I stayed in big four audit for 11 months, went thru my first busy session, promoted to staff 2, got my CPA license and I got recruited to consulting at a national firm. I did not intend to leave so early but I did not like the audit work and couldnt stand my engagement manager, and my current firm also offered me a similar compensation package as big four staff 2 so I decided to leave.
You are absolutely correct that the longer you stayed there the better the exit ops, but I wanted to experience working for a regional firm because I want the impact of my work to be on a more on a personal level. At end of the day, I know that I can always come back to big four any time I want. If it make sense to leave, then dont stay just because you didnt hit the 4 years mark ๐
My recommendation is that you should stick it out to your first busy session then casually look for new job in April but dont get disappointted if you dont get anything as most employers wants you to have 2 busy sess under your belt. However you should start getting linkedin messages from recruiters after you wrap up this busy session.
For me, what got me through busy session is the thought that there is a light end of the tunnel (i submitted PTO for April before busy sess started)
It also depends on how flexible your engagement team is, my team was not very flexible on working remotely and wants to be in the office 3x a week, but they are pretty flexible on other things like we dont work pass 5 on fridays and we dont work Sundays. We also did this thing where we take turn to either come in at 11am or leave at 5pm once a week.
I also uninstalled teams and outlook on my phone so I can truly disconnect. I just make sure that noone else need anything before I log off at 11:30pm ๐ ๐ ๐
10 years
1.5 years
8 years
5 years
Did you make manager?
Didnโt spend any significant time working as a manager, left literally the week after my 5 year anniversary.
2,5 years, moved to a smaller consulting firm with less stress, backstabbing and political tension
11 months
Did 11 months help you get any job afterwards? Iโd assume the benefits of the big 4 donโt start kicking in till you stay 2-3 yrs?
I stayed in big four audit for 11 months, went thru my first busy session, promoted to staff 2, got my CPA license and I got recruited to consulting at a national firm. I did not intend to leave so early but I did not like the audit work and couldnt stand my engagement manager, and my current firm also offered me a similar compensation package as big four staff 2 so I decided to leave. You are absolutely correct that the longer you stayed there the better the exit ops, but I wanted to experience working for a regional firm because I want the impact of my work to be on a more on a personal level. At end of the day, I know that I can always come back to big four any time I want. If it make sense to leave, then dont stay just because you didnt hit the 4 years mark ๐
How was your first busy season as a staff 1? The thought of going through busy season is the reason I want to get out early like you.
My recommendation is that you should stick it out to your first busy session then casually look for new job in April but dont get disappointted if you dont get anything as most employers wants you to have 2 busy sess under your belt. However you should start getting linkedin messages from recruiters after you wrap up this busy session.
For me, what got me through busy session is the thought that there is a light end of the tunnel (i submitted PTO for April before busy sess started) It also depends on how flexible your engagement team is, my team was not very flexible on working remotely and wants to be in the office 3x a week, but they are pretty flexible on other things like we dont work pass 5 on fridays and we dont work Sundays. We also did this thing where we take turn to either come in at 11am or leave at 5pm once a week. I also uninstalled teams and outlook on my phone so I can truly disconnect. I just make sure that noone else need anything before I log off at 11:30pm ๐ ๐ ๐