Big 4 Trainees

dublad08

Hey,

I have just accepted a offer from a Big 4 and I was wondering what I could expect when I start in October and whats the social side of work like, is it all work and no play:D?

jph100

ive been told its great.the work can be tough but the social side is supposed to be great and its possible to make some great friends.

im a bit envious of it because im hoping to go into a small practice after college but i think the social life there might be just a little different to the social life u will have!

dublad08

Thanks for your comment. I am hoping to hear from people who actually are in a big 4 and their experiences working in them.

Mr. Incognito

I'm in a big 4. depends on your partner (and in accountancy your pod) more than anything as they are the people that control your day to day, If they're sound- sorted. if there not- well, explains the high turnover rates.....

thewing

I have loads of friends who worked for big 4's and from what I observed the social side of things is brilliant....

murphn24

I work for big 4 company. Don't find the work too bad. Depends totally on the job you are on. SOme are more demanding than others but it is also quiet enough during certain stages of the year. Social life is excellent. Really not what I was expecting when joined an accountancy firm!

seamus

I work on the support side of a big 4 and from what I see, the first two years are socially just like college. The guys do a fair bit of work, but party hard at the weekends and waste a lot of time hanging around the restaurant chatting.

Cantoris

I'm a past pupil of the Big 4. You work hard but play hard. First year you have very little responsibility which makes for a few decent Thursday nights out with the crew. As time goes on you bond a lot with your intake and I'd have four or five good mates from those days. And there always tends to be a few out every friday night. If you join one of the Big 4 make sure to get to know your intake anyway you can. Organise events between ye or just gatherings. Once first year is over its becomes more difficult for everyone to meet as responsibitiy increases as do the hours so you will stick with the group you have formed in first year.

inspi00

I work in one of the big 4....I swore through college I would never work in a 'big 4' company...didnt even apply to any of them. Think i got a bad impression cause everyone was so competitive and made it their mission to get into the top 4..and im not into that. And peoples obsession with these places made me think that these places were impossible to get into, and most likely snooty. (trust me there not and very ignorant of me to think so). But anyway I never gave them the time of day...

So got a good job working in stocks ....but hated it. More out of desperation and good reviews from a friend, I saw a job ad for one the 'big 4' and applied out of curiousity. Thought itd be good experience of an interview and all that. Had no intention of taking the job, but got an offer and accepted...not because i wanted it, but to 'buy' me time to think. Anyway hated my job so much, I ended up going with the big 4 job offer.

Being honest Its the best decision Ive ever made. Ive gone from a job that I hated with a passion to one that is far more professional with an unreal social!! The grad programmes are an excuse for drinkin and partying and many free bars!! Really good work life balance ie policies. Granted you do overtime and work late but I did this in my last job also and got zero gratitude.

I guess what im saying is Ive done a complete 360. Ive gone from not even originally applying to being totally converted. Not because I 'buy' the big 4 'crap' that some people spew , but because where I work is far more professional, dead on people, and has many opportunities to move around and gain experience than the world wide organisation I previously worked for.

At the end of the day, the 'big 4' want the best graduates and they know their in competition with other companies for these, so they have to pull out all the stops.

So in short from an career ,but definitely from a social p.o.v, go with the big 4.

2 points to note though-

I can only speak for my company and my team. I was unlucky last time...I happened to get lucky this time. Alot does depend on the team and the people you end up working with. Also, thinking now, Id choose where I am now over the othere traditional 3.

Secondly, smaller companies prob give a better overview of your discipline.

But then there are advantages and disadvantages to eveything.

Training contracts arent the best to start off in but the bigger companies tend to pay better. I know someone on 13 grand in a small rural practice.... But thats the worst Ive heard. Big 4 are in the 20's.

Anyway best of luck

dublad08

Thanks for all the comments. Looking forward to starting in October