As a few of you know, I'm starting to get deeper into the recruiting process. I have SLPs coming up with 2 of the 4 firms (interviewed with 3 total), and I'm hoping to maybe seal the deal with internships at these SLPs, before fall recruiting even starts.
The only issue I'm having is one of these firms is PwC. I know they promote to senior after 3 years, and odds are I will be leaving at between 2-3 years in. I'm wondering if this will affect exit opps. After three years at PwC, I would still be an associate, whereas after three years at another firm I would be a senior. Is this something that should weigh into my decision, or do they (exit opps) typically go by years of experience, not title? PwC is more lenient with my request to work halfway across the country in a major metropolitan area, and if they offer an internship I'd love to have that all settled, but I was wondering if the promotion schedule should carry much weight in my decision.
Just joined this group today, and have seen you post a lot about Big 4 accounting which is great. Take it easy, enjoy the SLP and the internship, focus on meeting people and making friends, and don't worry too much about all the details.
I work at PwC, and yes, it typically takes three years for an associate to become a senior. It is definitely possible to be promoted early after two years if there is a need within your group or you are a high performer. I personally have done 2 busy season internships at PwC prior to starting full-time, and HR has told me that this will factor into when I get promoted (meaning I should be promoted after two years). Whether they will follow through on this or not remains to be seen, but I'm not concerned either way.
If you do a search for accounting/tax jobs at F500 companies, they typically list requirements such as CPA, Macc/MST, and x # of years of Big 4 experience.
If you are a 3rd year associate, you will most likely be the "acting senior" on your engagement, which means you'll have the same responsibilities as a senior without the official title.
So the only real difference is if you try to leave in your 3rd year. At EY for example, you may have the Senior title and ~1 year of exp as a Senior. At PwC you will have the Associate title with ~1 year of exp as a senior. I don't think this should be a dealbreaker, as I think it's better to leave after 5+ years anyway.
In your 4th year, you'll have the Senior title at either firm with ~2 years of experience as, so it doesn't really matter after that.
Focus on getting your CPA done ASAP, and enjoy the hell out of your internship and college. Good luck and feel free to ask any other questions you might have about PwC or accounting in general.
I assume based on your advice (of staying 5 years and that the PwC promotion schedule doesn't matter) you're aiming towards more traditional exit opps such as corp accg?
And I may be PMing you soon to ask some questions about your experiences thus far.
I'm actually in tax, but everything I mentioned applies to both audit and tax. I'm unfamilar with exit opps for audit though so I won't be much help there.
I think you got the point, but just to reiterate the promotion schedule will matter, but only in your 3rd year as your title will be different.
Yeah the thing is that I do in fact intend on getting out at the three year mark, so I'm wondering how much it will affect my exit opps. The most likely scenario would be going to an F500 SFA roll, but I'm keeping an open mind.
My opinion is that is depends very much upon the kind of position you are leaving to take, and the person who is interviewing you for the position. All other things being equal, if you have two candidates that look the same in terms of experience, qualifications, etc., but one is a Senior from Deloitte and one is an Associate from PwC, which one would look better to you? PwC people will tell you that all that matters is years of experience, but if the position you are going for isn't a standard financial reporting/accounting gig, I don't think I agree with that viewpoint. It's definitely a negative, but how much of a negative I can't say for sure.
Keep in mind it's only a title, though - you probably won't be doing anything differently in your 3rd year just because you're a Senior instead of Associate.
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