Anyone here worked or currently works for a Big 4 CPA Firm????

Question

Hello, just asking about your experience about CPA training and all the things you can maybe give to someone like me, I'm going to start Fall of 2007 for a Big 4 Firm...so please could you tell me some of your experience in terms of meeting new friends/people and the overall work environment. I would really appreciate it!!

Answer 1

You will start your stay there with about 2 weeks of intense training. They are very serious about their training and you have to clock up a fixed no. of CPE or CPD (Continuing Professional Education or Development, depending on where you're going) hours each year. You'll start working under a more experienced colleague. Try to remember all that you've learnt in college and apply it. Ask when you're not sure. Always act professionally with clients, no matter what level they are ( whether a clerk or a director). During the busy periods, the whole team needs to work late. You have to join in. Don't say things like "I can't work late. My girlfriend is waiting for me" unless you want to be kicked out. The work atmosphere is friendly but competitive at the same time. Appraisals are performed annually. If you work in a big office, it can take up a few floors in the building and you may have to travel to another floor for meetings, usually carrying your laptop with you. Because of the sheer size of the firm, you may not know everyone of your colleagues. Staff turnover may be high : those who can't hack it will leave. Don't let that affect you and don't join in negative talk about the firm. You'll feel very happy and proud if you can weather the 1st few difficult years. You'll grow to like the technical nature of the work. All the best, and congratulations!