What is the best Big 4 Accounting firm to work at?

Question

I am about to apply to these and was wondering if any current (former) employees have any insight. Also, what division is better to work for, tax or audit? What is the starting salary range?

Answer 1

I worked at Price Waterhouse in NYC. Price Waterhouse was sued for discrimination and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court where the company lost (if my memory serves me correctly.) I would expect that it has changed since then. I know that it has a big management consulting division and this is what I'd aim for in the long run. Audit is a lot of pressure in the winter but it had more prestige than tax. After audit, most people were shifted into tax anyway. Audit gives you a better chance to get a high paying job such as controller at another company. I would not enter tax unless you like tax.

Since I did notice a lot of discrimination in corporate America, if you are a minority or a female, you should definitely check out the composition of the people at the top either through an Internet directory or a personnel handbook. All of the employees at PW had a picture personnel book. The people at the top were all white males.

My Dad worked for another top accounting firm and in his branch office it was observed that employees that were not Catholic had a hard time getting promoted.

I also noticed that there was a lot of nastiness in public accounting. One senior told me to pick out the people I least liked and those would be the ones to achieve partnership ten years down the road. Accounting firms are very much a hierarchy with very few who make it to the top. So you want to make sure your career path leaves room to become a controller at another company.

Answer 2

I have worked in Corporate Finance and as a consultant and have worked with or around all 4. They are basically the same. Tax is more specialized than audit. As for starting salaries it will depend a great deal on your degree and geographic area. Try the placement office at a nearby university. They may have salary ranges.

Answer 3

Two of my friends work for Northern Trust. I don't think it's an accounting firm, but they are both accountants. They love it because it is one of the top companies for moms to work at...daycare, very long maternity leave, flex time, etc.

When looking for a perfect company, you should really look at the benefits they offer. Having a good work/life balance will mean much more than a salary after a while.