CPAnet Forum: Big 4 vs Next Tier

Active Topics

Memberlist

Help

Big 4 Talk
CPAnet Forum : Big 4 Talk

Topic: Big 4 vs Next Tier (

Topic Closed)

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Chasingthedream
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21

Posted: 22 Aug 2010 at 01:10 \| IP Logged

Just wanted to hear more discussion on the pros and cons of the Big 4 vs Next Tier(BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM McGladrey).

Some background on me, I am currently in school and have a 3.97 GPA at a school that is heavily recruited by all firms. I would consider myself lucky to get an interview, let alone a job offer, from any of these firms, especially in an economy like this. All of the Big 4 and national firms I listed are located in the city that I am currently in but I would move anywhere if it meant a job offer, I am just anxious to get to work.

I understand that at any of these places you will work long hours. I'm not too worried about that. I enjoy working for the most part, and have experience working 14 hour days in blue collar work. I have attended some leadership recruiting events that these firms put on and currently in the stage of trying to narrow down what firms I would be most interested in moving forward with internships and potentially a job.

With all that said, right now I feel the most comfortable with one of the "Next Tier" firms. I am really buying into the philosophy that it would be practical to get exposure to more clients at an earlier stage. I also feel very comfortable with the people in the office at this firm. Across the country, I had a friend who enjoyed his internship experience with this firm and eventually accepted their job offer. With all that said there is a part of me that feels that I would be cheating myself if I didnt give the Big 4 a harder look. Basically what Im trying to find out is would I be limiting myself professionally if I didn't give my best shot to be hired by a big 4 firm?

Also is there a good website to get good information on what clients each firm has by office? Or just office news in general? It sounds like what firm is better really depends on where you are in the country, but I have a hard time trying to find local news on the firms.

Thanks for any input!

Edit: When I say I feel I might be cheating myself if I dont look at the Big 4 I dont mean to dog the other firms. I was really impressed at the professionalism that the "next tier" displayed and I really trust that they would develop their associates to the best of their ability and that's why Im interested in them. It's just hard to ignore all the talk about the Big 4 setting you up for life.

Search for other posts by Chasingthedream

krzperfo
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 22 Aug 2010 at 11:14 \| IP Logged

Are you going for tax or audit?

Chasingthedream
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21

Posted: 22 Aug 2010 at 11:21 \| IP Logged

Audit

NathanB
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43

Posted: 22 Aug 2010 at 16:23 \| IP Logged

I think it really depends on what you want to do with your life. Of course, Big 4 is the best to get on board with if you're interested in working with big SEC clients. I hear a lot of mixed reviews though. While working for a Big 4 looks good on your resume, it may not be your fit. I would go with who you feel most comfortable with and where you feel you would enjoy working with, because nothing is worse than getting hired on with a company that you end up not liking. That's what recruiters mainly look for in a candidate. Your GPA may be stellar and you may have done a lot of extracurricular activities, but you must be able to express yourself to these firms why you think you would like to work in public accounting and for their firm.

In our BAP chapter, we hold something every semester called the Mid-Market Panel, which gives some really good insight on what the advantages of working for a mid-sized CPA firm is (i.e. Berman Hopkins) compared to the Big 4, particularly in the areas of work-life balance, promotions, and office environment.

I don't know of any website that lists clients of particular accounting firms by office. I seriously doubt one exists though because it's against the law and against professional conduct to display that sort of information, even for clients as big as Subway or Coca-Cola. As for specific office news, usually that sort of thing is posted on an intranet and not available to the public.

__________________
REG - 5/21/10 - 82
BEC - 7/2/10 - 77
FAR - 8/14/10 - 79
AUD - 8/31/10 - 77

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum