The general opinion around big 4 is that the work/life balance is shit, and the pay varies from average to above average. Where can we go from here? Have people switched to a different industry, li...

The general opinion around big 4 is that the work/life balance is shit, and the pay varies from average to above average. Where can we go from here? Have people switched to a different industry, like FMCG (not specifically)? Does it pay more? Is the work culture better?

Where do we go from here?

Consultant

Where do we go from here?- Grapevine

Why do so many people work in the Big 4 given that you have to work so many hours and your work life balance doesn’t exist.

Is having a Big 4 on your CV really worth all of that hassle and not having a life in your 20s? 

What about you guys? What are your personal reasons for staying with the big 4?

Why do you work in the Big 4? [Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG]

Product Manager

It would be easy to find out who I am if I say anything more but I have worked in cross-collaborative roles across my careers spanning multiple decades in Big4s. I have led several projects for Govt of India and Public Sector Organizations. Personally I have worked in multidisciplinary fields mostly in IT and Databases. I have recently worked in Solution designing and Enterprise Architecture for many large orgs. Most of this is Digital strategy for many offline first businesses.

Ask me Anything!

I am a Partner at PWC. Ask me Anything.

Consulting Associate

What company has good perks, work life balance and growth.
I am in EY and interviewing at pwc, delloite and LTImindree.

Has anyone worked in Ey,pwc and deloitte for guidewire role?

Lead Consultant

Was always curious to know, what is this buzz all about.....

Why do people stay in big 4?

Software Developer

I'm working with Ernst & Young for around 4 years now. Great working culture, great flexibility, decent salary. I work in international Taxation. 

I haven't started exploring opportunities outside,  but I was curious to understand if I should apply to finance startup companies or stick to Big 4 company.

I am looking for more salary, interesting role, more learning, I can put in maximum hours on a daily basis, prefer 2 week wfh/ wfo. 

Please advise?

Ernst & Young or Finance startup

Analyst

1. You’re not in Big 4 for the money early in your career. Your 20s should be spent laying the foundations of your career in your late 20s to early 40s.

2. Money will never be fantastic compared to industry. People aren’t paying Big 4s for expertise, they’re paying for temporary / agile resource allocation or because something requires external parties (e.g., external audit, independent reviews etc.).

3. You can absolutely succeed outside the Big 4, but YMMV. For every industry success story, there’s always someone who worked at a great company but got stuck playing musical chairs, screwed by a restructure, thrown under terrible leadership or just lacked that sweet serendipity that everyone needs to score that next promotion. The Big 4 by comparison provided structured training and career progression. The price you pay for this is money and work life balance.

4. Recruiters love ex big 4 hires just like why they love CAs. It’s a reliable stamp on someone’s CV to shows that someone’s gone through an appropriate level of professional training and professional experiences. For example when hiring an experienced senior / manager I’d be comfortable that they’d have experience coaching new staff, people managing, advising senior leaders or even navigating complex political environments.

5. Networking and its benefits are never felt immediately. The people who realise this too late are always the ones who get caught with their pants down in the middle of job interviews or complex matters at work. They often have no friends, peers or ex colleagues to turn to for advice or just as a general sounding board. You’ll realise just how many people you know in various companies/roles once you leave the Big 4.

Lessons from my Big 4 manager

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I have total 9 YOE and Accenture is my second company. I have spent more than 6.5 years in Accenture and currently at level 9. My total package is 16.5 (15 fixed+ 1.5 variable) . I work in Accenture Operations. I believe my package is low. Moreover Accenture India employees didn't get any increment in base salary this year. 
I have to buy house, car and manage my household expenses for nearly 11 members. What should I do?

I feel I am under paid. What should I do?

Software Engineer

Welcome to Business Roles's Private Community

I'm a lawyer at a law firm in India - 2 YOE, about INR 24 lakhs pa. The money is great for my age, obviously, but the hours can be truly soul crushing.

Are there former lawyers here who've made the switch? Are you experiencing a big financial upside/ downside?

Law -> MBA

Lawyer

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

I am into 2nd job and have been 6 months in this job. 1sr job was a very small duration of 6 months. 
Now I feel frustrated about working for such corporates who doesn't even care about personal health. Long hours on few occassions should be fine but for very long it is not fine. 

Please guide on the same if I will be judged basis this if I plan to switch again. ?

Judgement

Finance Consultant

Welcome to IT Company Discussion's Private Community

I have seen so many posts, on Grapevine alone, of how people are being harrassed and traumatized in their companies. And honestly, reading all those posts and comments scare the hell out of me because I haven't been subjected to or witnessed anything like this.

Let me share the experience I have had till now:

I have ~2 YOE, and Capgemini is my first company. I know the pay isn't great, but that's the only thing I don't like about the company. 

The people I have met or worked with in the entirety of my time here, they are supportive, kind, and considerate. Every single one of them, including the managers/directors. They don't expect you to work late hours or on weekends, unless there are critical escalations/important deadlines.

My manager gives out words of thanks and appreciation, even on the smallest of things (yes he talks strictly too, and usually I am at the wrong when this happens, nothing major though). I get all the support that I need. I don't have to worry about the work life balance.

I have never had a single issue with a teammate, and most of them are seniors whom I work with. No big egos, no attitude, nothing. They help out whenever I reach out to them.

And it is the same story on my client side as well. 

I have worked/interacted with both male and female leaders, and all I have ever seen among everyone is empathy, respect for everyone's work, and always ready to help nature.

I understand that this is all just my experience, but my reason for writing this post is to share a positive experience and that there are still good people around here.

Maybe I am the odd one out (on the happier side)

Here is something I can tell you about bias. It is human nature to be very emotional and complain when things are bad and not talk about it too much when things are good.  
  
 Forums like Grapevine and Blind are filled with unhappy posts because of this reason. Most people complain when things are bad. Hardly anyone praises when things are good. For every bad post you see here, I am sure people are out there having a good time at work.  
  
 Treat this with a pinch of salt and live out your career, you only have one. Don’t be bogged down and settle because you are scared of the unknown.

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

This is not a question for the cocky new grad in the overvalued startup, but for the few seasoned PMs that still reply out here.

Where do PMs go after they peak?

By peaking I mean arriving at a GPM or Staff PM position at the top 10-15 companies (you can do your own ranking here).

Nobody has the true statistics but I will use the assumption that 75% (debatable) of those who peak, will get laid off within 2 years from their ‘peak role’. The remaining will be able to progress into DoP and VP in the same top company or another in the top 15.

Where do they go then?

I am pretty positive, from experience, that they don’t go any up.

Do they go down the ladder of new startups for titles and ending up in the worst ones after being laid off 4-5 times? Do they quit all together?

Do they open a farm?

Do they start their own startup?

Comments and thoughts folks!

Where Do PMs Go After They Peak?

I am currently evaluating offers from both KPMG and E&Y for internal audit. While I have my own marks for both of the firms, need your inputs on the following. You may also rate on a scale of 1-10 for the following aspects.

1. Work Life balance
2. Quality of work
3. Culture and how people are treated
4. Pay

Thank you.

Which is best amongst EY and KPMG for Internal Audit

Business Associate

Hi, I am recently promoted as senior consultant in a Big 4, Transfer pricing divison (tax) waiting for annual hike and bonus.

Fixed 12L, Variable 1.5L.

Experience 2.5 years

What are other big 4s paying for Similar experience?

Transfer pricing senior consultant Big 4

Transfer Pricing

I've heard lots of conflicting good and bad viewpoints on ISB on Grapevine and otherwise. I want to explore these things more and build a balanced perspective.

Good things I've heard:-
1. Average comp is decently high as most of the batch has a decent amount of experience.
2. Professors, their way of teaching and the actual course content is one of the best in India.
3. The network is really strong, easily accessible via many channels and helps alumni land jobs frequently.

Bad things I've heard:-
1. Placement comp numbers are heavily inflated.
2. Resume shortlisting in placements is hard because everyone exaggerates a lot and there's no resume vetting.
3. Many people go unplaced.

How much of this (good or bad) is true? Any other good or bad points?

How good/bad is ISB?

I personally feel that Big 4 has cornered the market for a lot of entry level professionals. It is somehow considered that Big 4 is a prestigious job ( but, without the prestigious pay lmao). I personally feel that these companies need to be disrupted so hard by a small and lean team using tech to solve problems at their scale and F them over to teach them a lesson on their complacency.

Why does Big 4 underpay their employees?

No promotion, no good ratings... inspite of doing so much hardwork and contributions. Feedback: My manager had expected that I should have handled my area independently without anyone's support. And the best part is everyone in team is asking my help..lol. Dont know if they are expecting this from an Analyst..what will happen in future!!!!

Feeling demotivated!

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

I have see many lists of places to work at. Let’s create a list of companies not to work at. Please post the company name and the experience of working their.

Where do we go from here?

Discover More

Big 4 on

by Coy Nadeen

EY

Why do you work in the Big 4? [Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG]

AMA on

by Aaron Everett

PWC

I am a Partner at PWC. Ask me Anything.

Big 4 on

by Kendall Gabriel

EY

Has anyone worked in Ey,pwc and deloitte for guidewire role?

Big 4 on

by Isaiah Everett

Adobe

Why do people stay in big 4?

Bangalore on

by Kendall Everett

EY

Ernst & Young or Finance startup

Big 4 on

by Karilyn Gabriel

EY

Lessons from my Big 4 manager

Software Engineers on

by Jordon Lee

Accenture

I feel I am under paid. What should I do?

Business Roles on

by Karilyn Nadeen

Law firm

Law -> MBA

Office Gossip on

by Kendall Everett

Others

Judgement

IT Company Discussion on

by Anise Everett

Stealth

Maybe I am the odd one out (on the happier side)

Product Managers on

by Anise Carmden

EY

Where Do PMs Go After They Peak?

Business Roles on

by Blair Olive

Deloitte

Which is best amongst EY and KPMG for Internal Audit

Business Roles on

by Matilda Lee

EY

Transfer pricing senior consultant Big 4

Business Roles on

by Blair Everett

Startup

How good/bad is ISB?

Big 4 on

by Jordon Denver

Gojek

Why does Big 4 underpay their employees?

Big 4 on

by Jordon Olive

Deloitte

Feeling demotivated!

Indian Startups on

by Kendall Carmden

IVY Comptech

Top 100 places not to work at!