Big 4 Tax Questions

I feel like tax is the other road of the other road.

But something I think I would enjoy immensely: always wanted some analysis (legal type) and just love the corporate structure.

I have just been accepted and starting my M.S. in Acct this coming Fall. Plans on getting tax internship next summer hopefully Big 4.

My question really is this:

1. Do you need a JD to end up in the upper ranks of Tax specifically on the Partner track?

2. Is there more competition for partner track since the hours are AS bad as audit. Heard from a manager that even busy season is only 60-65 hours a week in Tax?

 
Best Response

I can chime in; did a big 4 internship in tax.

  1. No, I don't know any tax partners with a JD, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. They do all have a CPA though, its becoming mandatory to attain partnership at some big 4's (I guess you didn't need it back in the day).

  2. Hours in tax, like audit, vary depending on the team you work on. Specialty teams like state and local tax teams, work year round pretty bad hours. However, some groups have large gaps in between tax seasons and you may have times where you literally do nothing for months (heard stories about leaving at noon to play a round of golf). Tax exit opps are worst than audit, primarily because tax is more specialized and you are expected to move to another company's tax team. Busy season varies again, but I've worked in the 70+ range and my team was pretty laxed. If you have anymore Qs you can def PM me

 
  1. You can check some firms website to see what the Tax partners have in their bio.

JD is risky and seems to be a dime a dozen IMO

  1. Tax partners are somewhat rarer than audit partners and rareness breeds competition. Generally audit is larger team then tax so more people more partners. And a really technical audit partner could be admitted much more easily (especially with the PCAOB focus on more partner hours/ quality reviews). So compared to audit, becoming a tax partner is harder.
 

Thanks guys.

Of course a JD wouldn't be directly after undergrad cause I agree they're a dime a dozen.

I'm just trying to get an idea of whether Tax seems like an obtainable ad worthwhile goal. Versus just trying to get into Audit. I honestly think I would prefer Tax because of the more legal leaning it has.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

Nesciunt sint omnis unde perferendis corrupti. Officiis quasi qui culpa et molestiae. Et earum voluptate saepe ab.

Molestias assumenda cum dolore tempora itaque est. Natus odit in architecto rerum molestias. Veniam et porro facere molestiae excepturi amet. Dolore quia in nobis odio nobis quo. Aliquid temporibus itaque voluptatem eos.

Quae praesentium fugit pariatur quia quia quia id. Quas est possimus enim assumenda ut tenetur. Accusamus ducimus nulla asperiores dicta optio dolorem perferendis. Labore qui unde ipsa qui voluptates veritatis id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”