[Lutherloser]

I got an offer from the best of second tier and will start soon, BDO/GT/RSM/Plante Moran you guess. I graduated from a top 50 university with 3.9 GPA, and just completed the MSA program at a top 20 school. Half year before start date, I’ve passed all sections of CPA exams. Even though recruiting season has been a year, I was still frustrating that I didn’t get a big 4 offer. Since I was in college, I was not only top of the class but had good internships with big banks, industry accounting, etc. But eventually I just wanna land with a Big 4 audit job but couldn’t get it. Lot of my classmates are getting multiple big 4 offers. Everyday for me is gloomy.

I’m seeking for really mental help. I will start my job at my second tier soon but I don’t think I’m ready. I want to work with the people that best of the best (big4), I don’t want be viewed as a second-tier accounting student. I feel ashamed on putting the mid-tier firm on my resume but I got to make for a living so I accepted the offer.

Is there a possibility to switch to Big 4 firms and when can I do it at the earliest? I checked on a lot job website like monster.com, but almost didn’t find such position as experienced audit associate, all they are looking for are managerial levels advisory, technology positions, and so I’m even more frustrated and I don’t know where to go.

Also, how the client base will differ between Big 4 and top mid-tier? Will that influence the future career? My friends at Big 4 boasted that they have huge clients so that they know a lot of complicated stuffs for a company and could put on the resume?

For me, I don’t have anything. Just got a job and get going. I regret go to such top schools’ MSA program, just get credits from community college.

Again, I don’t think I’m happy at all. I barely smile since one year ago. Please help.

[ruggercpa2b]

You realize that even mid tier firms hire the best of the best as well. I wish people would stop making not getting into Big 4 such a huge deal. You do not need to seek mental help. I worked at a Big 4 and then switched to a mid tier firm. I loved the mid tier firm because you had a lot more exposure to the partners and you got to know the people you worked with. I was also exposed to a lot more on audits than I ever was at a Big 4. We go the opportunity to pitch clients as seniors. I loved my time at the mid tier more than anything.

You need to change your attitude and go in ready to learn. What are you going to learn in Big 4 audit that you will not learn at a mid tier firm? You are doing this for all the wrong reasons. To be able to go around saying you work at a Big 4.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Juice23]

Well, I hate to tell you, but a job in Big 4 will not make you smile if you're not smiling already. I get the bragging rights that come with being able to say you started your career at one of them (I did), but at the end of the day you need to decide if it is a good fit for you. The turnover at the big 4 is astounding – the only reason it works is because they know they have a fresh set of recruits dying to join them at a moment's notice. Big 4 business model is to squeeze as much value from staff as possible, which translates into an untenable work/life balance (that is, if you want to do anything other than work–like have kids, read a book, volunteer, etc.)

I started my career at PwC (after interning with Deloitte), with the intent of jumping ship as soon as the right Fortune 500 job came along. Well, i was incredibly unhappy at PwC and now, several years later and a lot more self-reflection, I find that I fit best in medium-sized companies. I probably would have thrived at a mid-market firm had I given them a chance.

Ruggercpa2b's comments are worth taking seriously. You will get much more exposure at a mid-market firm than a big 4. Your clients may be smaller (not always), but the work will be just as complex and interesting. Get a big 4 job if you must, but don't overlook the unique and valuable experience you will get if you work at a mid-market firm. Very smart people, much more laid back (though still professional and hard-working), comparable pay, direct exposure to company executives that you absolutely will not get at big 4.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 78
REG - NINJA in Training

BBA, MA, MA.

"Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language." - Wittgenstein

[Anonymous]

Quit whining for God sakes, you sound like a spoiled brat.

Go to the Mid Tier firm, work your ass off for a few years and then reevaluate what you want to do.

Going to a mid Tier firm is nowhere near the disaster you think it is.

[tygolfer]

Get off your high horse….that's my best advice. I don't think I have ever seen such a whiny post on here before. Are you from another country? Just basing this on your use of English. I have two sisters and multiple friends from China, and I know a little bit about that culture. Contrary to what you might think, you don't have to go to the top school or work at the top firm to be successful. The CEO at my company was a Ivy League dropout, and now he is a billionaire. I can guarantee you he didn't achieve that success by whining, he worked his ass off every day. Success is earned, not given.

AUD - 92
BEC - 84
FAR - 77
REG - 89

MDS CPA Review and Ninja MCQ for final review 2 weeks prior to each exam

 

[CPYay]

agree with @tygolfer. You have a very warped perception and don't understand the reality of the situation…. All this assuming you're not some internet troll.

I graduated last year while in my 30's. In my accounting classes, the people sitting around me–whom barely comprehended accounting, let alone passed the classes–were bragging about their Big4 offers. I didn't apply to any public firms as I went the private route. I work for a company they would die to get into and am at least $20K ahead of them on the payscale.

Big4 has nothing to do with talent or success. It's a vehicle that MIGHT open more doors because of the household name. It doesn't guarantee more knowledge or more success. Don't buy into the hype that Big4 is better than the next tier.

For someone with a 3.9 GPA, you seriously didn't do your homework on what path to take after graduation. For that, I give you an F. Grow up.

AUD - 92
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 84

Mailed application! Hoping to be licensed by year-end!

[Lutherloser]

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[Anonymous]

Let's see-you graduated college, passed the CPA exam, and got the job offer-I mean seems like you are just where you should be. Hate to tell you, but as a first-year at any public accounting firm, you are a big fat nobody, no matter what:)

[Ana]

you're better off at mid tier, more access to different aspects of audit and workpapers. mid-tier clients are nothing to scoff at. in the B4 in get stuck on cycle tests for over a year bc clients are so big. there's so much growth potential for you. be grateful, you've worked hard and don't be hard on yourself for not meeting a goal that you don't even know is best for you. if you still want the B4 experience you can get there once you get some experience at your firm. the turnover is so high at B4 and they're looking for senior auditors.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 64, 77
FAR - 73, 73, 73, 82
Ethics: 74, 84, 98
Finally done after 23 months.

[Jj]

You should be happy a company offered at all. Sound a bit entitled. You'll learn the hard way, unfortunately. Good luck.

[Son]

How to spot BrickellCPA's post:

1. It has a controversial topic. Say, “people in Big4s are smarter than others” or “I can't get a job because interviewers are intimidated by how brilliant I am”

2. The poster is a star student/athlete/future billionaire/prodigy/went to best school/has an 8.0 GPA (make your pick)

3. Life is terribly unfair to the poster. People who surround him are so stupid that they simply don't understand their limitations. They just don't get life, you know? All the while…

4. …the poster figured it out. See also #2 above. He's transcended to a different level (or maybe was born there?). He's the underappreciated guru and can teach us all how life and accounting world REALLY work.

Bonus: there has only been 1 or two topics created or answered by the poster.

In all seriousness, Ana was right in her comment on that other post of yours. Dude, this is plain pathetic. You really spend the time to register a new email address and write those fake posts? English is my third language, I can tell when someone makes mistakes because English is not their native language, and when they are faking. There is always a pattern.

Just get a life. People (including myself) have found this board to be a valuable resource in times of trouble, be it studying for the exams or job searching. Some are still willing to give back, but you're ruining their motivation to offer help with your silly trolling.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Jj]

^ if that's true that is some really pathetic stuff

[Reverie]

I get Slytherin vibes from the OP.

[Anthony]

I can smell the kool-aid oozing out of this post. Good god, how many kegs of kool-aid did they forced it down to you?

AUD - 82
BEC - 80
FAR - 81
REG - 82

FAR - 74 first attempt

[Anonymous]

@Son sorry bud, not my post. Also I challenge you to copy and paste anything from me that resembles what the OP is about. I've opened up healthy conversations about the differences in the cultures of firms whereas this post is something completely different. Unfortunately your lack of reading comprehension and inability to identify an intellectual conversation vs someone complaining/calling for help and attention is unimpressive. Maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself and not post anymore if you can't handle simple discussions and differences of opinion?

[Anonymous]

Much agreed @Anthony.

If this is even a real post – as someone who works at a firm you listed, your attitude is going to make your soon-to-be coworkers dislike working with you as much as you dislike working at that firm.

[Author]

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