The Truth about Working at the Big 4 Accounting Firms | Why I Left

Hi YT! This video is a tell all about my experience working at a Big 4 accounting firm. I worked in the Audit Practice so I am only speaking to that.

Timestamps:
1:19 Background Info
3:40 Big 4 Pros
9:08 Big 4 Cons
19:08 Final Thoughts

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I do not own the rights to the music in the video.

MUSIC:
Intro- Gyrate by Wizkid

#Big4 #PublicAccounting #Audit

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[JessETV]

If you enjoyed the video, don’t forget to LIKE the video, COMMENT, & SUBSCRIBE ❤️

[EssaysCollege]

Big 4 Business Model: Convince recent grads that they are the only path to a successful career, work them to death for 2 years then replace them. I started my own firm, make more and work less. To those who still want to go the Big 4 route. Good luck!

[Helthurian]

Sounds like a place that makes you live to work instead of working to live. Had a offer from them and glad I looked into this further.

[dizzeechannie]

2 weeks holiday! Gosh, Americans never stop working! 4 weeks is standard over here and lots of companies offer a lot better than that. If a company only offered me two weeks holiday, I wouldn't even consider it.

[sunny]

Well I also did 75hr to 80 hrs job in a week in PwC(cybersecurity).... its really thing I have learned in PwC before leaving is handling enormous pressure, stress, continuous working without taking breaks.

[Mahalleinir]

Thanks for sharing this. I made senior manager in big 4 tax and still going, your story is a common one that I see continuously and experienced parts of myself. Unfortunately the nature of the industry drives some of the cons you mentioned, not sure I’m too optimistic about any of that changing anytime soon.

There are ways to mitigate some of this though and I’ve found that the most effective way is to quickly network and align yourself with a team you enjoy working with. This way you reduce the randomness of the teams you are placed on and build stronger relationships with a close knit group. Sounds obvious but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this save or at least help disgruntled team members.

[monster]

I feel like at our age we should be job hopping. Staying for 1-2 years is ideal at these firms. Youre very right for leaving!

[Nazacos.]

I loved your video, it is vary accurate and I was an intern so the manager support could make a big different. 
in terns of performance evaluation I believe that relationship with the managers of the projects play a big role, Like I felt that I had to connect with them in other to be seeing and known, its savage but definitely good for the CV and career path.

I felt that majority of people smiled but they were unhappy!
thank you Jess for sharing

[ChangNation]

Thanks for telling your story - always great to hear other people's perspective working in client services!

[mansuramovlanova]

Thank you for sharing ! I am having an interview with KMPG for internship this Friday.

[samallen]

Hated my time at the big 4. Terrible work life balance. People glorify working long hours till midnight and later. Life is short - spend it with your friends and family. My private life is worth so much more than the money they could pay!

[greektrader]

Having a few years experience from big4 environment this video is on point.
Good benefits for first paying job.
Proceed with realistic expectations…
Performance based companies, much less opportunities than those being marketed.
Highly skewed salaries time/reward.
Not clear criteria for promotions…

[roydevesaiii]

this has given me a better idea of how to approach the accounting career im pursuing. Thank you for the insight!

[austinkelsch]

I’m starting Becker right now. I have all summer to study so I feel like I should be able to get one or two sections done. I just finished up a busy season with a local CPA firm.

[accountant]

I’m taking the entrance exam to my university for accounting this month! Woohoo!

[keepingitkasey]

Im glad ppl are sharing this information!!

[HelpDeskPersonaJOKER]

Thank you for telling me what that meant to you! Salary expectations were lower than I thought.

[tagranchy]

Yeah that's right you like work for 70 hrs a week and they only give around 300$ a month I'm at the position of analyst in KPMG and it gives you so headache and sleepless nights and no work life balance i just want to leave but the fact that no other company wants to hire me but I will still try. I am from India working in KPMG it is so hectic work.

[lukkash]

Seeing her at the company I couldn't think about any accounting & audit :) I would say: let's get out and establish together a modelling agency.

[aminehached]

The big 4 are a decent place to kickstart a career. You learn a lot in a short time and get exposed to many industries at once but that comes with a lot of stress and physical pressure. Unless you REALLY love consulting, I'd suggest working for a year or two at most then switch