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Which Big 4 did you turn down and why?
I thought a thread like this might be useful for anyone who gets more than one offer from a Big 4.
Hopefully the information that we can provide as to why one/more were turned down in favour of another will be useful to anyone thinking of applying or have got offers from/to more than one.
I'll kick off...
Deloitte, Audit, Birmingham.
I turned them down because:
>> The partner was a bit of an arrogant ass. He kept saying "If we don't give you an offer we'll still have 30 other people queuing up for a job with us"
>> The partner found out i was considering an offer from PwC and called me, heaping pressure on me to turn PwC down. Always a bad idea to slag off a competitor in my eyes - it shows a lack of class.
>> The people in the Birmingham office seemed a bit depressed (however, this may be Birmingham people in general - dont be offended anyone - i'm from Birmingham myself)
>> They never ever seemed to keep their word with respect to timescales in getting back to me. At the first interview they said they'd get back to me the next day at the latest. They eventually got back to me 2 weeks later after i'd given up hope of getting through to the assessment centre. They took over a week to send me the contract, despite promising they'd have it for me the next business day.
>> The first interview was very mechanical. THe HR person seemed immune to rapport.
I would lik to stress tho, that these are my own personal experiences and opinions! I cant speak for everyone else - every interviewing experience is bound to be different - I think i was just unlucky (ahem). Case in point is my friend who's just joined Deloitte's London office, and absolutely loves it there.
Hopefully, this info will be useful to someone. Or it might just be my way of venting my frustrations. Bah. Or maybe i like the sound of "Big4Bashing" as a hobby.
Hopefully the information that we can provide as to why one/more were turned down in favour of another will be useful to anyone thinking of applying or have got offers from/to more than one.
I'll kick off...
Deloitte, Audit, Birmingham.
I turned them down because:
>> The partner was a bit of an arrogant ass. He kept saying "If we don't give you an offer we'll still have 30 other people queuing up for a job with us"
>> The partner found out i was considering an offer from PwC and called me, heaping pressure on me to turn PwC down. Always a bad idea to slag off a competitor in my eyes - it shows a lack of class.
>> The people in the Birmingham office seemed a bit depressed (however, this may be Birmingham people in general - dont be offended anyone - i'm from Birmingham myself)
>> They never ever seemed to keep their word with respect to timescales in getting back to me. At the first interview they said they'd get back to me the next day at the latest. They eventually got back to me 2 weeks later after i'd given up hope of getting through to the assessment centre. They took over a week to send me the contract, despite promising they'd have it for me the next business day.
>> The first interview was very mechanical. THe HR person seemed immune to rapport.
I would lik to stress tho, that these are my own personal experiences and opinions! I cant speak for everyone else - every interviewing experience is bound to be different - I think i was just unlucky (ahem). Case in point is my friend who's just joined Deloitte's London office, and absolutely loves it there.
Hopefully, this info will be useful to someone. Or it might just be my way of venting my frustrations. Bah. Or maybe i like the sound of "Big4Bashing" as a hobby.
Scroll to see replies
PekuPekuSay
I thought a thread like this might be useful for anyone who gets more than one offer from a Big 4.
Hopefully the information that we can provide as to why one/more were turned down in favour of another will be useful to anyone thinking of applying or have got offers from/to more than one.
I'll kick off...
Deloitte, Audit, Birmingham.
I turned them down because:
>> The partner was a bit of an arrogant ass. He kept saying "If we don't give you an offer we'll still have 30 other people queuing up for a job with us"
>> The partner found out i was considering an offer from PwC and called me, heaping pressure on me to turn PwC down. Always a bad idea to slag off a competitor in my eyes - it shows a lack of class.
>> The people in the Birmingham office seemed a bit depressed (however, this may be Birmingham people in general - dont be offended anyone - i'm from Birmingham myself)
>> They never ever seemed to keep their word with respect to timescales in getting back to me. At the first interview they said they'd get back to me the next day at the latest. They eventually got back to me 2 weeks later after i'd given up hope of getting through to the assessment centre. They took over a week to send me the contract, despite promising they'd have it for me the next business day.
>> The first interview was very mechanical. THe HR person seemed immune to rapport.
I would lik to stress tho, that these are my own personal experiences and opinions! I cant speak for everyone else - every interviewing experience is bound to be different - I think i was just unlucky (ahem). Case in point is my friend who's just joined Deloitte's London office, and absolutely loves it there.
Hopefully, this info will be useful to someone. Or it might just be my way of venting my frustrations. Bah. Or maybe i like the sound of "Big4Bashing" as a hobby.
Hopefully the information that we can provide as to why one/more were turned down in favour of another will be useful to anyone thinking of applying or have got offers from/to more than one.
I'll kick off...
Deloitte, Audit, Birmingham.
I turned them down because:
>> The partner was a bit of an arrogant ass. He kept saying "If we don't give you an offer we'll still have 30 other people queuing up for a job with us"
>> The partner found out i was considering an offer from PwC and called me, heaping pressure on me to turn PwC down. Always a bad idea to slag off a competitor in my eyes - it shows a lack of class.
>> The people in the Birmingham office seemed a bit depressed (however, this may be Birmingham people in general - dont be offended anyone - i'm from Birmingham myself)
>> They never ever seemed to keep their word with respect to timescales in getting back to me. At the first interview they said they'd get back to me the next day at the latest. They eventually got back to me 2 weeks later after i'd given up hope of getting through to the assessment centre. They took over a week to send me the contract, despite promising they'd have it for me the next business day.
>> The first interview was very mechanical. THe HR person seemed immune to rapport.
I would lik to stress tho, that these are my own personal experiences and opinions! I cant speak for everyone else - every interviewing experience is bound to be different - I think i was just unlucky (ahem). Case in point is my friend who's just joined Deloitte's London office, and absolutely loves it there.
Hopefully, this info will be useful to someone. Or it might just be my way of venting my frustrations. Bah. Or maybe i like the sound of "Big4Bashing" as a hobby.
You made the right choice
Reply 3
thsi thread was a very good idea and its good to see someone from QM doing so well, just wondering is IB less competitive than say Audit? when people say IB they mean like audit etc? because id liek to go into accountancy as IB seems very stressful and far too competitive
Dr Shrestha
thsi thread was a very good idea and its good to see someone from QM doing so well, just wondering is IB less competitive than say Audit? when people say IB they mean like audit etc? because id liek to go into accountancy as IB seems very stressful and far too competitive
IB and audit are not the same. Indeed, some people on this forum may curse you for mentioning the two in the same sentence. They are fundamentally different on so many levels. Perhaps the only thing they have in common is that you are providing a service to firms.
IB is exceptionally competitive to get into, is highly rewarded, and highly stressful. Audit/accountancy work for a big firm is quite competitive, very reasonably rewarded, and far less stressful.
Reply 6
its becasue he is working with them on a gap year.
Reply 7
For grad positions, I was choosing between KPMG & PwC. I have nothing but good things to say about the PwC office in Birmingham. My contact in the grad recruitment department got in touch during my final year at uni and asked if I wanted to apply (I had begun an internship application) for a grad position. They were accommodating enough to sort out an assessment day for just myself as the pre-arranged ones clashed with various uni activities. I heard back from the interviewing partner in a couple of hours and a courier delivered a contract to my door later in the evening. Great service.
In contrast, it was a bit of a mission getting answers out of KPMG. For my internship application, I didn’t get a reply for 4 weeks. The department was apparently short staffed during the Christmas period. After the internship, it took a few calls to before I was given a date for a second partner interview.
However the grad recruitment dept is largely irrelevant once you’re in the company. That’s why I ended up choosing KPMG. I judged its Transaction Services department to slightly stronger than PwC’s (as measured by consistency of transactions advised on and deal value over time) and significantly moreso than Deloitte + E&Y. No regrets about the decision thus far. Smart people, great support and a highly profitable. However had I been looking for a position in Audit or Tax, PwC would probably have been preferable.
Despite my slightly negative experience with KPMG grad rec, I’ve heard others say great things about the team. Similarly I’ve met people who have no time for PwC at all.
Overall, there’s little sense in obsessing about which of the 4 to choose. You could flip a coin and the chances are you’ll be pleased with your decision a year down the line.
In contrast, it was a bit of a mission getting answers out of KPMG. For my internship application, I didn’t get a reply for 4 weeks. The department was apparently short staffed during the Christmas period. After the internship, it took a few calls to before I was given a date for a second partner interview.
However the grad recruitment dept is largely irrelevant once you’re in the company. That’s why I ended up choosing KPMG. I judged its Transaction Services department to slightly stronger than PwC’s (as measured by consistency of transactions advised on and deal value over time) and significantly moreso than Deloitte + E&Y. No regrets about the decision thus far. Smart people, great support and a highly profitable. However had I been looking for a position in Audit or Tax, PwC would probably have been preferable.
Despite my slightly negative experience with KPMG grad rec, I’ve heard others say great things about the team. Similarly I’ve met people who have no time for PwC at all.
Overall, there’s little sense in obsessing about which of the 4 to choose. You could flip a coin and the chances are you’ll be pleased with your decision a year down the line.
Reply 8
just wondering i applied to PwC for the gap year programmes and i was rejected. i wanted to know why, they cant tell me, but they have my records. if i was to apply again will i be not favoured in any way? the only way to apply is online right? so would i be black listed?
Reply 9
To Singh_87:
I believe I have made the right choice, yes. But i guess only time will tell.
To astralcars:
I agree with your comments re PwC's Birmingham office. The HR there are absolute top-notch.
I initially applied for 2006 start, which subsequently filled up. PwC were nice enough to ring me back and suggest other service lines/locations with a 2006 start. When I told them i was set on the location and service line, they automaically forwarded my application for 2007 start.
After the assessment centre, knowing my deadline for acceptance for Deloitte was fast approaching, the lady from HR was kind enough to stay late in the office on a Friday evening to let me know the outcome. That's real dedication to applicants.
Also, once they made me an offer, they put no pressure on me to accept - real class.
They knew that my offer from Deloitte was for a 2006 start, and so offered me employment in the department to fill the time until September 2007 when i would officially begin my training contract.
Absolutely accommodating on every level.
I believe I have made the right choice, yes. But i guess only time will tell.
To astralcars:
I agree with your comments re PwC's Birmingham office. The HR there are absolute top-notch.
I initially applied for 2006 start, which subsequently filled up. PwC were nice enough to ring me back and suggest other service lines/locations with a 2006 start. When I told them i was set on the location and service line, they automaically forwarded my application for 2007 start.
After the assessment centre, knowing my deadline for acceptance for Deloitte was fast approaching, the lady from HR was kind enough to stay late in the office on a Friday evening to let me know the outcome. That's real dedication to applicants.
Also, once they made me an offer, they put no pressure on me to accept - real class.
They knew that my offer from Deloitte was for a 2006 start, and so offered me employment in the department to fill the time until September 2007 when i would officially begin my training contract.
Absolutely accommodating on every level.
Reply 10
Dr Shrestha
its good to see someone from QM doing so well
Hahaha, is that so unexpected? QM isnt at all bad is it? My former coursemates at QM have gone on to Big 4 firms and Magic Circle and US law firms.
Reply 11
astralcars
Overall, there’s little sense in obsessing about which of the 4 to choose. You could flip a coin and the chances are you’ll be pleased with your decision a year down the line.
Overall, there’s little sense in obsessing about which of the 4 to choose. You could flip a coin and the chances are you’ll be pleased with your decision a year down the line.
Hmmm I think the choice is a very fundamental one. In terms of repute, and career progression, there may not be all too much difference bewteen the Big 4, but aside from that there are other things to consider such as factors which would influence your happiness etc.
Those with the experience have a duty to help those who follow!
Why flip a coin when you could make a choice based on first hand information from those who've experienced it?
Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree! Cheers for the post though AstralCars - wish u agood luck in your career with KPMG!
Incidently, is it the Birmingham office of KPMG you're going to be with? If so, we'll have to give each other the evil eye from across the road. Haha.
I believe I have made the right choice, yes. But i guess only time will tell.
Yea, definitely. I also agree with the HR comments, their HR is absolutely fantastic! I really hope their grad recruitment is the same as the ones I have met...
Incidently, is it the Birmingham office of KPMG you're going to be with? If so, we'll have to give each other the evil eye from across the road. Haha.
Lol, when I first went to the Birmingham office, I always thought about how many fights there must be...
Reply 13
Nothing like in London - the Plumtree Court PwC office there is surrounded by 3 Deloitte ones lol - and ours are bigger haha
Reply 14
You guys are far too easy to wind up
Citytrader,
I have to be honest, I am mildly amused by the attitude of some people in IB. Your comments presuppose that everyone who isn't an investment banker wishes they were so. Quite frankly, you are wrong. Some people of your ilk really struggle to see beyond your own world. It reeks off ignorance and arrogance, not to mention an oversized sense of self-importance. But hey, to each their own.
On another note, exactly who are you trying to kid about the 'similar hours'?!
All the best.
I have to be honest, I am mildly amused by the attitude of some people in IB. Your comments presuppose that everyone who isn't an investment banker wishes they were so. Quite frankly, you are wrong. Some people of your ilk really struggle to see beyond your own world. It reeks off ignorance and arrogance, not to mention an oversized sense of self-importance. But hey, to each their own.
On another note, exactly who are you trying to kid about the 'similar hours'?!
All the best.
Reply 16
PekuPekuSay
Incidently, is it the Birmingham office of KPMG you're going to be with? If so, we'll have to give each other the evil eye from across the road. Haha.
Reply 17
CityTrader
a) All of them
b) Because I was good enough for IB so did not have to settle for a 2nd rate job, on less than half the pay for similar hours, surrounded by inferior calibre IB-rejects
b) Because I was good enough for IB so did not have to settle for a 2nd rate job, on less than half the pay for similar hours, surrounded by inferior calibre IB-rejects
You continue to amuse me with your blunt, stupid and unprofessional comments that you continue to make.
The people I know in finance accounting, and I know a lot, are the most professional, nice and intelligent people I have ever met. Whereas the people who I have met in IB's, and you are part of that sample after reading some of your comments, are arrogant, shallow, unprofessional and look after number one. This is not to say that they are not intelligent.
Also, if you knew about assurance and the other services offered you would know, mostly, that the hours are considerably less than most ib jobs. So while you get 30k starting you are working twice as much as at an ib, so someone in Macdonalds probably earns the same hourly rate. However, the only compensation of the job (from the mouths of several UBS bankers) is that your successive pay is higher if you meet the cut year-on-year...but you don't get to enjoy if for about 6+ years.
I can speak for myself on the last point and say that;
a) I am more than good enough to work in an ib if I wanted too
b) I don't and probably never will want to work in one
Reply 18
CityTrader
a) All of them
b) Because I was good enough for IB so did not have to settle for a 2nd rate job, on less than half the pay for similar hours, surrounded by inferior calibre IB-rejects
b) Because I was good enough for IB so did not have to settle for a 2nd rate job, on less than half the pay for similar hours, surrounded by inferior calibre IB-rejects
What an arrogant narcistic remark! Im totally shocked. FYI most grads dont even bother applying to IBs not because they are difficult to get in but because there is life apart from work. Whats the point of filling up your bank account with absolutely no time to enjoy it ever? Its a vicious cycle and u know it....too bad you're too stubborn to admit...or maybe u dont even have time to think about it..any friends, family?.. feel sorry for you dude...
oh and next time think twice before posting such rubbish... u never know 'Karma' might turn around and bite you in the a**...
Reply 19
Well, that was obviously a wind-up post, but you monkeys all rose to the bait and came up with your standard claptrap.
Tednol - re "similar hours", I work 60 hours a week as a derivatives trader. 60 hours/week is average for grads in sales, trading, research and structuring in Fixed Income and Equities. Grads starting at the Big 4 do about the same, or maybe more than 60 hour weeks when you factor in the amount of time they have to spend studying for exams in evenings and weekends for a sizeable chunk of their first 3 years, in the other thread it says 70-80hrs/week would be the norm.
Secondly, I have no doubt at all the majority of grads who start at the Big 4 either got rejected from IB, or thought they weren't good enough for it, the people who say outright they never want to do IB even though they could is a minority. The overwhelming majority of people I know from LSE who're now at PwC, Deloitte only did so after no IBs wanted them - just look on the DoctorJob forum for people frequently asking whether they should choose Ops or Big4 as an idea.
fredstar - Funny you call me "stupid" after having the nerve to call me a racist after I made observations which many Indian posters agreed with. Accountants are largely dull and boring, they have absolutely no chat and few of them are up for having a good time because they're so introverted. "Arrogance" means having a self-inflated opinion of oneself, most bankers are not arrogant because they are actually that good. Nothing wrong with wanting to do well for youself and "looking after number one" either.
quackerjack - MOST OF IB IS NOT 100 HOUR WEEKS, only one division is. I have every single evening and every single weekend to spend with friends/family, just like most people. Pretty much all senior traders are happily married with children, who they get to spend time with every evening and every weekend, just like most people. People in M&A fair enough, I would never want to lose touch with friends/family for the sake of a job, but get it in your head that you get evenings and weekends off in 80% of jobs in an IB.
Death Eater - I have plenty of time to live the high life, if I want to waste a bit of time on the internet that's my choice. On that note I'm now off to a bar followed by Mo*vida, where I don't expect to see many Big4 grads who are too poor to afford £20 door entry, nevermind a membership. Goodnight!
Tednol - re "similar hours", I work 60 hours a week as a derivatives trader. 60 hours/week is average for grads in sales, trading, research and structuring in Fixed Income and Equities. Grads starting at the Big 4 do about the same, or maybe more than 60 hour weeks when you factor in the amount of time they have to spend studying for exams in evenings and weekends for a sizeable chunk of their first 3 years, in the other thread it says 70-80hrs/week would be the norm.
Secondly, I have no doubt at all the majority of grads who start at the Big 4 either got rejected from IB, or thought they weren't good enough for it, the people who say outright they never want to do IB even though they could is a minority. The overwhelming majority of people I know from LSE who're now at PwC, Deloitte only did so after no IBs wanted them - just look on the DoctorJob forum for people frequently asking whether they should choose Ops or Big4 as an idea.
fredstar - Funny you call me "stupid" after having the nerve to call me a racist after I made observations which many Indian posters agreed with. Accountants are largely dull and boring, they have absolutely no chat and few of them are up for having a good time because they're so introverted. "Arrogance" means having a self-inflated opinion of oneself, most bankers are not arrogant because they are actually that good. Nothing wrong with wanting to do well for youself and "looking after number one" either.
quackerjack - MOST OF IB IS NOT 100 HOUR WEEKS, only one division is. I have every single evening and every single weekend to spend with friends/family, just like most people. Pretty much all senior traders are happily married with children, who they get to spend time with every evening and every weekend, just like most people. People in M&A fair enough, I would never want to lose touch with friends/family for the sake of a job, but get it in your head that you get evenings and weekends off in 80% of jobs in an IB.
Death Eater - I have plenty of time to live the high life, if I want to waste a bit of time on the internet that's my choice. On that note I'm now off to a bar followed by Mo*vida, where I don't expect to see many Big4 grads who are too poor to afford £20 door entry, nevermind a membership. Goodnight!
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