helped me focus on how to get where I wanted to be longer term along with the pro's and con's from choosing to go with a big 4 or larger regional firm or a small office.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the information and perspectives. 🙂 I'm not worried about getting Big 4 experience, because it's not practical for me (family commitments prevent moving, and the nearest Big 4 office is 2 hours away…), but was curious why so many people were so worried about getting it. It's interesting to hear the reputation of the firms in the accounting world…and good to know what aspects of my experience I will need to compensate for if I'm ever competing with applications who have Big 4 experience. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the information and perspectives. 🙂 I'm not worried about getting Big 4 experience, because it's not practical for me (family commitments prevent moving, and the nearest Big 4 office is 2 hours away…), but was curious why so many people were so worried about getting it. It's interesting to hear the reputation of the firms in the accounting world…and good to know what aspects of my experience I will need to compensate for if I'm ever competing with applications who have Big 4 experience. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Look at the job listings, especially for senior internal audit positions with Fortune 1000s, and you'll see why it's a “big deal”.

[Author]

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