Hi - I am contemplating going into Big-4 now, but after reading some of above posts I'm not sure if it's a good idea. I have 4 years of experience in Healthcare Corporate Finance at a large Health System, a BSBA in Finance, an MBA, & I'm currently acquring the required courses to sit for the CPA exam. I thought I would switch over to Big-4 to get a stronger Accounting foundation & I feel that Big-4 experience has become a must for Finance executive positions, something I would like to do one day.

What's so bad about Big-4? Any specifics, other than what was mentioned above?

CPAMBA:

There are pro's and there are con's to working Big 4. I'll try to do justice to both.

The Pros:

1.) You do learn a lot. Since I am quitting soon, I've done a lot of reflecting and realized just how much I have learned. It's pretty crazy actually.

2.) You're pushed to work on so many skills other than accounting. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this would be the case/was ready to handle this, and I have only just begun to challenge myself and see the reward of growth in the 'softer skills' of life through the firm.

3.) If you're lucky, you have the opportunity to travel. I've travelled a redunkdiddy amount, and it's been awesome.

4.) It looks good on resumes, or so I am told.  

Now the cons:

1.) Even outside of busy season, it is very hard to maintain a good work/life balance. The real problem is, you'll think you'll be fine once the year end audits blow over, but something always comes up. They'll put you on public company quarter work, out of town travel, odd ball year ends, or something else that's gay. Your schedule is never set, which makes things difficult in enjoying the finer things in life.

2.) It's so annoyingly cut throat. We're freaking accountants. Not brain surgeons here. The culture is never relaxed at the Big 4. People are always trying to outdo one another, and stay later. The problem is, with everyone doing that, nobody sticks out. It's just a constant cycle of pettiness, greed, and long hours. In addition, peeps here take their work so seriously. I mean, it's great to take pride in what you do, but not to this extent. And this mindset that most people have towards their work -- and how serious they take it, spills into how they act towards one another, and most importantly, how they treat their inferiors. Entitledness and hierarchy is the name of the game here. It really is disgusting to see just how fast 26 year olds can let the little power of being a senior get to their heads.

3. What we do. The work that is actually done. It's really pointless. Ok, so I found one adjustment during busy season. Whoopdy doo. Then, when you're all done with all your work, and the client files, you know what happens to your work? Nothing at all. It will never be looked at again. Except of course when someone copies and pastes it into their work next year.

4. I'm a CPA with a Master's. That's pretty good. But so is everyone else at the firm. I don't feel appreciated one bit.

5. If I go to Cali, $ clearly doesn't matter to me, but the Big 4 pay among the lowest for your skill level.

I could go on and on with more items, but those are the highlights. I guess if you put over one year in with the firm (the amount of time you need to become a CPA) you need  to ask yourself why you are doing it. Honestly, if you're ok with surrendering your 20's to a public accounting firm that could care less about you, then more power to ya. The wallet of your 32 year old self will be thanking you. But, if you want to live in your 20's, and you aspire to someday not have to introduce yourself as 'John Doe, Accountant,' then you really need to consider if public accounting is the right choice for you.

I'm a mere 10 days away from slapping them with the two weeks notice. I hope I have courage to do it when that day arrives!

My recommendation to you is to get into Corporate Finance. Since you already have 1-2 years of experience with the Big-4, I don't really think that you necessarily need to stick around there any longer. But I also don't think that it's a good idea to completey get out of the professional workforce.

It sounds to me that a good quality lifestyle (work / life balance) is what you are looking for in a career and I think Corporate Finance offers that. You will work 8-5, and will help managers with the financial aspect of leading their business prosper. The compensation probably isn't that great compared to Big-4 (well, you can probably tell me if it is or not). An entry level analyst makes from about 45-55, a senior analyst will make 55-65, and a Finance manager will make about from 65-100K. And then if you have talent to can go on to become an executive make mid 100s, and even more if you become a CFO. You probably won't learn as much about Accounting but you will definitely learn much more about financial managment, planning, & analysis.

Good luck on your decision, but make sure that it isn't a quick one, because realize it or not, every decision counts in your life!!!