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clips2007
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| Posted: 11 Nov 2008 at 02:33 | IP Logged
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I just notice the people at the big 4,especially in tax, are not the best and smartest people. Hell, most of them are not accounting majors and take 9 or 10 attempts to pass the CPA exam (some of them stop trying and quit). They pick people that they like and not the smartest or the hardest working. Even if you get your CPA, masters and network your ass off your may hit a wall where some cute girl with a 3.1 gpa who gets Cs in intermediate accounting will get the big 4 job over you. It's happening to me right now. It could be the economy, but I know for a fact that other professions such as engineering, investment banking, medicine and even law will never let personality and good looks make up for the lack of skill and hard work. I'm not bad looking or lacking personality either. My advice for getting into the Big after you miss your shot is to get into a top 5 accounting masters program like USC, UT or BYU and you will almost guarantee yourself a big four job;however, some state school kid will laugh at you for making a $50000 investment that will not pay as much if you had just gone to a small firm and invest $50000 somewhere or wait a couple years then go to big 4 as a manager. But, I am in SOcal and in the middle of the mortgage mess, so your situation might be different.
Edited by clips2007 on 11 Nov 2008 at 03:56
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Dahlia1
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| Posted: 11 Nov 2008 at 02:49 | IP Logged
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Yeah, I agree. Of course, some people might disagree but we have a freedom of speech here. I went to lunch with 3 people from Moss Adams during office visit. So 2 girls from tax and 1 guy from audit. Since I got rejected, I care less right now. All 3 people did not even take CPA exam. I am almost done. May be they did not feel comfortable. It is only my guess. I have read here that CPA exam is given and it does not matter for the potential employer. I would not say that CPA exam is so easy and given. In any case, I always had a good luck with small owner operated companies and my hard work and talents were recognized. So I will go with the small firm for now. At least, I will not have to play any games and try to make management to like me. There will be no management and no competitors to get promoted or stub a knife in my back. I will report directly to the owner and this work environment suits me the best.
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clips2007
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| Posted: 11 Nov 2008 at 04:05 | IP Logged
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The CPA exam is not a given; especially if you try to do it while working at Big 4 or similar firms. If you pass it on the first try while working full time at a big firm, then you are certainly deserving of Big 4. I met a manager at one of the Big 4 who could not pass the exam and decided that it was easier to go for the EA exam. I met a senior manager who never tried taking the exam. My point is the CPA exam is not a given nor is it needed to work at the Big 4. And yes, they will hold it against you if you pass it seeing it is a threat to them.
Edited by clips2007 on 11 Nov 2008 at 04:06
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qtbrye
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| Posted: 11 Nov 2008 at 07:51 | IP Logged
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Can you be promoted to manager at Big4 without being a CPA? I had previously thought that it's one of the requirements.
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shinggy
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| Posted: 11 Nov 2008 at 10:36 | IP Logged
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you can't never be a manager without being a CPA in KPxx
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Topic: Need advices to go to big4
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