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Which of the Big4 to choose ?

CA Sonia Ahuja (Chartered Accountant) (269 Points)

23 July 2011

Hi !

i have cleared my CA in this May exam and i am confused on the following issues :

1. Which of the big CA firms are better , where can one grow professionally ?

2. which of the field is apt . Statutory Audit or indirect Tax or Accounting Advisory ? Which has better future prospects and professional growth?

Please consider the fact that travelling outside the city should be minimal .

Please guys help me resolve the issue ....

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7 Replies

Arihanth Jain (Chartered Accountant) (1226 Points)
Replied 23 July 2011

Firstly congratulations for clearing CA. Wish you a happy career ahead.

Which area is better/interesting is upto individual's perception. One may like taxatation, other may like audits.

Would suggest you just decide where you want to be in future like practice, service etc.,

One can even grow being in service in an industry.

More or less all major firms including big-4's provides only the platform, its upto us how we explore the same.

So finally I would say decide what you like rather than where you wanna be placed...!

2 Like

CA Sonia Ahuja (Chartered Accountant) (269 Points)
Replied 23 July 2011

ok ur'e point taken as to individual' decision with regards to the profile but i am a litlle worried about the firm that i choose becuase i hv come across people who hv varied instances ..and so I want to join a firm that is employee friedly..i mean i obviously dont expect much bt ya evryday workng late hrs is also nt accpetable...So I dont knw whether E & Y is a good option..and wrt to PWC , i really hv no clue what place it stands in the market and whethr it would serve a brand that i intend to gt

CA Sonia Ahuja (Chartered Accountant) (269 Points)
Replied 23 July 2011

Arihanth Jain (Chartered Accountant) (1226 Points)
Replied 23 July 2011

Workload at times is high & we have to stay back lil long after working hrours.

But its not forever, just in initial years I guess.

I'm not sure which one is more friendly. Suggest try to analyse which one will give more opportunity to grow.

Tejas (M.Com CA CS CFA (US) Prog. Grad..) (354 Points)
Replied 23 July 2011

I have done my articles from Deloitte for 3.5 yrs. If you want audit, the only two options are EY and Deloitte. Dont go to PwC coz yet they have not entirely recovered from the Satyam disaster. KMPG is lil behind the other 2 in terms of revenue, processes and clients.

My advice is as follows:

EY is more professional and strict

Deloitte is more people friendly and flexible

Generally women are considered and not sent to outstation audit but that depends. Sometimes if you have a crazy senior, you cant help it. Deloitte was sensitive. I think most people will be.

Indirect Taxes:

I would advise that if you want to do a career in IDT, first start in a medium/small firm. Learn a lot there and then go to a big4 where you will be treated as an expert in it then.

Accounting Advisory:

I would suggest do a course in IFRS before you go to AA, coz its gonna be the next big thing in Accounting. So thats it.

5 Like

CA Sonia Ahuja (Chartered Accountant) (269 Points)
Replied 26 July 2011

Thanks Tejas & Arihanth..

Mr. Tejas..The thing is I have not done my articles from a very big firm. So though there was enormous exposure in Audit but Taxation (indirect) is not where i have done much work apart from calculation and return filing, etc. I just wanted to know if there is huge scope in the big4's with regards to this segment ?

Also, with the IFRS implementation , what do you think where would that segment stand once the implementation procedure is done...though i understand that implementation will take lot of time but does that sector see growth as much as IDT ?

would b grateful if u could advice on the issue

Arihanth Jain (Chartered Accountant) (1226 Points)
Replied 26 July 2011

Well coming to the first part, I believe articleship at a small place is all fine. B'coz it only shows us how the real profession seems to be. Frankly there are many students who have qualified but with not much exposure in various areas. So please remove the feeling inside you that your some how less than who has done articles at a big place. Obviously there will be difference but if one has interest in some area, they can start even post qualification to mature/expertise in such area.

Secondly, each area (let it be IFRS or IDT or DT or even take just Company law compliance) is standalone big enough to be explored with wide updates almost every day. So once you think about become a expert in an area and analyse it in a depth then its never small to other areas. The scope between such areas will only be different but not small or big. I dont think that because of IFRS, IDT scope reduces.

Finally as I earlier mentioned you decide what you wish to perceive as a professional. Thats the most important thing. Try to read/update yourself after you decide and follow as told by Mr Tejas for which firm to choose. Rest will fall in place with time.

2 Like