Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
September 29, 2023

Why Are People at Big 4 Firms So Elitist? A Rant

Here’s a fun one from Fishbowl today:

Thankfully someone pointed out how bizarre it is for someone to have worked at Big 4, a small firm, and GT, BDO, and RSM. OP clarified that they only worked for Grant Thornton — which they called “awful and primitive” — and lumped similar size firms together as an example of the type of firm they had experience working for.

The comments were disappointingly tame and lacking elitism of any kind.

What’s so elite about Big4? [Fishbowl]

Latest Accounting Jobs--Apply Now:

Have something to add to this story? Give us a shout by email, Twitter, or text/call the tipline at 202-505-8885. As always, all tips are anonymous.

3 Comments

  1. It is not entirely true. I know of former Big4 excutives that are humble and kind. The part that they get paid the most is not true either–it’s a corporate world/capitalist world out there!

  2. To the guy who said, “we get paid the most.” Lol, that’s not really true. I worked in a local firm literally across the street from KPMG and the late AA. Our guys K-1s were twice what theirs were and we had no shortage of their trash applying for jobs. Not factoring in the whipping AA took when capital accounts disappeared or the hefty fines they paid. We had the last laugh when they were walking out of the building, boxes in hand. EY just paid $100 million for their latest shenanigans, that’s got to hit those K-1s. Now we see headlines literally everyday like, “KPMG singled out for declining audit quality.” Or, “Declining in quality’: auditors face scrutiny over string of scandals.” KPMG’s report on GE, “PWC probably did celebrate when it helped Mattel cover up an accounting error.” “PWC would appreciate it if staff would stop getting drunk in the office.” Etc, etc, etc. What about that audit report EY did on Lehman Bros? There is something to be proud of. These guys haven’t produced a product worth a crap in years. Big four people remind me of really religious people. If you have to tell people you are something, you’re probably not.

Comments are closed.

Related articles

dog walker with five dogs

Friday Footnotes: EY’s Six CEO Candidates; Deloitte UK Partner Payouts Increase Again; IIA Gets Their Way | 9.29.23

Footnotes is a collection of stories from around the accounting profession curated by actual humans and published every Friday at 5pm Eastern. While you’re here, subscribe to our newsletter to get the week’s top stories in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday. See ya. CPA Exam Friendly reminder, deadlines to apply for BEC before the […]

Prager Metis building in Decentraland

Prager Metis Just Got Thoroughly Boned By the SEC For Hundreds of Independence Violations

It’s not every day you get to witness a firm getting hit with HUNDREDS of independence violations in one fell swoop. Well today Prager Metis got the independence violation high score in an SEC complaint alleging a mess of them. From the SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against accounting firm Prager […]