| Topic Name: |
Big 4 Firms and Beta Alpha Psi |
| Message Name: |
Not finding the article... |
| Date Posted: |
08/15/2005 |
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I think you will find this thread quite interesting. It appeared long ago at the following link:
http://forums.businessweek.com/bw-bschools/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E
Cbone's comment regarding having to explain the nature of his work is not new. The infamous LBS hedge-fund manager I mentioned said something similar to me, while also implying that accountants are, well, not so brilliant. Personally, I think it's the nature of the beast. Obviously, no junior accountant can learn what goes on in a certain type of business if he/she does not work there consistently. Clients should be more understanding of the role auditors play when they are out on the field. I have met some damn-smart folks who are accountants. |
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I think that, in general, people have pretty high expectations of Big 4 auditors (and they should). But, a fresh hire can't be expected to really "get it" all the time. But, I think it's a stretch to speak of Big 4 newbies as being unintelligent, useless drones, who couldn't cut it elsewhere.
That's stupid.
Cbone can explain the nature of his work all day long, since he's immersed in it constantly. Of course he gets it! And, it seems to me he feels really proud of that.
Well, cbone, I doubt you do anything that's so intellectually "out of the grasp" of the average Big 4 accountant. If there's something you think people like me just never will understand, please reveal.
An entry-level analyst position doesn't require a brain child you know. I could've snagged one of those jobs too.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not arguing that everyone in the Big 4 has a brilliant business mind, cut out for anything that comes their way.
But, it's silly to characterize the average Big 4 accountant as not so bright, useless, hollow-headed, annoyances that need to have every simple business transaction explained to them.
People who do have issues. In cbone's case, it may be that he's trying confirm the correctness of his choice to reject his Big 4 offer and instead become an analyst (making big money).
You see, if Cbone believes that Big 4 auditors are pretty dumb, then he feels better about not being there. His ability to "lecture" the auditors on seemingly simple business transactions makes him feel like he's far too gifted to be in the company of such zombies.
Look, I've met a LOT of people who work in the Big 4, and they're all bright people who could easily cut it in a lot of different jobs out there. For sure they'd cut it in cbone's job.
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