Most of us as students have this big question running in our minds whether to be articled assistants under the Big 4 or Small or Medium sized firms. The articleship period is rightly the golden period of a CA student. Most of the learning happens in this period. This period boosts a student's confidence either to face the Corporate World or have an Individual Practice.
The Big 4 are: KPMG, EY, PWC and Deloitte, which are illustrative and under general parlance.
Let us make a comparison of the pros and cons.
|
Comparison |
Big 4 |
Small or Medium Sized Firms |
|
Practice or Full Time Job |
If taking up a Corporate job is on the cards, then joining Big 4 will be an added benefit . |
If practice is an area of interest then small and mid size firms will help in establishing your own practice. |
|
Field of Expertise |
If the area of expertise is specifically concentrated on one. Choosing Big 4 shall be convenient. |
If the area of expertise/exposure is more than one, choosing a small or medium size firm shall be feasible. |
|
Exposure to Multinational culture of work |
The exposure to MNC culture of work is available in Big 4. |
Most of the small or medium scale firm are not exposed to MNC culture. |
|
Work Pressure |
Since it is mostly a corporate oriented service the pressure of work is high and competitive. |
Work pressure is client oriented.. |
|
Stipend |
The stipend is higher than what has been recommended by ICAI |
Stipend is usually as recommended by ICAI. |
|
Study Time (The most important aspect) |
Undoubtedly the study time is as per schedule fixed by the firms. |
The study time is flexible. |
However it is the choice of the student considering one's ability to handle both study and articleship and strike a balance without compromising on quality of work and or underperformance in exams.
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