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Career Corner
What Firm is Right For You?
Wondering what type of accounting firm is right for you? Not sure if you want to try for one of the “big four,” or more of a local or regional firm? Take a look at details about each. Then submit some applications and put your interviewing skills to practice!
Before getting started, it’s important to look at exactly what each firm is.
Big four firms are large accounting and auditing firms that are national. Instead of being a single firm, they encompass networks of smaller ones that share a name. The big four firms are ricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.
The majority of accounting firms are smaller, local firms that handle individual and small business clients, as opposed to large national organizations. Examples include Beard Miller Company, Herbein and Company, and WTAS.
In order to figure out which type is right for you, it’s important to look at what each one encompasses, and then decide the are pros and cons since certain aspects are great for some people, and horrible for others!
Big Four Accounting Firms:- Big four firms deal with larger clients. They audit and do tax work for national corporations.
- Larger clients mean a larger number of employees, which could mean less personalization. Do you prefer to work alone or in groups? If you prefer groups a big four firm will probably be more of the style that you’re looking for.
- Not only are there more employees at big four firms, but there is also more specialization. Instead of working on numerous tax returns a day, you’re more likely to focus on one aspect of a large project for up to a few weeks at a time.
- Name recognition is a major part of big four firms. They are national organizations, so having the name on your resume may be beneficial if you’d like to move, or even transfer to a different firm.
- If personal, one-on-one work is what you’re into, a regional accounting firm would be more your style. You’ll do more meetings with clients and handle all of their tax work, instead of a single aspect of tax or auditing.
- The busy season is more flexible with regional firms. Getting family time off is less difficult during this time because of the personal aspect (mentioned above), and because you’re not working with a huge organization.
- More variety is possible within a regional firm because you don’t have to choose an area of specialization (past deciding if you want to do tax work or auditing). You’ll be able to work on various projects within the same day sometimes, as opposed to one project for a whole week.
Each type of firm has advantages and disadvantages, and each person needs to go with the one that fits exactly what he or she is looking for.
Regardless of what type of firm you choose, ask what benefits they have to offer. This includes health insurance, time off, 401K or retirement options. If you’re looking to become a CPA, many organizations will pay for you to take the exam; this can be very helpful in the long run!
Each person is built for a different type of firm. Search around and in the long run you’ll be much more content with your career choice.
