WHICH IS BETTER - ARTICLESHIP AT BIG4 OR A LOCAL FIRM?
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This is one question, which goes through the mind of every student who has appeared for the second level for the CA exam. Every student ponders on the pro's & con's of working in a small firm or a BIG-4. Asks his friends., discusses this with them and sadly even after a lot of deliberation reaches no conclusion and usually chooses the option which he ought not to.
The choice between a BIG-4 and a small firm is very simple and not that big a problem as we CA students make it.
This is like a two faced sword. Both have their pros and cons.
Let us be crystal clear-
If you want to actually "learn" the basics of chartered accountancy, tricks of the trade, street smartness and direct dealing with clients from scratch to end, then a reputed local firm is the way to go. The exposure is limited but what you may earn is a varied experience of PSU, Bank and private audit. Going for a local firm will help you and you will realize that when you sit for your exams 3 years from now.
Coming on to the other option, big 4 have their own perks. Obviously, the money is good (if that is one of the considerations), the travelling is fun and exposure is widened. The clients are giants and more sophisticated and you get polished as well throughout the articleship period. However, since there is a huge manpower in these companies, you rarely get a chance to handle a particular audit right from scratch till the balance sheet is finalised and most of the times you don't even know how to make a balance sheet.
If you want to actually "learn" the basics of chartered accountancy, tricks of the trade, street smartness and direct dealing with clients from scratch to end, then a reputed local firm is the way to go. The exposure is limited but what you may earn is a varied experience of PSU, Bank and private audit. Going for a local firm will help you and you will realize that when you sit for your exams 3 years from now.
Coming on to the other option, big 4 have their own perks. Obviously, the money is good (if that is one of the considerations), the travelling is fun and exposure is widened. The clients are giants and more sophisticated and you get polished as well throughout the articleship period. However, since there is a huge manpower in these companies, you rarely get a chance to handle a particular audit right from scratch till the balance sheet is finalised and most of the times you don't even know how to make a balance sheet.
The answer lies in more fundamental question of - what do you really want to do long term as a CA -
1. If you want to practice - Working in mid size/ small size makes more sense because you face the same issues which you'd typically face in your own future practice days - taking an important call on client issues, infra issues, hiring issues etc. which ultimately helps when you're facing the same issues while practicing.
2. If you want to work with Big 4 - These consulting firms make you really good at being diligent and hard working along with provide exposure to processes at Big MNC Co's. Also, you are working with the best median brains in your profession. The net result is that you become more presentable/ marketable and accepted while applying to Corporates. If working into corporate culture has been your dream, try to complete articleship at Big4s. If you get into one , then there is nothing better than that. The clients are bigger and the experience is worthwile. It kickstarts your career from the Internship level.
1. If you want to practice - Working in mid size/ small size makes more sense because you face the same issues which you'd typically face in your own future practice days - taking an important call on client issues, infra issues, hiring issues etc. which ultimately helps when you're facing the same issues while practicing.
2. If you want to work with Big 4 - These consulting firms make you really good at being diligent and hard working along with provide exposure to processes at Big MNC Co's. Also, you are working with the best median brains in your profession. The net result is that you become more presentable/ marketable and accepted while applying to Corporates. If working into corporate culture has been your dream, try to complete articleship at Big4s. If you get into one , then there is nothing better than that. The clients are bigger and the experience is worthwile. It kickstarts your career from the Internship level.
The decision has to be made keeping your expectations and your choices in mind. Decide what you want from your life and then come up with a decision.
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