masagoody:
It's that time of the year when offer letters fly left, right and center for the big 4. many graduate trainees resume in the third or fourth quarter of the year, (notably kpmg in September and PWC in August & October) Amidst all the excitements, there could be some nudgings and silent questions when you start reading up about life at the big4. most of the stories and experiences shared about challenging work hours, crazy deadlines, sleepless nights, high expectations, extreme professionalism and diligence could make you question if you are really prepared for this. Then you factor in the fact that your primary work location is majorly in LAGOS. It may not be easy, but some persons are thriving. This thread is for those who have or are currently working with the big4. how has it been for you so far?. how do you stay afloat?. what are the major challenges?, and what would you advice those just about to enter to watch out for. congrats to those who just got the offers.
Let's share....

Depot:
I am never an employee, always employer. Hustling sure pass as correct Igbo guy. U can never make it big as an employee. Being an employee makes you lazy. You always believe u gonna earn pea nut at the end of every month. And that impression will not allow you to hustle further.

missKiffy:

Pls what do you mean by the big 4

DMilanista:
Jarus has said it all. For ICAN/ACCA, it's compulsory if u are going into tax, audit, accounting and financial advisory. Though, u need not be certified before coming in for audit and tax, but u v to be chartered before coming in for accounting and financial advisory.
We look forward to seeing u all.

missKiffy:

Pls what do you mean by the big 4

MarvellousGod:
.. you go like the topic na...


I have heard about the crazy deadlines, working on weekends sometimes, travelling esp for those in audit...

But me thinks that no matter how challenging it's, there's just so much to learn..the exposure too..

Besides, no work is easy these days ooo.. you must make an impact before you're paid... ssooo? If you don't want to be under any form of pressure, then have your own business shikena

Jarus:
I never worked in any of them, but I'm somehow close to them. I have friends in all of them and I also have professional relationship with them as I have had to work with all of them as consultants to different companies I have worked for.

They are all a good place to work for. One of the best places anyone can work. The pay not so juicy but you have solid training and you have brand that can earn you opportunities in the future.

Yes, they have crazy deadlines, sometimes work on weekends. On a lighter note, they also brush you up and refine you from your ayam English to a (locally acquired) fonee speaking fellow that speaks from the nose.


ICAN/ACCA is not compulsory if you don't plan to go into auditing and tax. Advisory people hardly need all these.

pomporiking:


Epl,bundesliga,Serie a and La liga

Iamsynord:
What is a Big4 ??

deturla:



I so Love this Bae.

..Coming with details of the experience Inna bit!

Yeahreen:
Just here to read comments

lolaredvelvet:


Really.. I'm currently doing ACCA but not planning to go into auditing nor tax. Just trying to become a fully qualified chartered accountant. I just hope I'm not wasting my time and resources. Hmm

veave:
My brother has an Msc in economics. What courses can he take to be employable by the big4 please. And how long will each of them last?

veave:
My brother has an Msc in economics. What courses can he take to be employable by the big4 please. And how long will each of them last?

Jarus:


If you "just want to", there is no problem in it. Like I earlier said, it is not compulsory except you're going into the aforementioned fields.

There is no harm in doing it just for the sake of doing it. It broadens your horizon, and makes you versatile, and it can make a difference in future job search.

Personally, I never set out to be an accountant, I just started ICAN just to keep myself busy during my service year...but that was what got me job after NYSC, and I ended up being an accountant all my post-NYSC career. That was accidental. So you never can tell.

lolaredvelvet:


Similarly to you, I also began doing ACCA just to keep myself busy after my boss retired.. I was a fresh graduate working as an administrative PA .. when the job came to an end I didn't know what to do next and didn't wanna just go do masters for the sake of it..

.. after much prayers and thinking I felt I should go the professional route hence why I enrolled for ACCA. It's all new to me though.. my degree wasn't based in finance.. I did management and marketing.

Hoping ACCA would open new doors for me like ICAN did for you.

kkmny81:
Masonkz has said it all. Worked @ pwc for 4 years. Those were the best and worst years of my life. As you move up grades much more is expected of u. Key is being able to manage perception. Stress level is at roof level during peak periods when year end audit is ongoing (usually between Dec & March) afterwhich there is calm and more flexible work. You also get to work with the best brains in the industry, and have the best nights out on the island. Pay is nothing to write home about but the experience and exposure i got in those 4 years, i will not trade for anything.
@Jarus, I worked with u during the 2008 & 2009 Audit...no shout o!
@masonkz, are u still there? which BU?

kkmny81:
Masonkz has said it all. Worked @ pwc for 4 years. Those were the best and worst years of my life. As you move up grades much more is expected of u. Key is being able to manage perception. Stress level is at roof level during peak periods when year end audit is ongoing (usually between Dec & March) afterwhich there is calm and more flexible work. You also get to work with the best brains in the industry, and have the best nights out on the island. Pay is nothing to write home about but the experience and exposure i got in those 4 years, i will not trade for anything.
@Jarus, I worked with u during the 2008 & 2009 Audit...no shout o!

@masonkz, are u still there? which BU?

Iamsynord:
What is a Big4 ??

Jarus:



Na una dey disturb me with impossible schedules.

Jarus:



I studied Economics in school. I hated accounting like sh*t from secondary school through university.

I never for the life of me thought it was accounting job that will put food on my table.

I don't like being idle, and rather than waste my 1 year in a village in the North during my NYSC year, I decided to register for ICAN and keep myself busy.

I won prizes in the first stage I wrote and put it on my CV.

Fiam, it didn't take 2 weeks after NYSC before I got an accounting job, because of that. And all my 7 years post-NYSC career since then has been accounting job.