big 4

Hi all, I've been looking around WSO for a while now but haven't gotten around to posting anything substantial/giving back. I'm doing a Q&A for the next two weeks give or take to answer questions/thoughts you might have. Hopefully I can help despite my limited background, given the seeming lack of...

23 Dec 2018

Hey all, First post on here so I hope I'm doing this right. I'm a rising senior interning at a Big 4 right now on their transaction real estate team, and although I love the people I'm not sure the company culture fits my personality well. I'm going to be doing some MBB / banking full time...

11 Jul 2021

Hello everyone, I recently graduated from business school, have nearly two years in private banking (pwm sales of PE funds and AM in PE as well). I started working in business modeling and valuations at a big 4. We are based in Luxembourg. From what I was told, real valuation work is done rarely....

21 Dec 2021

Starting a Q&A thread for any Big4 Auditors or Advisory folks looking to transition to a top MBA. I leaned heavily on WSO to complete the journey up to this point, and want to give back to those currently mired in the Big 4 grind. I cannot thank WSO enough for giving me the knowledge and confidence...

01 Nov 2018

Hi all, I currently have 2 offers, one from a solid MM IB (HW/WB/Baird) and one for Big 4 CF M&A. They pay at both is similar base but the bonus at IB is triple that of B4 - that said the hours are significantly worse. Is there anyone who has done both and can comment on the key differences between...

03 Nov 2021

Hello WSO, Long time lurker, first time poster. I am interviewing with a Big 4 next week for a position on their Deal Analytics team. Does anyone have any knowledge on what a deal analytics team would do versus a regular big 4 deals team or a data analytics team? For reference I have a bachelors in...

29 Apr 2022

If you had to choose between the following two offers which one would you choose and why? Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services - Sr. Assoc. - 20-25% year end bonus based off hours billed. EY TAS - Valuation & Business Modeling - Senior - 10% year end bonus, however EY is offering 10k more on the base...

29 Nov 2019

Like the title says, I'm conflicted in my choice between the two roles in these two companies and would appreciate some comments from industry insiders here. Both positions will be entry level, graduate position and located in the London office. Here is what I consider as pros and cons for each...

05 Apr 2022

Hi guys I have an offer from KPMG Global Strategy Group - Deal Strategy. My career goal is either to move into Investment Banking after a few years or directly into Private Equity. How do you guys rate the following position in terms of exit opportunities? This is a position in Europe. Participate...

20 Dec 2020

Over the years I've seen several posts on people considering jobs at Big4 corporate finance / M&A / TS departments, or people making statements about these jobs which have some pretty large inaccuracies. I'm going to try and clear up any confusion over the topics here.... Big 4 corporate finance The...

07 Feb 2016

It has been a long time since I've posted something constructive on these fora but lately, I have been getting a lot of questions on LinkedIn about Big 4 valuation, especially from those in MSF programs and recent MSF grads. Like most MSFs, I was completely unaware of the diverse career paths that...

08 Feb 2016

Background: - Currently a senior consultant at a big 4 with a handful of projects under my belt. - Hoping to write CFA level 3 in May, I was planning to write it this summer but it got delayed because of covid. I am acing the mocks consistently now so I am pretty sure I can pass it. - Completed the...

11 Nov 2020

I'm finishing my first year (4 more months to be a year) as a Graduate Financial Auditor at a State's Audit Office. I've decided that I don't want to continue my career in public sector and am looking to apply for an Assurance Associate position at Big 4 (preferably PwC Sydney). My goal is to work...

20 Feb 2022

Trying to figure some things out for the long term and would like others input. Currently in ER (Im a CPA), wondering if it would be smart to try and get into TAS at the Big 4. I see it mainly as two paths: (1) stay in ER, most likely start studying for the CFA (2) get into TAS (hopefully M&A), see...

06 Jun 2019

What's the better firm? Also, whats the differences in: Leadership/Mentoring People Working enviornment Which is Better for Advisory - KPMG or Deloitte? Our users highlighted that Deloitte is generally considered to be more prestigious across the board. User @lou", an investment banking analyst,...

05 Sep 2018

Hi, I get my MSc in BA and econ in 2 months from a non-target Scandinavian school. During my studies I have been working at local branch for a tier-1 Scandinavian bank. The job was deputy client executive, mainly assisting client executives administrative stuff, preppin for credit memos and...

03 Apr 2019

Recently got offered an associate role at a Big 4 firm for M&A Advisory. This is in a relatively stable middle eastern country. They would start me at Associate 2 and fast track to Manager in 1,5 years which is a pretty good deal. Manager is akin to a VP in this group. I would be 27 by the time I'm...

09 May 2021

Background: I'm a 2nd year analyst at a prominent non-big 4 firm doing TAS (valuation / M&A DD) and I just got an offer for a boutique bank (I'd solely be doing middle market M&A) in a second tier city, which I'm currently working in. FWIW, this is the first banking offer I've gotten. I have a few...

23 Feb 2017

In this 4 part series I'll be covering in depth the differences between a typical career in accounting starting in (Big 4) public accounting, and a typical career in finance starting in investment banking. First up in the series is a long term look at the career paths of each Accounting – Career...

18 Jul 2013

I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a 3.64 GPA in Economics & Accounting. I am 7 months into Audit at Big 4. I know I want to work in Investment Banking. For the last few months, I have been spending all of my free hours studying technicals, building models, and networking. I have gotten a couple...

11 May 2021

Hi guys Background - Big 4 Audit followed by close to 3 years in Strategic Finance Analyst role in leading corporate. Currently on 60k PS and most likely going to get bumped to 65k in Dec but high chance to 70k & promotion to Manager role. Exploring Corporate Development opportunities. Have had...

17 Oct 2018

Hi folks, summary of my situation: - Experience: 2 years at a Big 4 doing Valuation (mainly business valuation and building financial models; not much audit assist). I was also asked several times to join in FDD engagements so I'm positive I could also get some FDD experience. About to get promoted...

27 Apr 2019

I work in Big 4 audit and applied for a role in my firm's Corporate Finance group through the internal careers website. I spoke with an analyst and an associate in the group, and one of them put me in touch with a VP. I have a virtual coffee chat with the VP soon and am not sure how to approach the...

20 Jun 2021

I have to decide between big 4s for management consulting. I have offers(associate) from 2 big 4s and soon i'll ace the other 2 too but i still cant decide which one to join. I value work culture and entrepreneurship. Also, im aiming for a top 10 mba in future. I've heard deloitte and pwc are...

10 Dec 2019

I just got a full-time offer to join the VME group at EY. Super stoked because the pay is ridiculously high considering I come from a no-name school and I'm just wrapping up my undergrad. I had a few questions about the job, mostly curious how much travel you get to do, what type of software you get...

04 Nov 2021

I'm a 2nd year associate at a Big 4 TAS (Valuation), looking to lateral after I'm promoted to senior. I'm aiming for M7 MBA (Wharton/Columbia/MIT) and read that the adcoms are suckers for big brand companies. However, being based in South East Asia, I don't have many choices. The best brands I could...

08 Feb 2019

I know this is a question the community has seen before, and yes I have read them all, but times change and new insight is always appreciated. I am currently a Big 4 Auditor in the firms Financial Services market in NYC. I only note NYC because it adds to by experience with high finance. I have been...

14 Mar 2021

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09 Oct 2021

Hello, dear. I am an East Asian student who is going to attend the MSc Applied Economics PGT at Bath University (Social Science Faculty, not Management School). My dream job is the FO/MO in IB/PE/VC in London. But I am not sure is it enough. Should I get one more Master's Degree in a more famous...

26 Jul 2020

mod note: this very informative q&a was originally posted on 2/12/12 UPDATE 2/22/12: Over 20 questions and 50 responses added so far, keep 'em coming! I also took the bold away from the questions by popular request

31 Dec 2012

Hey guys, I recently started in Big 4 Audit in Canada and was able to transfer to Financial advisory. I have always been more interested in finance but didn't go to a University that would give me a realistic chance at a good finance job. I went the big 4 route instead with a plan to transfer into...

10 Apr 2016

Someone was asking me about this in PM and I wrote a long and detailed reply about what it is like to work in Big 4 and what advice I would give to people thinking about interning / working there. Thought it might be useful for others so my reply is below. Happy to answer any questions. [quote] I...

01 Jun 2013

Big 4 senior here, and have been looking to make a transition into an fp&a role. I've gotten two offers so far, and looking for some opinions on which one to take. Comp is similar between them, so not as much of a factor. Offer 1) Financial Analyst role at a midsize (just over half a billion in...

21 Nov 2016

To wrap up this 4 part series, I want to go into a little about the actual work itself and what you will be doing. Per usual, I will compare some typical roles in accounting with the typical roles in finance or banking. Accounting Audit In audit, your goal is ultimately to issue an opinion on a set...

30 Jul 2014

So I accepted an internship offer with a Big 4 in NYC earlier this year. It was all I had at the time and was unsure or not if I'd be able to break into banking as I attend a non-target. I was just extended an offer with better pay, and a housing stipend also in NYC at a large bank. How do I go...

01 Nov 2019

Hi All, I narrowed down what I would like to pursue and the jobs that are currently available online that I would like your advise on applying for. I have been working in the financial services group within a big 4 accounting firm and specialized in compliance and REIT due diligence for a real...

26 Aug 2019

Big 4 Interviews (KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, E&Y) can be stressful, but if you prepare and practice enough it will make it a much easier and relaxed experience. The Big 4 firms are looking for polished, professional, and hard working students to fill their slots for new hires. How to Act in a Big Four...

01 Jul 2013

If you're not at a "target" school for big 4 recruiting, it can be very challenging to get noticed. About 85% of new hires come directly from schools that the Big 4 recruit from on an annual basis. There are a few reasons but it mainly comes down to partner preference. In most cases the firm will...

20 Jun 2013

Which is more relevant for IB? I have offer for both. I plan to work 2-3 years then exit to IB (as in my country IB rarely recruits college grads). In the end I went with Valuation but I still have time to reconsider. Valuation Pros: - experience with modeling (DCF/comparable company/precedent...

13 Aug 2018

I am a sophomore at a top 5 business school and I am deciding between two internship offers. I can't choose between them so it would be greatly appreciated if as many of you could give me advice. I am interested in consulting/finance and would like to work at the top of a fortune 500's Finance...

22 Oct 2020

[reposting from CF forum for more visibility/appropriatness] Hi guys Exploring Corporate Development opportunities. Some roles that recruiters have approached me with from SMEs / several hundred m turnover companies are on 55-60k. Is it worth taking such a side ways / back wards step salary wise? I...

18 Oct 2018

Fellow Monkeys, I've occassionally followed WSO threads since university and there's been some good advice. I'm sensing a blocker and can do with thoughts from the consulting community/looping in with those in strategy consulting for a view. I've been working in FS implementation consulting for...

29 May 2020

Nowadays, as the competition steadily increases and fortune 100 entry-level positions become inexperienced college grad's new goal, what must one do to get ahead. Just a few quick questions about the Big 4: What is the Big 4's stereotypical entry-level candidate? -Google, Apple and Facebook hire ivy...

18 May 2018

I know that both options are not really top choice, but as a non–target with very weak background, I'm glad to even have those. So basically I've got offers from two different GS European offices and offer in business consulting at EY. The facts I'm considering: – From what I've already read on...

01 Feb 2021

Dear community, I am from Asia and have 2 offers - both IBD - 1 from a boutique IB and 1 from a Big 4 firm. My goal is to study MFin at MIT/Oxford/Cambridge in 2-3 years and go to BB IB/PE in US/UK/Asia. The boutique IB has 10 offices around the globe, including NYC & London, although most are in...

21 May 2018

Curious if anyone has ever done a 6 to 12 month rotation between competencies at a big 4 firm. I'm specifically interested in Valuation or FDD. I understand this can be common coming from audit, but interested if anyone has seen it done from someone on the consulting side. Rationale is that I'm...

26 Apr 2017

This is my first WSO post. I'm finishing my sophomore year at an SEC school with a 4.0 GPA and a double major in finance and accountancy. When I was in high school, I didn't even know what investment banking or private equity was, and planned to start in Big 4 auditing, switch to private accounting,...

15 Apr 2018

Quick back ground, I'm currently in audit and am leaving after this busy season. The university I went to is small and not prestigious at all, getting into the Big 4 is an accomplishment where I went, I did get a masters in accounting though. This is only my second year with the big 4 in smaller...

11 Jan 2015

I will be starting in audit at a Big 4 this summer. I was wondering how the process works when getting placed into an industry/company/etc. Do we get to pick what companies (large/small) or industry we audit? How do they determine what teams we are placed on? (had better connections with some...

07 May 2014

I'm interested to know others' opinions on whether a Big 4 gig or Corp Fin at a F500 would look "better" on an MBA application. Right now, I am working at a Big 4 in audit, and doing an advisory rotation with the strong possibility of entering into the advisory division full-time after two years....

06 Mar 2014