Ed. note: Have a question for the career advice brain trust? Email us at advice@goingconcern.com.
Here’s an issue I rarely see. I joined PwC management consulting right out of my Ivy League school, and have my undergrad degree in Economics. I loved it, worked hard, made manager in five years and worked for some huge clients. I did all of the extras, methodology writing, promotion committees, coaching, proposals, etc. Managed some huge high profile projects too. Was offered a slot at PwC’s new executive MBA program, and was in the alpha class, graduating with a concentration in Marketing (picked by the firm). But then we had huge post 9/11 layoffs, were spun off and bought by IBM. I left soon after to start a family. I was there nearly ten years.
I went back to school and got my MSAT, and now am halfway through my CPA exam, acing it thanks to my teaching and experience. I’ve been teaching accounting and tax at a major university for the past four years as an adjunct, and doing a little private consulting.
Can I get back in to Big 4? Do I do it as an experienced hire? I know I’ve never been a practicing auditor but I know the methodology and how to manage large engagements. What’s the best way for me to work my way back in? My former colleagues are all at IBM or have left. I am not eligible for on campus since I graduated with my latest masters in 2009.
Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: not every circumstance in the history of circumstances has been taken into consideration when making this statement:
Public accounting – you can always come back.
The flow of people out of public accounting is much more intense and consistent than the experienced hire onboards, but that’s not to say it’s impossible. I did a little searching on LinkedIn and realized that you live in the greater New York City area, which is to your advantage. Many of the Big 4’s support staffs are located in NYC, so there might be options in those areas of the firms if a return to client servicing is not possible. so your odds of finding an opportunity and a new home with one of the Big4 improve slightly. Start with searching their Experienced Hire websites for open opportunities. Links are below:
Deloitte
E&Y
KPMG
PwC
Scour LinkedIn for experienced hire recruiters within each firm and reach out to them directly; have them hear your story. Most importantly, be persistent. The experienced hiring model within the Big 4 is can be touch and go, especially considering the recent uncertainty in the economy.
My general go to is “Hey – when you have the brainpower can I have 5 minutes to chat about X please?”
And I only send messages when I see they are marked as available (and occasionally offline), not when marked as Busy/DND.
A vote for “ping” or “…” – given the use of screen sharing over Zoom, it can be useful to give the recipient a chance to hide their chat window off screen share.
“we need to discuss Steve’s poor performance immediately”
*Steve is watching screen*
So I had something kinda like this happen. Big boss had his iMessage connected to the spare Mac in my office that my coworker sometimes used. Coworker motions me over one day because all these messages are popping up between my boss and big boss, my boss was talking MAD shit in texts about me, my coworker, pretty much everyone in the department. I didn’t stick around much longer after that.
100% This! Dealing with busy season burn out – waiting for them to type that whole message gave me so much anxiety.
If talking is faster than typing, and you’re in a big fucking hurry because you’re soooo busy, then why not just call the person you need to communicate with?
I know, I know…”Tell me you’re an old fart without telling me you’re an old fart.”