wannabeCPA wrote:
1. So I'm just curious, for all of you that work as accountants at the Big 4 and whatnot, how do you like your jobs? What do you like and dislike about it and do you feel like you are creating value from your work, or are you just sticking it out so that you can move on to something more exciting in Industry?
2. What are the top MS Accounting programs in terms of placement into transaction advisory programs? Eventually, I'd like to work in the restructuring group at a public accounting firm, which is under TAS/TS, so what schools place the best into these programs?
3. Finally, I was wondering how much ECs matter, or if admission into these MAcc programs are mostly just GPA and GMAT?
thanks
1) From my previous life at Big 4, most people feel that they are over-worked and under-paid. Many do wait until they add "Senior" or "Manager" title next to their name so they can just leave the firm as soon as they get promoted. A lot of people find that life outside Big 4 provides them shorter hours (in terms of work) and better pay, after leaving the firm.
I think it's a great place to work right out of college because it will train you very well. You will improve your communication skills through one on one interviews with clients. You will improve technical skills through on the job training and other additional training. You will be exposed to a lot of work. You will also learn how not to behave in a workplace because chances are, you will have to work for certain partners and managers who behave in ways that will make your life miserable.
But like in economics where you learn the upside down U curve (marginal benefit curve) .....at some point, it may be beneficial for you to leave the firm to grow as a person and as a professional.
2) I started out in Tax Consulting group of a transaction advisory business, specializing in real estate investment deals and other M&A deals (during that mid 2000 real estate boom period). Then I moved to other areas of the firm.
There's really 2 ways to get into advisory business.
They tend to hire directly into one of the advisory groups from top schools. That's why people want to get into schools like U of Texas - Austin because Big 4 hires students for various areas including the advisory business.
However, if you get hired into audit or regular tax (tax is more difficult to move out of), you can also request to move internally to the advisory group. Usually, they accommodate your request if you are considered a "valuable" asset to the firm. They offer this when you find another job offer and notify them that you are leaving. Or, you can tell HR that you are not happy and want to move to another area of the firm. If there's a need in that area (advisory for example), they may accommodate you but you may have to work in a hybrid role - meaning you may have to work in current role and new role, depending on the need of the firm.
3) Admission into top schools? Think like you are applying to law school or med school. GPA, GMAT, extra curricular kinda matters but mostly GMAT and GPA.
For Big 4 recruiting, GPA is probably the most important (SAt or GMAt for some advisory roles), and maybe internship experience on the resume.
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09 Aug 2010, 20:21
