Big 4 Audit vs 2nd-Tier TAS for My Goals

bump

Probably TAS

Similar situation to you, but I was in advisory at the Big 4. I am curious as to how competitive those mid-size TAS positions are? Did you go to a solid school? You are right on Big 4 TAS though, I talked to a TAS senior manager at my firm a few times about it over a period and he never really got back me to so I gave up on the idea and left.

Eh...I'd shoot for a better exit opp than TS at a midsize accounting firm. I have many friends at Big 4 firms who switched to TS or val after completing their second year in audit. I would continue trying for that route, if I were you. You will have far better exit opps down the line once you decide to leave TS/val if you're at a Big 4 firm. And it looks much better on an MBA app.

Also, it's highly unlikely that you can switch into TS or val at another Big 4 firm. The other firm isn't going to hire an outsider when they can just promote from within, especially when there is nothing that differentiates you from their own auditors trying to get into TS/val. Your only option is to transfer internally.

Another thought: you could probably jump to an FP&A role directly from audit. Corp dev? Doubtful.

Coming from a former auditor (Deloitte / PwC) who moved to TS within 18 months. The partner / HR red-tape is def there, but if you really want to get in you have to be annoying as hell (assuming the partner likes you and will put up with it). They told me....just do another busy season, then we'll talk... I kept coming at him and kept discussing with my 'coach' and was able to get the rotation in after 1 busy season.

I wouldn't leave for a tier 2 firm (esp. if you're looking for B School). I would just crush on some BIWS, crush the GMAT and convince them to let you do a rotation before your bschool application date so you can talk about how that sparked an interest in finance and you realized you needed bschool, etc.

OP,

I just saw this post and I find myself in a similar situation now to yourself. I'm currently in big 4 advisory and am debating the merits of jumping ship to a tier 2 company TAS opening--as I too have struggled to gain traction regarding an internal transfer. What action did you end up taking?

Thanks!

This is a timely thread for me as well. I've been in audit for 8 years, big4 for 3 years. My transfer has been approved but 6 months later than I was hoping for. As a result I've been exploring other opportunities at Tier 2 firms.

I have no intentions of going to B school but it is interesting to hear perspectives about the resume difference between Big4 and Tier 2. That has been my biggest concern about potentially going tier 2 and what Corp Dev, IB, PE firms may think about that down the road.

I'll be following this one

I would exhaust every possible connection within the current Big 4 before moving on. Talk to the managers and sr. managers you work with. Talk with all other partners you feel close with. Someone is bound to help, you just need to network and find them. Follow-up with them too. If they value you, they'll try to keep you with the firm. Unless your an audit savant and can't afford to have you transfer out. In the case, then I think GT, BDO, or McGladrey is the move. I don't see it as much of a step down, people go big 4 to second-teir or smaller all the time