A recently qualified CA: “I dream of the Big 4″
A qualified CA with 2 years of post qualification experience: “I’m sick of the Big 4, i wanna move to the industry”
Call that a trend or whatever else, but an ever-increasing population of our fraternity is adopting this as their professional logo. Every fresher wants to dive into the big 4 fish pool. But once you’re a part of this stagnating bunch of fish, you look for some more challenging roles, away from the repetitive chores, away from all like-qualified professionals to an industry which gives you a well blended mix of people, interesting work, ability to move across functional domains and what not!!!
The industry is offerring sky high salaries when compared to the Big 4 and these firms are having a hard time trying to retain their trained fish. The average period which a qualified CA spends in a big 4 is between 1-3 years, unless of course he wants to become a partner here. Once the Big 4 professional tag is attched to ur Cv, the industry welcomes you with open arms and offers you far more challenging roles.
A good breeding ground that trains you how to function well in a professional situation, coupled with a superb brandname, more and more young professionals get lured into the pool. After six months, they learn how to formulate a professional CV, how to talk smooth, and spend every second minute finding a job in the industry.
What is the fault here!!! is it good salries, is it the professional brandname…..Or is it the repetitive work, not an easy access to cross functional work, a put-u-down attitude…..
Will anyone tell me whatz happenning here!!
Popularity: 2% [?]
All that shines is not Gold!………seems true,..But only when the gold is in your hands!Till the time its away from you,you’l make all the efforts you can to get that gold in your possession.
The Big 4 seems to be the “gold” here.They are the “shiniest” CA firms of not only the country,but the world as well.Which CA wouldnt want to be part of the best International CA firms?Who wouldnt want to own the tag of a multi-national….least to say,I would!
In a world where people are moved by brand names,..they are the brand names!
The Industry wouldnt ‘shortlist’ a CA with his experience in a small firm ,over a CA with his work-ex in the Big 4.No matter how competent,how knowledgeable,how cross functional the “low profile guy” could have been,the guy with “The Tag” would be ‘shortlisted’.(Infact,an experience in a relatively smaller firm can be much more cross-functional or knowledgeable than that in a Big-4…But,Who cares?!)
Is the work-culture in the Big 4 very superior to that in a small firm?I dont think so.Attributes like knowledge,professionalism,honesty is respected everywhere.& to ur surprise,…Even in a small firm!!…But again,does the Industry really care..!
But ultimately,i suppose its “satisfaction” that makes people to move around everywhere… looking for that Salvation!…..in the pursuit of finding “their Gold”,…Be it in the Big 4… or the industry…or somewhere outside these two…
I’l be looking outside…How about you?!