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What Would You Do If Your Boss Quit Tomorrow to Join a Big 4 Firm?

Posted on by Daniel Braddock

Ed. note: Looking for above average advice from some snide, know-it-all hipster doofi? Take a number by emailing your problems to advice@goingconcern.com and, if you're lucky, your position in the queue will still be in triple digits!

Hi GC,

I am going into my 7th busy season at a mid-tier ("MT") (2nd as a manger) and a B4 has been recruiting me heavily. Without sounding like a pompous ass, I am a top performer and have all the momentum and backing to make it to partner, as long as I don't screw up anything major. At the MT they are offering to promote me to senior manager at the end of this cycle, and said to plan for 12 years but it might be 11 to make partner (however the specifics were after they found out about B4). There are only 2 SM's really ahead of me. At the MT the focus is broader so I will work in the industry I want, but also on other jobs and it's harder to truly specialize and win business that way (which is the path to partner). Plus I'm concerned about leadership and strategy long term.

B4 is offering to put me in the specific industry group I want and put my name in for senior manager this cycle, but with no guarantees of promotion, but they want me because of industry experience i have, current needs and market facing moves I've made to date, showing my potential. But they have more people ahead of me in line who have been there longer. The big draw is expertise, resources, leadership, growth and client base, as well as brand and partner money.

I am going back and forth trying to make the right career decision. I want to stay in public accounting and be a partner (I know its ridiculous but I have been in long enough to make that decision clearly). The pros and cons make both about even. Is it better to go for the clearer path to partner with all my goodwill intact, or take the risk two weeks before busy season (thereby burning MT bridges with people I care about) to be truly credentialed and have better expertise, focus, branding, and potentially more money at the partner level but lower odds of making it?

Sincerely,

Mid-career crisis.

Dear Mid-Career Crisis –

Apologies for our delay in getting back to you. It’s not often we receive emails on Christmas Day that are for anything other than 60% off of bedding and parka jackets.  But there was your email…on Christmas Day. 

I had a lengthy pros and cons response drafted that I decided to scrap it.  Why? Because I think you’re better than bailing on your firm, partners, and staff of 6+ years. Man up, grow up, and do the right thing.  Do what you've sat and told so many junior staff people to in years past.

Stay at the mid-tier firm.  At least for now.

It’s not every day that I tell someone to pass up a better brand name with great upside and a bigger paycheck.  However, most people don’t look to jump ship moments before their work schedule is bound to hit the annual iceberg.

Look, I get it – jumping to the Big 4 right now would set you up to play the part of B-list action hero, providing the Big Boy with an extra set of talented hands during the most crucial months.  Instead, you will being throwing up a giant middle finger to your current firm.  And like you mentioned, you can kiss goodbye all of the goodwill you’ve worked to build. No one worth being associated with at your current firm would hold a grudge against you if the timing was different.  You have an excellent opportunity on your hands. Said opportunity will most likely be there after busy as well, which is exactly why you should wait.

If you’re going to stay at the mid-tier firm, get in touch with your contact at the Big 4 immediately.  Speak with and break the news to the partner you’ve been in contact with most, trusting HR to communicate your plans is stupid idea. Be straight with the partner – you are very interested in transitioning your career to his/her firm after busy season. Put the situation back on them, in that you hope they can understand that loyalty and respect mean something to you in the workplace and you cannot justify standing up your current firm at (literally) the last moment before busy season.  Assuming you are the caliber employee you claim to be and knowing that the Big 4 constantly has needs, this shouldn’t be a problem.  Does it put them in a bind for busy season?  Meh…nothing compared to what you’d do to the firm you currently call home.  Plus, this will buy you a few more months to weigh the potential of the move itself.

If this becomes a long-term deal breaker between you and the Big 4 firm, ask yourself – is that the kind of soulless firm you’d want to work for anyway?  Keep us updated on your situation.

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Big 4 Recruiting Season: Career Fair Tips

Got a question for the career advice brain trust? Email us at advice@goingconcern.com.

Good afternoon, GC’ers. I’m going to be devoting posts to general campus recruiting advice this week. College students – listen up. Already-employed cohorts – chime in with your own advice. Today I’m going to cover Career Fairs, everyone’s favorite meat market.


Questions you should be ready for – “Did you submit your resume through Career Services? Did you submit our firm’s additional paperwork? When do you graduate? What office are you interested in? Will you be CPA eligible up graduation? What practice are you interested in?” If you know what practiced you’ sure to have your paperwork submitted through the necessary online means. Don’t know what you’re applying for? Read below…

Know what you’re applying for – Nothing worse than talking to a student who is, “Uhhhhhhh, you know, I’m open to anything.” To me, that means you are unfamiliar with my firm’s services and you’re standing in line like a lemming because you know it’s good for you. Do you homework ahead of time about what practice groups are being targeted on your campus. Here’s a hint – focus on the job posts that are on your Career Services site; this is what each firm is focused on and actively recruiting for from your particular school. Don’t see Transaction Advisory Services listed? Probably ain’t gonna happen.

Suit up – Take a piece of advice from Barney Stinson and rock a suit to the Fair. It doesn’t need to be an expensive suit; heck, it doesn’t even have to be yours. Personally, I’m not a fan of the trend of suits becoming the norm at career fairs but it is better to match your competition than to assume “different is better.” Accounting firms are not Google; they breed a conservative culture. Play along, at least until you have an offer.

In an effort to avoid this becoming an Esquire-like blog post, I’ll keep my suit advice simple.

Ladies: Make sure your blouse is comfortably but securely buttoned, and take the potential of taller recruiters (aka wandering eyes) into consideration. Also, avoid hot magenta or any other color that would be included in a pack of highlighters.

Gents: That Calvin Klein tag on the outside of your jacket’s left sleeve? Yeah, that’s supposed to come off. Also, be sure to open your pockets and jacket vents before going to the Fair. It’s always awkward to see a guy trying to stuff a business card into a sewn up pocket.

Relax. Don’t sweat it. – Really, I mean that. Few things are more repulsive than shaking the moist hand of an anxious student. It can get hot at career fairs, I know. You can do a couple of things to chill out if you have a sweating problem: 1) Hold you résumé folder in your left hand and keep your right hand out of your pocket. This will let your hand breathe. 2) Small talk the person next you – it will help both of you relax. 3) A good swipe of your right hand on the back of your leg when you know your turn is coming up is totally fair game.

Always mints, never gum – There’s a good chance you’ll have to wait in line at the Big 4 booths. As you’re waiting in the mass herd of people, pop a few Tic Tacs or mints (avoid Altoids – too strong). They’ll help you relax and will be gone before you start speaking to the recruiter.

Business cards = cheat sheets – Ask for business cards when you meet with the professionals at the career fair (note – if they don’t have any, just remember to get their name so you can take notes later). Generally speaking, they are alums from your school and are excited to be back on campus and they can be a great resource going forward. They will also be at other events, even as early as the same week as the career fair. In between visiting booths, take two minutes to scribble notes on the back of the business card to help you remember who they were. “Black hair.” “Red glasses.” “Talked about baking.” “Mentioned she was an Eagles fan.” Reviewing these cards prior to next week’s firm-sponsored social event on campus will help you remember the connections much better.

Find out when they’ll be back – The five minutes you spend with the recruiters and professionals at the career fairs are not enough to earn yourself an interview. It is imperative you make personal connections with members of each firm. Beta Alpha Psi presentations. Cheesy happy hour mixers. Whatever. Go, shake hands, and laugh at their jokes. Earn yourself an interview.

Remember your manners – Thank everyone for their time. As happy to be on campus as they may be, many of the professionals will put in hours for work back at their hotels later that night. It is not always easy for them to take time off from work to make the trips back, so have a little respect for their time and their neglected inboxes.

Have anything to add? Email us or leave your comments below.