big 4

schumacher

im finishing my accounting degree next year and will be applying to the big 4 and etc in october. i was just wondering is working in one of the big 4 in dublin better than workin in one of their much smaller regional offices? would it make a big difference to your future career and cv? any replies from anyone whos worked in the big 4 would be apprecited.

Fruiti

I work in a Big 4 in dublin and have friends in the regional offices (cork and limerick). im very happy and i know my friend in cork is happy but not so my friend in limerick. it depends on who you work for - obviously in dublin it's a far bigger office with bigger clients and even if you dont get on particularly well with one manager, you wont spend all your time working for him/her. In a smaller office you might. Also, opportunities for promotion are far greater in the dublin office (this might not be true for all firms). I would recommend Dublin but thats based on my experience, someone in a smaller office may disagree. You would get paid more in dublin but then costs of living are higher. It's a personal choice but remember the regional offices have far fewer vacancies so make sure you let the firm know that you're willing to work in dublin should you be unsuccessful in getting a regional job.

Mr. Incognito

all depends on your partner- sound partner=sound job.

That's my yardstick, I know of course they have all these lofty aspirations but at the end of the day if your boss is a knob you'll never enjoy your job.

chump

SetantaL wrote: »

all depends on your partner- sound partner=sound job.

That's my yardstick, I know of course they have all these lofty aspirations but at the end of the day if your boss is a knob you'll never enjoy your job.

From personal experience I'd be more concerned with your immediate manager (whether they be a director or whatever) being sound than the partner, as day to day they're who you deal with.

I heard regional experience in the big four is very good. In audit for example you might experience financial services with all your other audit areas. Also I would avoid working solely in financial services if you do join a big4 dublin office.

Cyrus

yep good advice,

avoid FS, much greater competition to get into the regional offices as there are less positions, if you do an interview and dont get it they may offer a place in dublin.

Seems to be loads of jobs going, dont know what itll be like this year but KPMG took 350 last year, it was around 120 in 2003 when i joined!

shewasoctober

chump wrote: »

Also I would avoid working solely in financial services if you do join a big4 dublin office.

I'm starting in a Big4 in September as an Audit Trainee in Financial Services. Why do you recommend avoiding it? Just curious.

Cyrus

generally seen as the worst department workload wise, lack of variety, chances of you being to able pull together a set of accs afterwards is low and you are really stuck in that area for life

apart from that

Fruiti

Have to agree with Cyrus and Chump, you will get pigeonholed in FS. You might like it, but the large amounts of trainees who leave FS the day after their contract ends would indicate that it's unlikely.

d2000

is there many jobs goin in IT in any of the big 4?? doing accounting and finance and going to specialise in E-business management.

Cyrus

i know kmpg has a BAS dept (business advisory services) prob has changed name now, they do all the computer auditing stuff, prob only take 3-4 each year for that tho

Stabshauptmann

Cyrus wrote: »

i know kmpg has a BAS dept (business advisory services) prob has changed name now, they do all the computer auditing stuff, prob only take 3-4 each year for that tho

Name changed/changing to "Business Performance & IT Advisory"

The CCAinsider

A smaller office of a big 4 would be my suggestion. You will get a better grounding and you can always transfer to Dublin (or Hong Kong for that matter) later on.