<p>The title basically says it. Do you have to work at the Big 4 to be successful as an accountant (i.e. earn a good living, work as a controller, etc.) or can smaller firms also offer good career prospects? How much worse are smaller firms than the Big 4?</p>
<p>No, no, no! </p>
<p>You choose an accounting firm that’s right for YOU. Not everyone is suited for big 4 and not everyone is suited for smaller firms. You choose the right firm for you.</p>
<p>“how much worse are smaller firms than the Big 4” that’s not a good question to ask by the way.</p>
<p>Some people say that big 4 will get you better job opportunities in the future, that’s entirely FALSE. And I know this for a fact.</p>
<p>Although I bet this dude is a ■■■■■, you might want to provide some evidence whenever you state something as a fact, sp1212. I’m not saying you’re right or wrong, just saying that you might need to provide some evidence.</p>
<p>creamgethamoney, I am the VP of the BAP organization at my school. I have contacts with people from every firm. And I organize the speakers for every meeting. I have met with many of the professionals from big 4 to mid-sized to smaller. They all say the same thing…find the best firm for you or what you can get into. It’s really all about how much you can get out of your work experience that will determine your future career prospects.</p>
<p>It’s really all about where you see yourself fitting in.</p>
<p>If you want to be a controller at a large fortune 100 firm, you should probably go Big Four if you can…</p>
<p>Creamgethamoney: Shut up e-thug. How am I a ■■■■■, I just asked a simple question, especially since many people here seem to ask about the Big 4 and nothing else.</p>
<p>sp1212: Wouldn’t you say though that having the Big 4 name on your resume at first may help? I mean yeah, if you get fired in 3 months, nobody is going to care, but isn’t the name those firms have helpful?</p>
<p>jonahrubin: What if you just want to be a controller in general, and not necessarily at a F100? Don’t smaller companies have CFOs/Controllers as well? Can you work for one of those?</p>
<p>I don’t know how much it changes your odds, but I’m guessing you could. If you want to find out, check the biographies of some people in those positions at various smaller companies. If the CFO of Company X started off at BDO, you probably have a good bet. I’d bet that in general you’d have a great chance as a non-big four person at companies that are audited by non-big four firms. </p>
<p>I’m hopefully going to work for one of the 2nd tier(rank 5-10), and then go for my MBA at a top 10 school after a few years. That strikes me as a good possibility if my “brand” isn’t good enough at a 2nd tier.</p>
<p>If by successful you mean compensated well, then yes, you can be successful at a mid-sized firm. I think you need to address your over-all goal though. If you want to end up working in industry, Big 4 or a larger sized firm might open some more doors for you; but keep in mind the difference in hours/work load when looking at Big 4. If you want to work in public accounting for your entire career, then find a firm that you like and that fits your lifestyle. No matter where you end up, your time in public accounting will be a good experience and open doors in industry. I highly reccommend that all accounting grads start in public accounting, rather than go directly into industry.</p>
<p>I work at a mid-sized firm and it happens to work very well with what I feel is a good work/life balance. For some, they find that Big 4 offers a good work/life balance, and for other it does not. It is really a personal preference.</p>