To accept a public sector job over a Big4?

[somewhereovertherainboww]

Job offer 1: public sector (finance), central London location so a fairly easy commute, 9-5 hybrid with 2 days WFH

Job offer 2: one of the Big 4, audit, regional office, a 1.5 hour (pricey) commute by train, very long hours and rarely WFH

I am returning to full time employment after years of being a SAHM to 2 DC(4&6 y.o.).

My heart says option 1 is more family friendly and “meaningful” but my head says a Big 4 in my CV can set me up for life, offers better progression opportunities and pay.
DH is not on six figures and my earning potential is definitely higher, which puts pressure on me to go for option 2. DH is happy to do school drop offs and pick up from clubs in the evening to allow me to work long hours but I worry I will barely get to see the children on weekdays.

Personally sahm to long hours big commute is a massive jump. I’d do option 1. You’ll see far more of children and have flexibility.

Depends on where you worked before. You might find it weird going into the public sector if you've always worked private sector, regardless of what the jobs offer.

Which were you more drawn to at interview? There’s a lot to be said for a feeling. I’ve worked at a couple of big 4 firms, one amazing and would go back at some stage, one grim and never again. They should be able to offer some flex these days too. Congratulations on two good offers!

I’ve worked in both and found the public sector so much more interesting. Depends what you do of course, and whether that’s important to you.

All the Big4 are recruiting in audit. So you could definitely choose a Big 4 role with another Big4 firm that was more encouraging of flexible working...I am in audit in one of them (also in regions) and work 3 or 4 days from home every week and my teams do too...I also have the flexibility to nip out to sports day or the dentist etc as long as I manage my time and not missing key meetings (the vast majority of which are hybrid)

Big 4. If you don’t like it, you’ll find something in the public sector later.

I'd take option 2. A big 4 firm on your CV will be great for your career long term. You still have the option of taking a slower paced job in a few years if you prefer that. It would be more challenging to go start in a big 4 work environment as you get older.

Go for public sector. Or not your children can always look at photos of you.

Regional auditing is going to be mind numbingly boring. Job one on that basis.

orangeisthenewpuce
Big 4 what?
Deloitte, Ernest & Young, KPMG, PWC - known as the Big 4 accounting firms

Thank you @SickAndTiredAgain

Long hours and a 1.5hr commute - are you mad?Go for no.1!!

I used to work for a big 4 company.

I hated my life, left ASAP for the public sector and now get paid the same as peers who are still there with a pension that means my "package" is 15k+ more than they're getting paid.

I made it my mission to get every single person I cared about there to leave and every single one is so much happier now that they have.

Obviously I'm very biased, and overall the experience I got there was useful but ultimately I just don't care about money enough to sacrifice my life on the altar of capitalism. It might be that the costs you incur mean that is essential but assuming you're in finance if you can progress to director level you can easily make well over £100k - you're never going to make millions but that's a decision on whether the cost is worth the benefit in that case.

I'd choose 1. With a view to move to option 2 at a later date should it not be working out.
Public sector pension may also be a big plus in the long run?

Either way the decision doesn't need to be permanent

Job 1 without hesitation.
You will find even that tough and will miss your DC but at least you will still see them outside work.
Public sector is full of people relieved to have left big 4.

I'd go public sector too.

Have you looked at the pensions for both? PS likely to be better.

"Having the big 4 on you CV may not carry as much clout as 10 years ago. "

I disagree with that. Nothing wrong with a smaller firm either, especially with dc so shorter commute. But nothing wrong with Big 4, still prestigious.

As you are an accountant I am going to guess your option 1 is the NAO. Very well regarded by all the firms. And does offer many career opportunities. Would mean you can still develop your career massively in the future when your kids are a little older and pay isn’t that bad in the meantime. Especially when you consider rate per hour.

Depends which one. I work for PwC and love it. I WFH three days a week and have great flexibility. I have friends who've worked for others and hated it. Culture also varies between business units.

From what you've written I'd probably go number 1, but is your partner also basing their career options around caring responsibilities? The only thing I'd say is make sure it's not just you who is juggling home life and 'leaning in'.

Having come from the big 4 I highly recommend option 1, and running as far away from option 2 as possible. I wasn't a happy little pickle when I worked for Deloitte that's for sure

Have you worked for the Big 4 before? Is the public sector the National Audit Office? Anecdotal and old feedback but a lot of my colleagues were made redundant from just outside the Big 4 in the 2008/9 recession and went to the NAO to complete their training contracts. They found it extremely easy and a lack of challenge. As they were just starting their careers they hated that but if you need more give it may be perfect.

You mention that your DH is happy to do all pick ups / drop offs etc - is he also going to do all the school/home related admin? What happens when DC get sick (because they will) - can your DH cover every sickness absence, every dental appointment, GP appointment, school events etc? Are you going to pay for a nanny with your salary because I'll expect you need one ...

over the last two years I've realised an understanding and supportive boss who I could speak honestly to about being on the edge after working throughout the pandemic (public sector) while home schooling with kids constantly being sent home at short notice because of covid was way more important than a bigger salary.

They are two extremely different environments, so the answer is really what you would be comfortable with. I was lured by the alleged kudos of working at one of the Big4 only to know within the first week it was totally wrong for me. I managed to - miserably - stick it out for a year whilst desparately trying to get a job elsewhere. Don't fall for the big name. Try to find out what it's really like at that company and within that office and team (can you speak to any employees?) and go with your gut.

Go for 1. A 1.5 hr each way commute is madness unless your family literally doesn't have enough to cover the mortgage without it.
You're clearly imminently employable. Get back into the world of work with the easier option, once you've got recent employment on your CV then other opportunities may become available.

I assume you’re qualified already? How senior would you be in these roles? Being a junior audit gimp is awful.