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skyhawk
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Joined: 28 Feb 2009
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Posts: 22
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| Posted: 28 Feb 2009 at 19:58 | IP Logged
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Hello all,
My question is regarding the difficulty of joining a Big 4 firm as a senior associate. Here is some background: I originally planned on going the finance track, and had various internships/clubs geared toward this (i.e. spent my last summer on a trading desk of a not-too-stable bank.) I went through fall recruitment with a finance mindset, and neglected to apply to the Big 4 for audit/tax consideration. Towards the end of recruitment, I realized that finance was very unlikely, and began applying to some mid size accounting firms. In the end I was fortunate enough to obtain a position at a top 20 accounting firm. I have no qualms about the longer hours of a Big 4, and would like to do whatever is best for my career progression. Therefore I ask you the following:
How difficult is it joining a Big4 at the associate (second year) or senior associate level (Audit or Tax)?
How would my career be hindered if I were to stay at my current firm?
What kind of exit opportunities does a Big 4 firm provide that my current firm cannot?
Thank you all for reading my jumbled post, I appreciate any and all input.
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gmeyers
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Joined: 16 Jun 2008
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| Posted: 01 Mar 2009 at 03:14 | IP Logged
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Do you have a strong enough background in either tax or audit to run a
project? It is not terribly hard to get recruited in at a higher level if you have
the skill set to complete the work.
__________________
Financial - Passed(7/07)
Regulation - Passed (11/07)
Audit - Passed 8/08)
Business - Passed (11/08)
CA Ethics - Passed
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007CPA
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| Posted: 01 Mar 2009 at 12:48 | IP Logged
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From what I have heard, non-Big4 and Big4 experience
does not have a 1 to 1 relationship. To get hired at the
senior associate level at the Big4, your non-Big4
experience would need to be more years than if you
worked at Big4 the whole time so it would have to be
more than 2-3 years, I don't know how much more. This
does make sense logically too, your first Big4 client
will probably be at least 2 to 10 times larger than your
largest client at a top 20 firm.
Again, this is just what I have heard but good luck to
ya.
__________________
Enjoying Freshman life at the Big 4 University!
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REG -10/31/2009 (Passed!)
BEC - 11/28/09
AUD - 1/4/09
FAR - Tentative 05/10
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USCWolverine
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| Posted: 05 Mar 2009 at 03:22 | IP Logged
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Big 4s almost never hire outside help for experienced audit positions. They are more concerned about who they are going to lay-off next. Your best bet is to apply to the least desirable Big 4 office...maybe North Dakota...if there is one. I worked at a Big 4 firm in LA and never once encountered someone that worked at a smaller firm previously.
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skyhawk
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| Posted: 06 Mar 2009 at 12:04 | IP Logged
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Wow, I did not realize it was that difficult to transfer into the Big 4, as in my school those internship positions were practically given away (which lead to FT offers 99% of the time). Thanks for the advice all, I will very likely be at my current firm (hopefully) for a long time.
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Topic: Joining Big 4 as Senior Associate
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