Hello all. Just wondering how common it is, or how plausible it is, for someone coming out of the big 4, likely in audit, to eventually obtain an executive/upper level position at an F500 after the jump to industry. Also, would Big 4 advisory have a better chance at this?
I'm a junior accounting major, and have recently been regretting the fact that I wasn't knowledgeable about the whole concept of target schools for consulting/IB and the like before I applied for colleges. I had grades that at least would've been competitive for a target school, but instead I went to a florida university to save costs. I'm trying to see now where my options stand.
Thanks in advance, --Art Vandelay, Importer/Exporter
An overwhelming majority Directors of Finance in my company (a blue chip tech firm) started their careers in Big 4 before moving into industry. While it is unlikely that you will become an executive coming from ANY industry (just a numbers thing), Big 4 is a good place to start.
Executive probably wasn't the right word. I more or less something like you said, director of finance or something like that. I just wasn't sure if it was a rare thing for a former Big 4 auditor to get a cushy, 100-200k job in industry, or if such a thing is hard to come by, assuming the individual is a hard worker/has a bit of luck, etc. Thanks for the info.
--Art Vandelay
100-200k absolutely no problem coming form Big 4. getting over that $200k mark is no guarantee, but Big 4 guys have an advantage people who entered the industy outright.
you will be fine.
Nice username.
Finally I come across a fellow Seinfeld fan here!
--Art Vandelay
If you can survive Big 4 long enough, it is a virtual guarantee that you will have the option to land an executive position. Expect a minimum of 7 years to land an executive spot (VP finance/CFO) at a small company. An F500 spot will require you to stick around until you make senior manager (about 10 years), and even then you still won't be quite at the C suite. Typically, though, people will leave before making senior manager to take a director of financial reporting/controller type role.
Of course, the numbers will change based the kind of experience you get while at Big 4, and the kind of experience you get will change based on your performance.
You should be able to hit the $100K mark (in Pittsburgh $) with 7 years of Big 4 experience. I know many ex-Big 4 who make well over $200K.
This response is a bit optimistic. A senior manager at Big 4 won't even sniff a C suite at a F500. They wouldn't even make VP and possibly not even Director.
The question was specifically about making $100-200k at a F500.
Making $100k should be attainable. Making $200k is definitely not "virtually guaranteed", but it is possible.
The easiest way to lock in $100k is make Manager at Big 4 and then take a Mgr role at F500. "Easiest" way to get closer to $200k is make Director (or possibly very experienced Sr. Mgr) at Big 4 and transfer to F500 at the Director level. However, I wouldn't necessarily choose the easiest path to Director because you're MUCH more likely to get pigeon-holed into more boring (my opinion) accounting roles.
You mentioned being an executive. Some people define executive as C-suite only. That is extremely rare regardless of where you started. Some define VPs as executives. VP is possible, but tough to make.
I speak from experience - I'm a CPA that started at Big 4 and currently a F500 manager.
I agree with everything in your post. I was referring to minimums, and defining executive in a broader sense (i.e. directors too as opposed to only C suite). Results will vary also based on company size and other factors. Results might also vary by geographic location - I'm reporting what I see, but it might be much tougher in other areas - my city does have a disproportiately large number of F1000 companies for its size.
Hi, Im due to start at big 4 audit next year in the UK, if my eventual goal is to attain a top treasury role like MS, Google etc, would you say im better of leaving as soon as i qualify for a treasury position? Or would it be better to work in FP&A for some broader exp and move across later on?
Never happens...
I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but from the other responses, I'm guessing you are lol
--Art Vandelay
I've posting two new forum topics on WSO since joining not too long ago, and I've gotten great responses on both, even though they're accounting related, which from what I understand is sometimes looked down upon. Thanks for the info! I'm not used to such quick and informative responses, compared to the business section on college confidential lol.
Thanks again,
--Art Vandelay
What de lay industries?
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