[katiekanton]

Sorry, I couldn’t find that thread where we were talking about this. I had an interview with a recruiter yesterday and I asked about getting on at a big tax firm. She said that the reason firms are so reluctant to hire anyone older than 30 was that their experience had shown that older people couldn’t work for younger people without it hurting their egos. That is incredibly specific to each individual of course, so if you’re trying to get on at a big firm you might want to find a way to prove that won’t be a problem for you.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

If anyone has any tips and tricks to get into the Big 4 after age 22, please let me know. I am very familiar with the power of having Big 4 on your resume!

I am 30 but have passed 3/4 exams and will graduate with an MSac in June. I've applied at all the Big 4 but won't even get a call. Anyone on the forum have a connection?

[Anonymous]

@Tootsie: Yeah, but if I don't work the ridiculous hours, they fire me. So not like I have a choice. I can't work 40 hours a week and keep my job at the big 4.

[Marivy22]

I am 31, and wondering if I am too old for a Big 4 too….

My main concern is that family comes first to me, so I am worried about the “long hours” and how long the season last, how often are the long hours, etc…..

I have been looking at indeed.com and found some good posts in my area- Fort Lauderdale, FL (PWC and RSM)…I am not applying to any job until I pass the 4th exam next window (hopefully), but still wondering and playing with the idea in my head…

What should I do: try for a big 4 or stay in the corporate environment??? Just thinking about it is hard enough…. I am comfortable with the corporate environment and I know that after completing this process I can apply to Controllers or Finance Managers positions. I have the experience just missing the CPA, but both positions will require long hours too.

Oh well, I am lost… LOL

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Tootsie]

@Marivy22, try working at a big 4 and see if you like it. About the hours, it all depends on your team (if you're in audit). I think the tax folks work long hours year around. I have been fortunate to be on a few good teams that work good hours. Besides busy season, nobody should be working more than 8/9 hours per week. Some work long hours all the time probably because they're either workaholics or have no family/anyone to go home to. I have survived for about 7 months. Hoping I will stay longer because I like what I'm doing, but if I am told to work long hours outside of busy season, I may have to quit. I've thought about going to corporate in the future. Just think – when we have our licenses, we will have many doors open for us.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

How do I go about networking, though? Recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Reactivating this thread…I'm starting a second career after 20-years in high-tech. It took me a few years to complete all the academic requirements at University of California Extensions (BA from UCSC (not accounting) and Certificate in Business Adminstration and Accounting (with honors) from UCSC Ext.).

I reviewed my situation with Career Center Director (who happen to be a Recruiting Director from Ernst and Young). He recommended that I pass the CPA exams first and then apply to the “firms”. It would put me in a better position to offset any issues of being “older”. He said it was unusual…less than 1% every other year….!

For those that have applied and gotten positions at Big 4….Can you describe the process and what is your experience working with people 20-years older or younger than you….? Any issues that you are aware of regarding age?

I have no children…just dogs…., no debt except my house which is almost paid off, and my parents have passed…I have completed 3 estates (including managing and selling of properties) and so my personal affairs you can say are in order. I am in great health and still manage and play on a coed soccer team….with people 20-years younger……

[whitelilies04]

If that is what the recruiter recommended you do then that is the route I would take. I started with one f the big 4 at 29, married with 2 young chidden. I thought I would be the oldest by far in the office at my level. There were actually 2 people in my start class in their 30s. And most were 25ish. One of my classmates is mid-50s and was hired at an tapestry level with Deloitte. I think age was an issue years ago, but now they want people who are committed to the job, regardless of age. I am not done with the exam, and that usually isn't a requirement to start or be hired, though it could never hurt you. Hope that helps!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[Anonymous]

@whitelilies04…what does “hired at a tapestry level with Deloitte” mean..somewhere in the matrix hierarchy??

[ti807910]

Just to chime in, it might really depend on your local office. My starting class at a Big 4 had about 50 or so people. Almost 100% of the class was between the age of 22-26 and had their masters. I can think of only one exception, a girl that was 22 who was a waitress at a golf club that the partner frequented. She only had her bachelors in accounting.

I think part of the reason they want the younger crowd is because most of us don't have kids and most of them aren't married. They can work us like dogs and we don't have to leave early to get to our families. Actually, I was surprised how many of them still lived at home with their parents too. I agree with whitelillies, they are expecting you to put the job before everything and want committed people.

FAR: 72, 68, 73, 78 (passed)
REG: 61, 70, 73, 63, 78 (passed)
AUD: 65, 84 (passed)
BEC: 89 (passed)

NASBA gave Doby a passing score, Doby is freeee!!

[whitelilies04]

Yikes! That was an autocorrect mistake I missed. My classmate was hired at an entry level. As a entry level auditor. Sorry about that!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[jmp223]

I started at a Big 4 firm when I was 31, and to be honest it is tough. I came from a small local firm, so that probably hurt my transition more than it helped. I also had my first child about 2 months into my start there. The hours are tough, especially since I want to be home with my wife and baby more. From January through May (with a little break in there) was working consistently 10-14 hour days. It has lightened up a bit now, but im already dreading this up coming January. I'm sticking around to get my cpa, and will probably leave shortly after that because of the work life balance.

[Anonymous]

Not really, “old”, but definitely older at 29. Main difference I see is that where I'm at in my life (married, wanting to spend time with my family, etc.) is not necessarily in line where my peers are at (single, less family life, partying).

So I spend less time going to happy hours all the time and meeting up outside of work than I probably would have at 23 or 24.

But I think it's helpful to be a bit older. You're less rash, entitled, and probably a bit more professional. Honestly though, sometimes I see my outside work commitments taking away time from developing my career. However, that's a choice I've made for myself.

Just my .02

[Anonymous]

Any other success stories of those that are “older” than 30 and working at Big 4 with a successful career?

Anyone start at Big 4 as a “second career”?

What benefits and challenges did you find convincing Big 4 to hire you and why?

Did you have a specialty in mind when you when to the Big 4?

Any other tidbits you wish to share about being older and working at Big 4?

Now that you worked at a Big 4, would you reconsider and instead work at Regional Firm and why or why not?

Do Big 4 have an age cut-off? Rumor has it that they do more than Regionals?

[I just love this]

I'm 25 and about to start Big 4, I have 2 bachelor degrees so that is the main reason why. So I would consider myself a little older than average, but in my intern class I was surprised to see several my age or older.

But back to the focus of the question, I have 3 friends to my quick recollection from my accounting program that started Big 4 that were 30-32 years old. After initial interviewing/visiting offices they were pursued heavily by the firms. Part of the reason for this is because we come from a top national undergraduate accounting program and they all had great experience (leadership, technical) prior to returning to finish their degree. However, it is interesting to observe that they all left the Big4 before they hit their 1-year mark, 2 of the 3 even left before their 7-month mark! They did leave for great offers too- although somewhat non-traditional accounting exit roles.

Based on my understanding, the reason for their early departure is basically because it feels really weird to have seniors older than you. If I was in their position, I would start at a Big 4 but would be quick to scout out offers, I think the offers would open up quicker due to prior experience. For example, @clbrown23 based on your comment of years of tech experience, if you get a Big 4 logo on your resume, I assume you could quite easily get great offers within a relatively short amount of time.

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[whitelilies04]

Any other success stories of those that are “older” than 30 and working at Big 4 with a successful career?

I know I already answered, but me :).

Anyone start at Big 4 as a “second career”?

Yes, I was a high school teacher and left teaching to become an accountant. I was recruiting from my accounting degree program to one of the big 4.

What benefits and challenges did you find convincing Big 4 to hire you and why?

I was worried that since I was a mom of 2 and older than most of the candidates coming out of school that they would be reluctant to hire me. I'm outgoing and I love to teach. Since teaming and teaching is such a large part of my job now, I just played to my skill set and that is what helped me land the job.

Did you have a specialty in mind when you when to the Big 4?

Yes, I knew I wanted to be in tax services and that is where I am currently.

Any other tidbits you wish to share about being older and working at Big 4?

It may be different in audit, but a lot of my peers are “older” (late 20s-early 30s) because they have masters in tax or a law degree of some kind. If you take age of the table as an issue, then it won't be an issue. One of my closest friends at work is 23. Would we hang out outside of work? Probably not, but we connect well professionally and work well together. I'm 7yrs his senior. It's just not an issue at all for me.

Now that you worked at a Big 4, would you reconsider and instead work at Regional Firm and why or why not?

I would highly recommend big 4. I love my job. It challenges me and I'm constantly learning. I can't imagine going to a regional firm at this stage of the game (I'm being promoted to senior this Oct.) but I'm not opposed to it at some point. I'm definitely glad I started w/ a big 4 though. I feel like the world is my oyster and that I can basically go anywhere from my firm.

Do Big 4 have an age cut-off? Rumor has it that they do more than Regionals?

I started at age 29, one of my colleagues from school started w/ a big 4 in her early 50s. I don't know of any cutoff and it doesn't look like there is one from my perspective. But I'm just 1 tax accountant at one of the big 4.

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[Author]

Replies