In regards to it being difficult to move directly from Big 4 Audit into Investment Banking or MBB consulting, I suppose a better option could be to leverage your position within the Big 4 to transfer internally for a few years into Corporate Finance or a certain avenue of Consulting after qualification and build a network and gain some experience. After a few years of this, and enjoying the benefits of Big 4 managerial status, you'd likely be in a far better position to make a leap across to larger, more specialist firms in the areas you're interested in.
Glad you enjoyed it! I've just released a video on moving into consulting specifically - check it out! Let me know if there is any other content you'd like to see.
There's one exit opportunity you forgot to mention, and that is academia. I know most people in my country South Africa that have existed auditing for lecturing.
I recently joined big 4 in Canada not thinking about the leave. The grow, learning opportunity and health benefits are good here but maybe in the future I'll go back to Europe or Poland and this can definitely top up my resume. Thank you for this content
@@JamesAlberts I'm considering to choose between ACCA and CPA Aus. I'm currently a CFA level 2 Feb 2022 candidate and also heading to Corporate Finance, or Investment Banking, M&A in the long run. Hope you can have a detailed video about differences between ACCA and other certifications. Thanks!
@@JamesAlberts Maybe a comparison between Big 4 and Mid tier-firms? As a lot of people don't actually go to the big 4, but there's not many videos on for example firms like GT/BDO, which are still big but not as big
@@JamesAlberts im currently doing an ACA training contract for a medium sized accounting firm, in the internal audit department. Only done a month of work so far but I do not think Internal audit will be something I would want to do once I am qualified, would the exit opportunities you list in the video still apply to me or would there be alternatives? Thanks!
@@wasabisparten3659 The opportunities will still be open for you, but I think some areas such as Corporate Finance and Investment Banking may be slightly harder. Whereas, you might have a lot of good process experience for consultancy!
Thanks, Anne - glad you enjoyed it. I wouldn't consider it to be a step back at all. You will earn less money, however, if it's a career you are more passionate about and want to pursue - go for it! Are you thinking of making the move?
@@JamesAlberts yes all the videos have been so helpful. I’m thinking of making the move because I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some more project/BA experience
I’m a graduate from a non-finance field so these exit opportunities don’t have a lot of meaning to me yet. I don’t know what I want to do really (maybe something outside of finance completely) and I’m not sure if I have the finance knowledge to succeed in these roles. I do however have an audit grad job offer, would you recommend I give it a try? How useful are the skills I would obtain for moving into completely different roles?
Big 4 is the worst place on earth to even start your career especially after graduating. Such a toxic environment, unhealthy and crappy. Leave as soon as possible, don't think about opportunities. Mental health comes first. always.
I'm planning to leave the big 4 to work in house in accounting. Would you say the busy periods only last for a week at the end of every month and basically January is always busy?
What other exit opportunities would you like to hear about? Don't forget to download the 'BIG 4 Exit Opportunity Cheat Sheet' 👉 bit.ly/3lgQmtW
I’ve tried 2 email addresses and still haven’t received my cheat sheet
@@martinlewis1902 drop me a DM on LinkedIn
@@JamesAlbertsjust following up, haven’t heard back from you on LinkedIn, anyway I can get this sheet?
In regards to it being difficult to move directly from Big 4 Audit into Investment Banking or MBB consulting, I suppose a better option could be to leverage your position within the Big 4 to transfer internally for a few years into Corporate Finance or a certain avenue of Consulting after qualification and build a network and gain some experience. After a few years of this, and enjoying the benefits of Big 4 managerial status, you'd likely be in a far better position to make a leap across to larger, more specialist firms in the areas you're interested in.
For those of us looking to leave the BIG 4 this is great content, thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it! I've just released a video on moving into consulting specifically - check it out! Let me know if there is any other content you'd like to see.
Sage advice as ever, the speed this channel is blowing up is unreal. Looking forward to whatever the hell you pull out a year from now!
Glad you found it useful! Thanks for the kind words - onwards and upwards!
There's one exit opportunity you forgot to mention, and that is academia. I know most people in my country South Africa that have existed auditing for lecturing.
I recently joined big 4 in Canada not thinking about the leave. The grow, learning opportunity and health benefits are good here but maybe in the future I'll go back to Europe or Poland and this can definitely top up my resume. Thank you for this content
I'm glad you enjoyed it Marta! Your resume will be very strong with the BIG brand on it.
Big fan of the channel - thank you for this video! Looking forward to seeing what else is coming.
Thanks Mark - great to have you in the community. Let me know if there is any other content you'd like to see.
Thank you. Really helpful, i am a fresh audit associate in PwC. Love your advice, appreciate!
Glad you enjoyed it! Let me know if there are any other videos/content you'd like to see.
@@JamesAlberts I'm considering to choose between ACCA and CPA Aus. I'm currently a CFA level 2 Feb 2022 candidate and also heading to Corporate Finance, or Investment Banking, M&A in the long run. Hope you can have a detailed video about differences between ACCA and other certifications. Thanks!
I really enjoy your videos man! Im gonna share it with my friends :)
Awesome, thank you!
Great video, extremely useful combined with the Google document! Videos are getting better each time
Thanks Richard - good to have you on the journey!
Amazing value James, thanks for this.
Glad you enjoyed it Jim! Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to see!
I still know people who haven’t left the big 4 even twenty years after graduating! :)
There are definitely quite a few benefits that are worth staying for!
Love the cheat sheets!
Thanks! Glad they were useful.
Great I'd love to have such opportunities the way you have explained it is very much helpful in making my decision
There's loads of opportunities open to you! Glad you found the video useful.
Great video and production
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Let me know if there is any other content you'd like to see.
@@JamesAlberts Maybe a comparison between Big 4 and Mid tier-firms? As a lot of people don't actually go to the big 4, but there's not many videos on for example firms like GT/BDO, which are still big but not as big
@@shabz_ That's a great idea - I'll add it to the list!
Hi James, thank you for your great video.
Thank you! Any other videos you'd like to see?
Thanks James! I really like your channel and the great content! Still waiting for the advice for ibd exit route...
Thanks, Jane! I'm glad you enjoy the content. The video is on the list and will be up soon!
Your videos are really good!
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind words! Let me know if there is any other content you'd like to see.
@@JamesAlberts im currently doing an ACA training contract for a medium sized accounting firm, in the internal audit department. Only done a month of work so far but I do not think Internal audit will be something I would want to do once I am qualified, would the exit opportunities you list in the video still apply to me or would there be alternatives? Thanks!
@@wasabisparten3659 The opportunities will still be open for you, but I think some areas such as Corporate Finance and Investment Banking may be slightly harder. Whereas, you might have a lot of good process experience for consultancy!
Then again, if your firm has a Corporate Finance department you could transfer into that area get some experience then go down the CF/IB route!
this video is a gem. Thanks so much
Glad you enjoyed it, Joarlee!
Really useful video, thank you so much👍
Glad you enjoyed it - are there any other you'd like to see?
Hello - Thank you for the valuable info sharing - great video!! the link to the Big 4 exit opportunity cheat sheet doesn't work though?
Where has this video been all this time????? Feel like I found a treasure😍
Great video. Do you recommend going into big 4 operational consulting from investment banking or is that a step back
Thanks, Anne - glad you enjoyed it.
I wouldn't consider it to be a step back at all. You will earn less money, however, if it's a career you are more passionate about and want to pursue - go for it!
Are you thinking of making the move?
@@JamesAlberts yes all the videos have been so helpful. I’m thinking of making the move because I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some more project/BA experience
Hi James, do Big 4 take exemptions from degrees into account? The course I want to do has a possible 7 exam exemption for ACA/ACCA.
Boost sound level a bit plz, ads are 3x LOUUUUUDER than the video :(
Will do
What's your thoughts about tax area? Great video!!
Would like to know this too
I’m a graduate from a non-finance field so these exit opportunities don’t have a lot of meaning to me yet. I don’t know what I want to do really (maybe something outside of finance completely) and I’m not sure if I have the finance knowledge to succeed in these roles. I do however have an audit grad job offer, would you recommend I give it a try? How useful are the skills I would obtain for moving into completely different roles?
Please do the how to get into investment banking video
Would there be similar exit opportunities from working at a mid tier firm like GT
What if I have 3 years at big 4 and not done with ACCA... would I still get good exit opportunities?
Big 4 is the worst place on earth to even start your career especially after graduating. Such a toxic environment, unhealthy and crappy. Leave as soon as possible, don't think about opportunities. Mental health comes first. always.
Mental health does come first; however, if you can stick it out for 3/4 years the opportunities are great!
@hass3251 Do you have any advice for alternative work? I'm currently starting Uni and was wondering what to pursue as a career.
Please remove background music. Good content
Thanks for your comment! Was it too loud, or just not a fan?
I’m not the op but it was a bit loud compared to your voice and therefore distracting
Thanks for the feedback!
How many hours a week would an audit work on average at a big 4
Yes
No
I'm planning to leave the big 4 to work in house in accounting. Would you say the busy periods only last for a week at the end of every month and basically January is always busy?
Thats the typical pattern!