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PWC, Deloitte or KPMG

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Original post by M1011
Isn't he talking about CF in that post? Not audit market share of the FTSE 100? From what I know (granted hearsay so may be completely off base); KPMG lead CF, PWC lead audit, Deloitte lead consulting and E&Y look pretty.

Anyway, you both sound a bit childlike to be honest (even though the other poster will be an old man by now). 'My firms better', 'no my firms better'. They're all the same thing in a different wrapper, let's be honest about it. Unless you work for E&Y that is, they clearly suck (joking!).

Anyway, long story short I recognise you're excited about your offer (congrats btw!), but try and fix that attitude of "9 years in a row at number 1... PWC is clearly the best". It shouldn't escape notice that the big 4 rank in roughly the order of the number of graduates they recruit on the Times list (or at least when I was looking), complete shocker given the way the list is formulated. Anyway the list needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, for example if you believe PWC is a bigger land than say Goldman or McKinsey then you're clearly mistaken.

All that said, I'm sure you'll have a great time (although not from Jan '14 - March '14, that's going to suck :smile:). Good luck!


I was being deliberately petulant, and I completely agree with you that one Big 4 is not necessarily better than the others. My partner in my final interview himself conceded that, to my surprise, there is little between them. I expected him to gloat about PwC's number 1 position in revenues (UK and globally) and slag the rest of the Big 4 but he didn't. He was very, very professional and I guess that's what it takes to become a partner!

I am indeed very excited. Whilst I agree about the McKinsey/Goldman comment, that's not what I'm after. So for me it doesn't get better than a Big4, and I'll still be earning a pretty damn good salary for a 25 year old in 3 years time.

EDIT: Actually Deloitte lead in CF, KPMG in Consulting.

http://www.accountancyage.com/digital_assets/5732/Top50+50_updated_16_Aug_2012.pdf
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 61
Original post by Summa Laude
I was being deliberately petulant, and I completely agree with you that one Big 4 is not necessarily better than the others. My partner in my final interview himself conceded that, to my surprise, there is little between them. I expected him to gloat about PwC's number 1 position in revenues (UK and globally) and slag the rest of the Big 4 but he didn't. He was very, very professional and I guess that's what it takes to become a partner!

I am indeed very excited. Whilst I agree about the McKinsey/Goldman comment, that's not what I'm after. So for me it doesn't get better than a Big4, and I'll still be earning a pretty damn good salary for a 25 year old in 3 years time.

EDIT: Actually Deloitte lead in CF, KPMG in Consulting.

http://www.accountancyage.com/digital_assets/5732/Top50+50_updated_16_Aug_2012.pdf


Absolutely, I agree or else I wouldn't be doing it either!

Doesn't suprises me at all about the partner comment tbh, all quite interchangeable from what I've seen and varies between specialised groups etc. Thing to remember is that while PWC is absolutely a fantastic place to land a job, that's based on many more important factors than their turnover, otherwise we may as well all go work for McDonald's, Shell or GM.

The thing that will really define your experience will be your clients (and teams), so where possible have as much imput on that as you can! Being proactive at department events during your first few weeks can really help. Also, don't make the mistake of going in super keen and getting yourself tied to multiple ftse 100s, you'll regret that later (although would recommend taking one large one if available). Just my thoughts, but think most would advise the same.

With regards to the edit; yea table does seem to suggest that.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by M1011
Absolutely, I agree or else I wouldn't be doing it either!

Doesn't suprises me at all about the partner comment tbh, all quite interchangeable from what I've seen and varies between specialised groups etc. Thing to remember is that while PWC is absolutely a fantastic place to land a job, that's based on many more important factors than their turnover, otherwise we may as well all go work for McDonald's, Shell or GM.

The thing that will really define your experience will be your clients (and teams), so where possible have as much imput on that as you can! Being proactive at department events during your first few weeks can really help. Also, don't make the mistake of going in super keen and getting yourself tied to multiple ftse 100s, you'll regret that later (although would recommend taking one large one if available). Just my thoughts, but think most would advise the same.

With regards to the edit; yea table does seem to suggest that.


Are you a big4 starter as well then?
Original post by Summa Laude
I was being deliberately petulant, and I completely agree with you that one Big 4 is not necessarily better than the others. My partner in my final interview himself conceded that, to my surprise, there is little between them. I expected him to gloat about PwC's number 1 position in revenues (UK and globally) and slag the rest of the Big 4 but he didn't. He was very, very professional and I guess that's what it takes to become a partner!



The partner who interviewed me at Deloitte (and offered me the job) said that choose either PwC or Deloitte.

He basically suggested that in his professional opinion the Big 4 splits into 2 and 2. Don't know whether the comment he made was in reference to just the geographic location I applied to, or the service line, or whether it was meant as a more general a comment.
Reply 64
Original post by Summa Laude
Are you a big4 starter as well then?


I joined last September.

Original post by string_bean_jean
The partner who interviewed me at Deloitte (and offered me the job) said that choose either PwC or Deloitte.

He basically suggested that in his professional opinion the Big 4 splits into 2 and 2. Don't know whether the comment he made was in reference to just the geographic location I applied to, or the service line, or whether it was meant as a more general a comment.


Suppose he's entitled to his opinion, but it's not one I've heard shared by others (and I'm at Deloitte). All much the same, comes down to your clients and your team really.
Original post by M1011

Suppose he's entitled to his opinion, but it's not one I've heard shared by others (and I'm at Deloitte). All much the same, comes down to your clients and your team really.

Pretty much. I guess you could argue that PwC and Deloitte are more prestigious but it depends on who you're talking to tbh and which country they're from.
Original post by string_bean_jean
The partner who interviewed me at Deloitte (and offered me the job) said that choose either PwC or Deloitte.

He basically suggested that in his professional opinion the Big 4 splits into 2 and 2. Don't know whether the comment he made was in reference to just the geographic location I applied to, or the service line, or whether it was meant as a more general a comment.


Hmm well I suppose PwC and Deloitte are much, much bigger than KPMG and Ernst & Young in the UK overall. Not convinced that they're necessarily better for a career though.

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