Comments on: Intern’s Corner: The “Big Four” Push http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/uncategorized/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/ Turning the profession on its head. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:29:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Surabhi http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/uncategorized/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/comment-page-1/#comment-934 Surabhi Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:30:16 +0000 http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/2008/02/15/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/#comment-934 after working in a big4 as a staff accountant (intern) i completely agree with the writer. I have lived each of these situations. As now when i am planning to take transfer i want to thank the writer for providing me with some of the most valuable points/reasons to provide to my senior for leaving a bg4. thank you.. after working in a big4 as a staff accountant (intern) i completely agree with the writer. I have lived each of these situations. As now when i am planning to take transfer i want to thank the writer for providing me with some of the most valuable points/reasons to provide to my senior for leaving a bg4. thank you..

]]> By: Logan http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/uncategorized/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Logan Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:12:55 +0000 http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/2008/02/15/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/#comment-265 I'm a little late (or maybe a lot late) here, but I followed Shane over from his blog and just read this. I'm a senior accounting major that is also in BAP and receiving constant encouragement to go Big 4 (or at least one of a few big regional firms). I'm a convert from computer science that still has a CS minor and I'm not 100% sure that I even want to get my CPA and jump into public accounting. I'm currently looking at several smaller non-CPA financial services firms that deal with tax software as well as a few private sector corporations. However, when I tell my advisor/professors/fellow students this, I get looks of sympathy and amazement. It appears they think the Big 4 the only feasible option, and that I'm doomed. I feel that some of the "Big 4 or bust" attitude can be attributed to the Big 4's attempt to curtail the private sector's increased success in college recruiting. At different career fairs and through visiting with various recruiters, it seems like the Big 4 recognizes this issue, althought they do their best not to show it. In addition, many of my fellow students are very impressionable and the Big 4 definitely have the opportunities to instill this attitude into their minds, whether through career fairs or presentations in BAP and such. This carries over into the competition between the Big 4 and smaller CPA firms as well. I'm rather saddened that this is the case, as there are so many positions/careers that accounting majors can pursure, with only a handful of them at a Big 4 firm. The trend in the business world of maintaining a work/life balance and taking care of employees in ways other than straight monetary compensation hasn't hit the Big 4 quite yet, and until it does I'm not so sure the "broad experience and access to resources" they can offer is worth it for a recent graduate. I’m a little late (or maybe a lot late) here, but I followed Shane over from his blog and just read this. I’m a senior accounting major that is also in BAP and receiving constant encouragement to go Big 4 (or at least one of a few big regional firms). I’m a convert from computer science that still has a CS minor and I’m not 100% sure that I even want to get my CPA and jump into public accounting. I’m currently looking at several smaller non-CPA financial services firms that deal with tax software as well as a few private sector corporations. However, when I tell my advisor/professors/fellow students this, I get looks of sympathy and amazement. It appears they think the Big 4 the only feasible option, and that I’m doomed.

I feel that some of the “Big 4 or bust” attitude can be attributed to the Big 4′s attempt to curtail the private sector’s increased success in college recruiting. At different career fairs and through visiting with various recruiters, it seems like the Big 4 recognizes this issue, althought they do their best not to show it. In addition, many of my fellow students are very impressionable and the Big 4 definitely have the opportunities to instill this attitude into their minds, whether through career fairs or presentations in BAP and such. This carries over into the competition between the Big 4 and smaller CPA firms as well.

I’m rather saddened that this is the case, as there are so many positions/careers that accounting majors can pursure, with only a handful of them at a Big 4 firm. The trend in the business world of maintaining a work/life balance and taking care of employees in ways other than straight monetary compensation hasn’t hit the Big 4 quite yet, and until it does I’m not so sure the “broad experience and access to resources” they can offer is worth it for a recent graduate.

]]> By: Shane http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/uncategorized/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Shane Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:41:35 +0000 http://www.markbaileyco.com/blog/2008/02/15/interns-corner-the-big-four-push/#comment-86 Being a recent graduate and BAP member, I remember these pushes from all of the University professors. I honestly think that most of them don't know much about the firms outside of the Big Four, and the Big Four is probably the most dominant influence in placement for graduating accountants (as far as the university is concerned). Even at smaller firms, being driven by the billable hour produces the same work/work balance mentality. The only firms that I have heard or read about that actually have balance are those that have changed their business model to value based services. Being a recent graduate and BAP member, I remember these pushes from all of the University professors. I honestly think that most of them don’t know much about the firms outside of the Big Four, and the Big Four is probably the most dominant influence in placement for graduating accountants (as far as the university is concerned).

Even at smaller firms, being driven by the billable hour produces the same work/work balance mentality. The only firms that I have heard or read about that actually have balance are those that have changed their business model to value based services.

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