creditfigaro wrote: If anyone is doing this for money, remember that entrepreneurship is the surest way to the riches. Even if you are getting 250K salary, you aren't even close to the top. Going into business for yourself for 5-10 years and being somewhat successful will result in a business you can sell for millions and retire comfortably.

If you think working in public accounting is hard, then forget about running your own business. The stress is insane. I'm the fear of bankrupcy, lawsuits, difficult customers is year round, not just "busy season".  

I agree the upside is limitless, but the chance of being a mutimillionare is a coin flip at best.

The Big 4 won't necessarily give you the best shot at making big $$, just the easiest shot.

Quote: There really is no explanation for this fact, other than that the market (employers) places a great deal of value on Big 4 experience, and are willing to pay higher salaries to get it. Do you really learn more working at a Big 4 firm as compared to a smaller/regional firm, idk, but for some reason the perception is that ex-big 4 accountants are better workers than those coming from different backgrounds. Going back to the school reference, some employers only hire grads of big name private schools because perception is that those people are more qualified, smarter, etc. truth is, the majority of rich people out there did not go to an ivy league school.

What you just described can be best summed up in one word: ELITISM. 

The Big 4 and Ivy League educations only carry the illusion of being more qualified and smarter.  What you actually bring to the table in substance will determined if you're qualified and/or smart, regardless of where you work or attend school.

Quote: imo, if you can get into the big 4 after college, you would be dumb not to go, but if you can't get in, it's not the end of your career.

I guess I would have to be one of those dumb ones, because I was recruited by KPMG after I graduated, and PWC a few years later.  While I admit I liked the idea of working for a prestigious firm, I didn't pursue it because of its corporate culture, working environment, and working with too many Big 4 staff who came off as total douchebags turned me off from making that a serious career move.  I have a entrepreneurial spirit by nature, and the Big 4 was not conducive to that at all.

creditfigaro wrote: If anyone is doing this for money, remember that entrepreneurship is the surest way to the riches. Even if you are getting 250K salary, you aren't even close to the top. Going into business for yourself for 5-10 years and being somewhat successful will result in a business you can sell for millions and retire comfortably.

(at bolded) That is real talk right there!

I'm not looking to be "big ballin'" as an entrepreneur.  I would be satisfied being modestly affluent.  In the long term, I am looking to have a legacy I can leave to my children once I pass away.  My business would be one of those legacies.