Do not go into the Big 4 audit/tax if you are an accounting student. Please, just let the partnership die.
Honestly, the only saving grace is the guaranteed promotion annually if you don’t fuck up.
But is it worth it? Because factor that in, the pay is still miserable and the hours are still shitty. So why join Big 4 for the guaranteed promotion?
The pay is low, and the hours are long. You have to work on weekends, be it whether you are forced by the manager/partner, or that you are so afraid that you cannot complete your work on time because of the ridiculous deadline with the growing shortage of staff that you turn your computer on to catch up on saturdays/sundays. I had worked 14 hours a day for 6-7 days a week for the last 6 months.
You will have no time for your family and friends. You will have to miss gatherings.
You will suffer badly from a lack of sleep. Your health will deteriorate. Your temper will grow and you will become impatient as well.
All this and for what? Honestly, if 9-9-6 is bad, Big 4 is worse and should be illegal.
Here are what netizens think:
- Most people want short-term gratification, the thought is very seductive. Big Four is a good learning ground and working conditions are tests of resilience and self-control. You don’t have to stay long, learn enough, network and keep in touch (most of your peers will branch out into other careers after Big Four) and progress upwards and always keep a lookout for other opportunities outside of your firm.
- Obviously you’re someone who couldn’t keep up. I’ve known of ppl who are in the the big 4 personally, they’re hardworking capable ppl, earning well and managing their family life equally well. It all boils down to how u manage yourself isn’t it. Just cos you’re not doing as good as others doesn’t mean it’s not a good place to be in. If it really bothers u so much, quit.
- It’s the worst charge-out rate for consulting/professional services and often managers/partners don’t indicate the real hours associates put into the each “job”. But what you get is the big4 branding, exposure and increases your caffeine intake.