 
			 
              
                
                CA  CMA  CS-Professional
                
                   337 Points
                   Joined December 2010
                
               
			  
			  
             
            
             
	Well, this question has been asked "n" number of times by many CA Students.
	We think after completing IPCC, firms would be waiting for us to take us in their firm and that Big 4 has so many vacancies and they will surely take you.
	But the harsh fact is, its true that Big 4 have many seats available for articles, but also ten times more applicants to get themselves in. This is the reason why even for being called for an interview, you need good connections in the firm you are looking for. And the requirements of Big 4 are also high.
	And talking about choosing between Big 4 and Mid Size Firms, both have their Pros and Cons.
	Lets start with Big 4
	Pros:
	1. Corporate Culture
	2. Good Clientele
	3. Good Stipend
	4. Assured Job in the same Firm after clearing Final CA, etc
	5. Weightage in your CV for doing your articleship from Big 4
	 
	Cons:
	1. Repetative work
	2. Late sitting most of the time (Especially in E&Y)
	3. Long hierarchy of Managers. Which means you hardly interact with the partner.
	4. Outstation Audits for a long time. May involve skipping your classes.
	 
	now coming to Mid-size (Which I had mentioned in this thread)
	Pros:
	1. Flexibility in getting holidays, half days ,etc
	2. More time to study. Some firms offers even 5 months holiday for CA Final.. Dont ask the name :P
	3. Direct Interaction with Partners and also Client's Managers. I have communicated with GM/DGM Finance of many companies.
	4. Opportunity to work in all areas of Audit and a great exposure.
	5. Free time when its off-season.
	 
	Cons:
	1. There may be only a few Big clients. There can also be some Private Ltd Cos of whose audit you may have to do. But personally I have experienced that you learn more while doing audits of small companies.
	2.  Pathetic Stipend. (Though some of the firms I mentioned do provide good stipend too. For e.g. Chaturvedi Shah, Mahajan Aibara, etc)
	 
	So thats it.. Now you got to make a choice between the two.. but do remember that, for getting into even a Mid Size firm you need good reference as there are many more IPCC pass outs out there waiting to get into these firms.
	Practice well for the interview.
	Best of Luck.