[Tom]

Hi guys,

I just found out today that I was let go by a Big 4 firm in Boston.

I only started in August 2016.

I have no idea what to do now.

Any advice?

AUD - 91
BEC - 86
FAR - 87
REG - 79

I'm done!

FAR - 87!!!
AUD - TBD (8/15/16)
REG - TBD (10/01/16)
BEC - TBD

[Ne’O]

Tomsmall: it happens.

As one of the older members here getting a CPA more as an aid in my work, I have about 25 years to look back on since graduation two of the top Ivy League schools. I stay plugged into the alumni networks of both, and regionally managed one for a few years. I've known and seen a lot of friends and alumni going along fine, only to run into a senior manager that ground-an-axe for them. In the 5 most memorable instances where I know the person and their capabilities from years of 1-on-1 experience- nearly all were undeserved power trips by the manager. In all 5 instances, the manager left (most were fired) from that firm in the next few years. All 5 people were extremely capable, though one might have let his skill set date a bit.

All moved on. The most competent one took the longest to get a new job, but has had the most brilliant career trajectory since then.

-Yes it's Ne'O.

AUD:  72, 89

FAR:  71, 80

BEC:  83

REG: 82

Newbie CPA Candidate

[shawn in VA]

big 4 is cut throat. you are just a number. You should try for a regional or small CPA firm. They either found someone willing to work at a lower salary OR the client(s) you were assigned was having issues paying their bills or no longer going to be a client in the upcoming months.

That is the issue with big 4 you may only be on 1 to 3 huge clients and if one has financial issues that may cost your job.

AUD - 84
BEC - 81
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 75

AUD - 84

BEC-  81

REG-75

FAR- TBD

[Missy]

Unfortunately they're usually asked to refrain from explaining anything by their legal department and/or employment attorneys (yes I consult with an attorney before terminating someone) because even the most well intentioned discussion can go sideways fast. So you're not likely to ever know more than you already do but like any relationship sometimes employment just doesn't work out. I was fired from my last job (thankfully) and have my suspicion as to why but it doesn't matter at the end of the day. When interviewing you don't need to give details just say you were released and I promise if an interviewer asks why they only want to know did you show up drunk and burn the place down, they don't care if someone else perceived you weren't keeping up with your peers. A simple wasn't the right fit at the right time more than satisfies any curiosity. Actually my current boss knows I was fired from my last job and why I think I was and we LAUGH about it because he says my last boss screwed up letting me go.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

You're better off without B4. They're not for everybody. It takes a certain very specific type of person to last a long time there and if I were
in your shoes, I would not be offended if they kicked me to the curb because I most definitely don't fit their mold. All I would care about is that they paid me maximum unemployment benefits (without fighting the state about it) until I got a new job. They're probably worse off without you than you are without them, if that makes sense.

[Tom]

I can't express enough how much I appreciate you all taking the time to respond.

It means so much.

If anyone has anything else, I would really appreciate it.

But to those that have already provided so much valuable insight, I thank you.

AUD - 91
BEC - 86
FAR - 87
REG - 79

I'm done!

FAR - 87!!!
AUD - TBD (8/15/16)
REG - TBD (10/01/16)
BEC - TBD

[Reverie]

why do y'all talk bad about big 4 like “its not for everyone” or “they're worse off without you” when almost every accounting student wants to work there? Perhaps there is high demand and the big 4 knows this so they abuse their privilege and we're suckers for applying there and taking such abuse.

[gigabyte2001]

I got the following pep talk not that long ago (while waiting for my REG score.)
Our Chairman of the Board is a retired two star air force general (fighter pilot) who was part of the AF in command of the first desert storm war. If you googled his name you'd find a long list of medals, an exemplary Air Force Career, and several mentions & photos in a book cowritten by a very well known author. He also has a bachelors & master's degree now. Here's what he said:
“I went to college right out of high school for about 6 months until I decided it wasn't for me. Since I went to a land grant school, I had to take ROTC, so I took Air Force ROTC. Guess what grade I got?” (of course I said I had no idea) “I got a D. I tell you that to tell you – the worst that happens if you failed is you have to do it again. You're still one of our good troops.”

Moral of the story: Sometimes the guy that got fired, or got a D in ROTC in college or whatever, ends up at the very top. Don't let this get you down and don't stew on the would've, could've, should'ves. When asked (because you will be), gather all the courage you can muster and say, “It wasn't a good fit.” Then move forward. Marines will tell you they never retreat – they simply move forward in an alternate direction. Pretend you're a marine and move forward in a new direction.

AUD - 87
BEC - 78
FAR - 82
REG - 93

.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Anonymous]

@gigabyte2001 that was motivating. Thanks for sharing. deserves 1000 likes.

And it hits even more since I was a marine too.

[Anonymous]

@sensei – I'm not hating on B4. But “almost every accounting student wants to work in B4” is not true. And even if that were true, most of those students don't even know what they're in for when they apply for jobs there. Perhaps more do want to work there than don't, but it's definitely not for everybody and that's a fact. The environment at those firms is very stressful and just like any other company, those who succeed there are those who fit in, or somehow make it work. Some people go to work for small firms and they're more cut out for B4 and get jobs there instead. Most people at B4 are very aggressive. I've seen that over and over again. Aggressive, and not usually in a good way. My “they're worse off without you than you are without them” comment to OP was because they got fired for no good reason – it sounded like it was a fit but they weren't allowed to continue working there.

[Reverie]

@crazyleon Mind elaborating on the Big 4's “aggressive” behavior? Just curious.

[Small4]

Keep your head up and good luck with your future search. I've had colleagues let go, and even staff that are doing much much better now vs years prior to that. Its a learning experience but its just a bump on the road for you. It does seem unfair if you were just let go like that without proper warning….typically when the upper folks don't provide ample and honest performance discussions early on, whatever consequences months later would look very shocking…so whatever you did that warranted them letting you go is also a really bad thing for them given that they didnt give you proper guidance.

A good boss usually are those that are open and honest early on and not let things just happen like this.

Again, wish you all the best and look at the bright side, you are a CPA/passed the exams already…so thats a very marketable thing to have.

AUD - 77
BEC - 75
FAR - 82
REG - 77

-Becker (do all mcq, period),
-Buy NINJA mcq (68% trend), and
-PRINT trouble topics.

-Also Used WTB mcq (68% trend).
-Do 40-50 SIMs and read answers/try to learn from solutions like its a book example.
-Lastly, when having trouble with same topic, go big picture and watch trouble lecture

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Pete]

This is a VERY COMMON practice in public accounting. You get brought in for tax season, then let go, during the enjoyable calm months.

At my last firm, the same thing happened. Randomly, I was blind-sighted by the fact it would be my last day. Never stated that I was doing anything poorly, until my final day. Was actually expecting a promotion, which is why I went into the meeting happy/smiling. Basically, I worked the extremely busy months, then was let go, right when things calmed down.

My friend had a similar situation. In his case, he ended up being let go, after covering for someone, who went away. He basically had the work of 2 people, while that other person was away. In addition, he ended up training his replacement. When the other person came back, he was told “he wasn't learning things fast enough;” it was his last day.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Tom]

I just wanted to follow up with you guys on my progress.

I have had a ton of phone interviews and 4 in person interviews recently. Unfortunately, a number of companies did not want to go further because I didn't have enough experience (recruiter got me interviews for Senior Accountant positions). I was really close on one job for a big commercial real estate company, but I was just beat out by someone with real estate experience (of which I have none).

I was getting really down about not having a job until I came back and reread the comments from you fellow Ninjas.

Should the recruiters keep getting me interviews for Senior Accountant positions or should they set their sights lower?

I have less than one year at PwC (as noted) and about 2 1/2 years at an insurance company in their accounting department.

AUD - 91
BEC - 86
FAR - 87
REG - 79

I'm done!

FAR - 87!!!
AUD - TBD (8/15/16)
REG - TBD (10/01/16)
BEC - TBD

[Anonymous]

I would try those Senior Accountant positions. It really doesn't hurt to try and it opens so much more opportunities than just Staff Accountants. The pay is much better at Senior level as well. Recruiters would try to send you anywhere that they could get a share of their commissions. However, the hiring managers at the companies must have reviewed your resume and liked you on paper before they would contacted the recruiter to call you in. You just need to keep going to interviews and don't get discouraged! I am pretty sure a great offer would come along eventually if you try hard enough.

I wish you the best of luck!

[Tom]

Just got turned down for the job I interviewed with on Friday.

This is getting really discouraging.

I have had plenty of interviews and have interviewed well, but no one wants me.

AUD - 91
BEC - 86
FAR - 87
REG - 79

I'm done!

FAR - 87!!!
AUD - TBD (8/15/16)
REG - TBD (10/01/16)
BEC - TBD

[Author]

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