BIG 4 AUDIT, TAX, OR CONSULTING?

Hi all,

I'm an undergrad hoping to land a big 4 internship for this upcoming winter. My dilemma is that I can't decide between tax or audit. Ultimately my goal is to get into consulting at KPMG however I'm not from a target school therefore the chances are not in my favor. Prior to just recently when I began reevaluating my career goals, I was set on tax solely because I was more familiar with the topic, knew how to research it, and was overall more comfortable with it. However, I cannot see myself being completely satisfied limiting myself to TAX and not exploring other opportunities. I would love to get into consulting as I see it as the most exciting service area above audit and tax, but I figure since it's difficult to get into advisory from the start, perhaps my best option would be to start out in audit and try to transition into consulting.

My questions are...

What should be my deciding factors as to which service area to pursue?

Will audit give me an upper hand for breaking into consulting and what other exit opps are out there from audit (of course I'm aware of transitioning to private, etc.)

Is tax accounting really a dying field in our era of emerging tech? I keep hearing that all these new tax software programs will be faster and easier than going to an actual tax professional.

I would appreciate any insight into all three service areas and the various opportunities that emerge from attaining big 4 experience.

Thanks in advance!

 

Moving from audit to TAS isn't easy but isn't like getting into MBB either. I would say if no boutique consulting/IB options pop up, go to audit, kick ass there, and then request a move internally to TAS, or, if they refuse, go to another Big 4's practice in advisory. From there, you might see more of what you want. it's a round-about way of doing things, but I think audit will at least leave the door open while tax will be a much harder sell.

 
Best Response
Lester Freamon:

Moving from audit to TAS isn't easy but isn't like getting into MBB either. I would say if no boutique consulting/IB options pop up, go to audit, kick ass there, and then request a move internally to TAS, or, if they refuse, go to another Big 4's practice in advisory. From there, you might see more of what you want. it's a round-about way of doing things, but I think audit will at least leave the door open while tax will be a much harder sell.

Internal moves to TAS/CF are quite common, at least in my firm. Where I am advisory doesn't recruit too many grads and instead the most junior people in their team are usually those who have done a few years in audit as a starter.
 

Excepturi non qui omnis sequi corporis. Ex eveniet expedita sunt esse tempore quaerat et. Debitis voluptatum laboriosam adipisci aut sed.

Quasi ea itaque neque quidem. Est blanditiis quas voluptas sed molestiae sint temporibus. Quaerat minus officiis debitis eos. Incidunt repellendus ut qui cum totam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”