[Anonymous]

Graduated last June and I started working at my current firm (midsize regional in major city) in audit this past winter. After busy season, my friend who works at PwC asked me if I was interested in applying an I said sure. Fast forward 2.5 months and I have accepted an offer to work there.

My scheduled start date at PwC is September 8th. Does anyone have any advice on when I should tell my current firm I am leaving, and how to do so? Fwiw I am taking a $6,000 hit in base pay to switch firms, but am thinking that in the long run working at the Big4 firm will be better. Does it look bad that I will only have been at my current firm for ~7-8 months?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[mla1169]

2 weeks before you are to start you give your employer written notice that you've accepted another opportunity. If you are expecting vacation time when you leave you might give your notice a week earlier and take a week off between jobs.

How can it look bad, you got a big 4 offer. That answers your question right there.

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[Anonymous]

I couldn't imagine taking a $6,000 pay cut to go be abused by a Big 4 firm. I guess PwC will look snazzy on a resume though. It's probably not too late to rethink this madness, but it sounds like you know what you want. As for your question, I agree with mla. Two weeks is the standard. Good luck.

[fuzyfro89]

“Does anyone have any advice on when I should tell my current firm I am leaving, and how to do so?”

At least 2 weeks ahead of time. Pull aside your direct manager/[partner/etc and let them know you will be resigning. If they ask for more, just be sure to be professional, thank them for the experience, and let them know you'll be contacting HR soon. If I were in your situation (having already accepted the PwC offer), I would have a brief chat with my supervisor(s) maybe 3-4 weeks ahead, and send the note to HR shortly afterwards. In the land of quitting, the more notice you give, the less bridges you burn… of course, more than 4 weeks is unnecessary.

“Does it look bad that I will only have been at my current firm for ~7-8 months?”

Would you stay longer if I said ‘Yes, you look like an a$$hole'? Okay, so don't worry about it, lol. Unfortunately, in this employment world, you have to look out for yourself and your own experience, because the Accounting Gods sure as hell won't.

[Anonymous]

I just did the very thing you have questions on…my start date is August 11th and I gave them 7 weeks notice.

I had been debating with my husband and other family on whether or not to give so much notice, but deep down in my gut I felt the sooner the better because of Fall busy season. My firm is small in relation to the big 4 but big for the type of work we do. One of the main reasons I wanted to give them so much notice is to make sure I knew which returns management would like me to have done before I left. Couldn't really have that conversation without telling them I was leaving.

It just so happened that I had an evaluation scheduled so I figured it would be best to tell them at the evaluation. When my bosses realized I was giving them 7 weeks notice, it turned an otherwise hard conversation into a much lighter more pleasant one. They were very appreciative, to say the least. I realize 7 weeks notice isn't the best solution in every scenario, but in my case it was.

In general, I'd say give as much notice as necessary so that you can leave on good terms with your employers and so that you have left your client list in good standing upon your departure with the firm. It's just the right thing to do…that may mean 2 weeks notice or 4 weeks notice. Only you can determine that.

[Anonymous]

I gave 3 weeks when I left Big 4. I told the lead partner of my main engagement first, then the other 2 partners on that engagement, then any other partners I worked for. From there I made sure my fellow managers knew before I told the rest of my team.

They definitely appreciated the 3 weeks, although I still had a couple of “wow, so soon?” comments. I personally wouldn't give more than 4 weeks unless you think it would be really beneficial for your current company to know earlier. I also recommend setting it up so you have at least a few days in between. My last day in Big was a Friday. I took off the following week and started my new job the Monday after. It was awesome! To have a week off where there was no to do list waiting for me on my desk when I returned was so relaxing! I definitely recommend it if you can do that.

I was really nervous giving notice, but once I started talking to the first partner it wasn't so bad anymore.

[RIST]

My story back in the day:

Big 4 opportunity and Local/regional opportunities. Big 4 Paid more but I still didn't take it! My mind just exploded when I saw you'd take a pay cut for PwC. Of course the resume item will be great, but man, you are a determined MOFO to make such a move.

Man you are in for some fun CPjAson. The Big 4 is a whole new ballgame. I have lots of friends in Big 4 firms and they are not exactly in love with the hours! Except for one. She is insane, though. Every time I ask her about it she talks about how nice everyone is. That said, she grew up in another country so being in an American jail would probably be better than her home town, lol.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses, everyone! Yeah, I am definitely taking the risk of leaving the comfort of a smaller firm for the craziness of Big4, but I want to push myself and see where I'm at compared to other top accountants. Although the base is smaller, the bonus for passing the CPA is $2000 larger and I would get it on my first paycheck instead of having to wait a year after passing like it is at my current firm. There are semi-annual bonuses from what I'm told. I always dreamed of working for a Big4 firm one day, so I had to follow my dreams and take the offer. Hopefully I made the right decision!

[Author]

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