Am I wasting time spending 4+ years in Public Accounting?

Will you get super specialized if you spend 4 years or more in public accounting? We address this question and more in this video.
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[@McJamEs209]

Hello, I'm a junior in college, thinking of going into regional public also planning getting my Masters in Accounting and my CPA. I would love to see a video exploring the exit option of opening your our accounting firm or bussiness and what credentials experience would be a good idea to plan before hand to make the business successful.

[@tiararoxeanne1318]

07:55 About jumping from private sector to the Big 4 public accountants. I think Bill and Maria are too polite to mention one thing: the peer pressure you would experience in the Big 4 Big 4 usually hire the best graduates from prestigious universities. Thus, the competition will be FIERCE from the start. Not to mention they usually use "normal distribution" model to rate performance of their employees. It means the least performed of the bunch will get rating 4 although that person is pretty good, just because his/her peers are outstanding. An associate who gets rating 4 could be underestimated by his/her superiors, peers, even subordinates, moreover a senior associate. Employees who get rating 4 are usually the least chosen to be on any teams, so they might miss the opportunities to involve in big projects or work with important clients. Along the time they might see their former subordinates pass them in the hierarchy. Anyone who jump from private sector to the Big 4 should have really outstanding capabilities or a really thick skin. The looks on Bill and Maria's faces at 08:06 say it all...

[@TheFinancialController]

Thanks Tiara. I confirm this

[@ahmedvitiello1207]

What about switching from IT audit to Financial audit? If I'm a senior and I got the chance to transition as a financial audit senior? Would it be difficult as well? Will it be something you go against?

[@PaulZougras]

Great video you two! I am currently in the process of completing all of the 4 CPA exams, but I always loved personal finance. What are your thoughts on becoming a CFP, once I finish the CPA exam?

[@TheFinancialController]

Great question. If you plan to work in your personal planning, yes, being a CPA in addition to a CFP, having multiple designations make you more competitive within your field. Nice.

[@belistallion7751]

That’s awesome. Where are you in the process? I just started reg

[@jayking6360]

I did not do any internships as an undergrad (BBA in Accounting), and I obtained my MS in Accounting online. How do you get noticed by any Big 4 firms in this scenario? .Most people in Public get started by doing internships.

[@hafsakhan5459]

Interesting video thanks you for helps us out. I have a question to ask can a person from non accounting, non taxation background start a carrer after studying CPA?

[@jasonlouis-jean5897]

Is Maria trying to be a Partner at the big 4 if she still staying in tax there.

[@camoewok3081]

Love this information. What are your thoughts on being in business consulting at a big four and the possible career options? I’m currently working an assurance position and was approached by a Big 4 firm about it but wasn’t sure about career path. I’m currently working on my CPA

[@DreamFirms]

Awesome insights!

[@an19101995]

Hi sir, im ACCA and bachelor in Auditing. I have been working for private accounting for 4 years in Malaysia. I plan to work in Canada and have 2 plans: 1. Apply to Financial analyst position. 2. Public accounting in Big 4. (Im willing to start as a junior for both plan) Please advise whether it is feasible for both plan. And advise any course i will have to pursue for each plan respectively. Many thanks

[@scotttaylor8006]

Hello, great video! I am currently working on my accounting under grad in Canada and I was wondering just how relevant is the material covered in my mandatory economics courses (micro or macro intro courses). I assume that you had to take a few intro economics courses in your degree. Do you think about the topics covered in these courses in your professional life very often? These courses may not be very relevant as an auditor but what about as a financial analyst? I am not very interested in economics but I love accounting! Scott

[@samarthchauhan7768]

Hi there! I wish to ask one question. I hope you respond. I am currently working at big 4 but from India and I am planning to complete my US CPA as an international student. I have 2 year of ongoing audit experience (from one big 4) and 2 year of project management experience (from another big 4) . Wanted to check your view on international student doing US CPA without being in the nation and do we have the scope of getting hired internationally?

[@narendragelli1035]

Hi bill please make a video on it audit as a career

[@TheFinancialController]

Sure

[@Bella-pb7hk]

@@TheFinancialController I second the motion. 😁 Looking forward on the IT audit side portion. 🙏🏻

[@ivanromero2275]

Hey man can you help me to clear something to myself. I am currently 36 years old married and have 3 kids. I am currently working in paying my debt so a can go to college and become an accountant. Am I too old if I want to start my education at 40-41 years old?

[@TheFinancialController]

Not too late at all. Zoom out a bit, and you can see that life expectancy for your age group will be around 85-90, so more than half your life is ahead of you. Don't let anyone tell you Can't do something...

[@michang7831]

Hi! I have a Q. I have been working as accountant in private company for 14 yrs, and I just did interview as client accounting supervisor at mid size CPA firm. They liked me, but said I would fit better in CIRA staff audit, so I am having another interview next week. What do you think of this transition? Career and salary? Also, I heard all Public accounting workers do “time sheet” since they get paid by time & talent. Is this true? I am not sure if I will like this whole change or not.

[@bikku945]

Yeah i waste my time in 4year degree BBA😅

[@DarkSplash99]

Bill and Maria, what is your opinion on getting a masters in accounting to fulfill the education requirement (150 credits) for the CPA license? Do you think it’s worth it or if need be, would it be better to just take some extra classes and focus on the exam afterwards?

[@TheFinancialController]

There is some debate on that. I chose the 150 non-master route. I was eager to go out there and earn. But if you have the luxury of not earning quick, masters is great.

[@tw2800]

Thank you so much for creating your channel.. Please tell me what carrier path in accounting would you recommend for someone who knows they ultimately want to start their own accounting firm.....Would you recommend after earning a Bachelors in accounting they work under a cpa in a public accounting firm for 2-3 years....pass the CPA exam, and then assuming they have adequate financial resources start their own private practice? Or is there a more streamlined path into private practice? Thank you!!!

[@TheFinancialController]

Will try to address in a video

[@tw2800]

@@TheFinancialController Thankyou!!!

[@TheB1uePr1nt]

Hi The Financial Controller, Thanks for the information! Quick question: I recently passed my CFE exam. I currently work at a mid-sized firm and was wondering if I should move to Big4 in order to better my exit opportunity. My question is: which will better my exit opportunity: manager at the mid-sized firm or get a senior associate position at Big4?

[@TheFinancialController]

What a great question! I will try to address in a video. But my gut tells me manager at mid size.

[@alfaisalsiddiqui7711]

Hello, I am a CPA and have experience in Canadian tax of about 4 years (Big 4). Recently I got a job offer to work with US Canada cross border tax role (non-Big 4). Which of these do you think has more scope from a growth and earnings perspective?

[@McJamEs209]

Thanks you the video a Q&A I have is what would be the best steps to become an accountant at a company like Google, Facebook, or any big teck and type of game plans that would work great?

[@TrYzRAID]

FTSE 100 or 20 companies typically look for candidates from big 4 or top 10 accountancy firms... you need to start your accounting carees at a big 4 or top 10 firm... otherwise youre going to have to climb up the ranks from an industry/ private role, even then, it will be very hard and you will need to be excellent

[@yursweets8742]

Hi MARIA & BILL I have an Internship Interview Friday for EY, Any tips? ( Super nervous- My first professional interview). Thank you.

[@TheFinancialController]

I would relax because for internship not much is expected of you. And it’s generally ok yo be awkward and clumsy as everyone knows you have a lot to learn. Just speak with pride about your academic achievements and what courses you enjoyed

[@yursweets8742]

@@TheFinancialController you were right, the interview went super well! Thank you

[@tatanacio91]

Great video! Learned a lot about the exit opportunities from public. What industries do you recommend to work in if my goal is to become a controller one day? I’m currently in the Financial Services group but I’m not sure if that is too limiting since it is a very niche industry.

[@TheFinancialController]

Hi. I like the software space as well as manufacturers.

[@tatanacio91]

@@TheFinancialController thanks! I’ll take that into consideration. In regards to switching audit industries within a public firm, do you think it’s a good idea to switch industries every year to get a broader experience or should I become more of an expert in one industry? Which way is better to become a controller?

[@christopherort3045]

Depends on your career path. I spent all of my 30 years in Industry. Never spend any time working in a firm.

[@TrYzRAID]

where are you at now/ what position and where did you start off in industry?

[@gregorygrey727]

I got my bachelors degree in accounting recently, I want to specialize in tax. What’s your thoughts of getting an Enrolled Agent license before attempting to get the CPA license?

[@TheFinancialController]

Not a bad idea. I will try to cover the topic

[@yo-2029]

I have been working as an auditor for one whole year and after my first busy season, I don’t have it in me to work as many hours as required. Do you think it’s a bad idea to switch to industry after just a single year in public accounting?

[@TheFinancialController]

Unless your mental health is suffering, do 2 full years

[@yo-2029]

@@TheFinancialController it really is, but it sounds like your advice is to do 2 years. I suppose I can still push through somehow!

[@MG-tb1kz]

Hi my son is hoping to do a 4 year business degree in Ireland with a major in accounting, then he has to study for an additional 3 tol 4 years to become chartered accountant, Is this worth it? Many thanks

[@TheFinancialController]

Yes. I think the 3-4 years you mentioned though is the experience requirement

[@sandeepsinghsomvanshi346]

Hello sir I'm from India and semi qualified chartered accountant, can you give me any part time work related to account and finance

[@aradhanasima]

Hi Bill, I am working as an Accounts Payable Specialist in a biotech company in Boston, MA. My wish to go finance analyst ot staff accountant. I hace studied MBA in Finance but have no experience i finance. Please advise on carreer or course to lead the way. Thanks

[@TheFinancialController]

Good question. I will try to talk about this in video soon

[@paulyermish7692]

Currently have a transfer pricing internship and there’s very little info out there on exit opps, what’s learned, etc

[@mahmoudalshami1557]

Hi can I ask you?

[@husseinmustafa5326]

Why car !!?

[@handicrafts221]

Accountant information

[@devkumar17]

Full waste of your time in Big4

[@suzy5166]

Accounting is pretty much the same principles around the world! There are variations but it's not a rocket science! Depends on individual's preference.