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Topic: Should I switch to a Big-4? Plz Advice! (

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CPAMBA
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Joined: 31 Dec 2010
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Posted: 18 Jan 2012 at 13:46 \| IP Logged

Hi,

I need advice from everyone, please!

I have 4 years of experience in Healthcare Finance, doing budgets, forecasting, modeling, capital decision support, and other projects at a large health system. However, I am contemplating whether I should switch jobs to a Big 4 audit position or not? I have my undergrad in Finance, an MBA, and I am currently working on fullfilling the CPA requiremnts to sit for the test. I am currently at the coordinator level at the health system, with my next move possibly into a Finance / Budget manager role either at this same company or a differnt one.

My ultimate goal would be to become a CFO / Finance Director one day, but I am afraid lacking the public accounting experience from one of the large firms might hinder my chances of stepping into one of those roles. It seems to me that big-4 audit experience has become an absolute requirement for those job types, but I could be wrong.

So, do you think I should make a switch now to a Big-4 firm as an Auditor at the age of 26 or should I just continue what I'm doing, and hope for the best?

I appreciate your feedback.

WSPcpa
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Joined: 29 Jun 2011
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Posts: 73

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 at 15:43 \| IP Logged

It's tough to say but you would likely have to go back to
the entry level within the big 4 since you don't
necessarily have the audit/tax experience.

I wouldn't say big 4 acct is required for those
positions. CFO will likely require the CPA, but the
finance director gig would probably favor the MBA. I
would try to leverage the forecasting, modeling, capital
decision support into a more highly regarded finance
position. I can't really speak for this field but check
wallstreetoasis.com and see if you can get some
direction. If you could get a position at an investment
bank, private equity firm (very unlikely) or maybe even
try to get into a consulting position.

Any of those 3 positions would put you in better shape
for the CFO/Fin director than starting as a 1st year
auditor. IMO most people are trying to go from
accounting to finance and not the other way around.

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cpanightmare
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Posted: 28 Feb 2012 at 20:03 \| IP Logged

What are your current hours/lifestyle like?
Big 4 auditing experience is rough. You work ALL the time and there's no guarantee that you'll land a CFO position at the end of it.

If you don't have to do big 4, don't!

WSPcpa
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Posted: 29 Feb 2012 at 21:57 \| IP Logged

No, do big 4 if you can. It will be worth it. There are no
guarantees in life and I don't think anyone is honestly
expecting to have a CFO position handed to them.

Will there be MORE opportunities: Yes.

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If it were easy, everyone would do it
It's the hard that makes it great

CPAMBA
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Posted: 01 Mar 2012 at 09:02 \| IP Logged

So what kind of jobs do you think I will be able to get after 5 years of Corporate Finance experience, and say 2-3 yrs of Public Accounting experience at a Big-4?

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