What to do with my degree...

Hello All,

I am currently a student in the MAcc program at a Big Ten School. I am also going to receive my BS in Finance. I already know that I have a job offer from PwC at my disposal if I so wish to pursue a career in the Big 4 post graduation. However my only gripe is that I feel that working at a Big 4 firm might be settling. I consistently see the phrase "work like a banker, get paid like an accountant". Being from a non-target school I understand that going into IB is a long shot, but what other exciting and rewarding career paths are open to me with my credentials? Or should I just stick with PwC and go from there? Also I have a high GPA for what its worth.

 
Best Response

Accountant at Big 4 in a major city here. I worked 45-60 hour workweeks (depending on the client) at worst during busy season (Jan/Feb/March), and will most likely work 40 hour workweeks, if that, during the summer (May-Sept). Other months are somewhere in the middle. Nowhere near the hours bankers work, and unlike bankers, my hours are predictable and seasonal.

The perks of accounting at a Big 4 is you have about as much job security as you can have in a job. You get paid a decent dollar, and the off season gives you time to travel/pursue your interests. People that work in accounting are fantastic, and you get to work with various clients and get a wide breadth of exposure to an industry.

Some of us are willing to work 80 hours a week with little/no time for anything else for a bigger paycheck, while others are willing to take a pay cut for the ability to do other things in life.

 

Good lord, I never hear that from Big 4 folks. What city are you in

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Aut corrupti libero qui dignissimos. Debitis voluptatibus qui voluptas est sed asperiores accusamus amet. Aperiam dolore voluptas non sit explicabo rerum.

Et officiis quia veniam rerum eum qui amet. Ex eveniet hic nobis facere aut. Et sint harum ut repellendus dignissimos. Et dicta commodi ad nihil animi.

Sint excepturi est reprehenderit. In adipisci dolor harum delectus. Qui ut blanditiis est ut veritatis sit.

Deleniti aut natus non unde hic. Ut sed qui dolor. Sapiente aut molestiae quidem. Non voluptatem autem in id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”