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.

All public sector is not equal. Is it Whitehall and how senior? I'm CS and work 1000x harder than I did in both public and third sector, but it's something of a function of my department/role (not finance!).

Having said that I'm much more motivated by public service which helps. I'd put up with a lot less for shareholders.

*private and third sector

Re BIG 4 - am surprised that they dont

Depends on how big the pay difference is and how important that is to your family.

Given the pay freeze/1% annual pay rise situation in the CS at the moment and general kicking the CS gets in general, morale is not high atm.

Posted too soon!!

Going onto say, surprised they don't offer flex working, I'm recently ex big 4 and they were super flexible (not audit though). It totally depends on business unit - I've worked in 3 big 4, pwc my favourite but it does depend on your local team. Don't agree that having big 4 on CV isn't impressive anymore - in my specialism it's odd if you haven't got some Big 4 experience - but saying that I have got out for a better work life balance in industry. Could you do big 4 for a year or so and then flip?

No way would I take job 2 with young kids, unless you really really want/need the money. They are young for such a short time and regardless of your DH being free to do pick ups etc, you will miss so much. Plus the 1.5 hour commute will be a killer especially at the moment- there’s a real shortage of train drivers and other staff so you may be beset with problems like cancellations etc. It sounds like the terms and conditions are much better with job 1 which is worth quite a bit, plus I imagine that the pension will be better.

I got the impression with one of the big 4 who I had dealings with that they at least showed they were family friendly as I was told more than once that one of the guys I had meetings with had a very young child so he did not get much sleep - or something similar! No reduction of fees for me though!

My husband has worked for 2 of the Big 4 firms in audit. We hardly used to see him. He’d come home at 6, have dinner, relax for an hour then had to do work again from around 8pm, then work on the weekends too. It wasn’t sustainable. I think going from being a Sahm and being there constantly with your children to a Big 4 firm will be quite a drastic shock. My husband now does have a fantastic paying job though due to having worked in the 2 firms he did but it was a good few years of long long hours to get there.

Big 4 while you can even for a couple of years will probably halo your CV for life.

I work at a big4, and they are keen for people to wfh, London and regions

I am literally working my notice at big 4 because I want to spend more time with my little one.

I worked in a Big4. I am tough, but I survived 18 months. It killed my MH and the stress left me with a serious autoimmune problem (fortunately now ok). The pay was appalling, the commute was hell, and I was miserable for the full time. It sounds impressive, but I wouldn't go back there even if you offered me 6 figure salary. I am freelance now, earning 3x as much and I love my job. Go for option A OP. Please do.

I work in big 4 and am currently signed off work sick with stress. Absolutely not compatible with young children. Take job 1.

Big 4 because if it doesn’t work out there’s loads of wfh public sector jobs to flip to whereas you’d struggle to flip the other way.

Plus, it might be amazing ! Public sector finance will never be amazing.

I’m at the Big 4, audit trained but now in another dept.

Take public sector, the work life balance will make it worth it.

Thanks everyone, some really helpful advice and a lot of food for thought. I cannot answer some of the questions as I’m a bit paranoid about outing myself, however, it seems that the majority of posters would go for option 1, which also happens to be my preference.

I would go with big 4 get experience and the name on your cv as it will stand you in good stead when moving to the public sector.

I've worked for a big 4 and loved it, yes hours were long, but pay was brilliant.

I trained in Big 4 audit before kids, it was bloody awful! Long hours and random assignments all over the place, not just locally. Also super dull. I would have really struggled to manage young kids too.

However if you are thinking higher up than entry level, you may have more autonomy and flexibility. Have heard horror stories about junior trainees being watched on camera when working remotely through busy season, to check they are not slacking!!

My money would be on greater potential for career progression in the public sector. Women particularly benefit from the soft benefits which don’t detract from promotion prospects. If you’re thinking medium to long term I’d go the public sector route every time.

If you are going into the civil service at a senior level you might not get the WFH as regularly as you hope - if you are regularly briefing ministers and committees etc you might find yourself increasingly being required in the room.

I would always choose quality of life over size of wage packet. Choose job 1 which will allow you more family time and less stress.There will always be another job opportunity, your children won't always need you to be there for them as much as they do now.
This isn't intended as criticism either but I was kind of stunned by your comment about your DHs earning power. Even if he doesn't earn 6 figures, I'm not sure he deserves what sounds like a put down

I am audit background, currently top 10, but regional (just outside London). I now work in a internal role, but would not work big 4 with a 1.5 hour commute with small kids.

My DD15 is currently suffering some ill health and being close to home, and having the support of my bosses, knowing I can walk out if she needs me, is invaluable,

What's your gut feeking? I always think you know deep down which option would be best. It's not always logical.

SAHM to long commute and long hours will be tough. Are you ambitious? If so, do they have any senior women or is it all blokes? As a woman with children I think you are far better off in public sector. There are generally more women, more women in management positions, more part-timers (who actually get promoted) and work/life balance is better.

I've had jobs that looked great on paper (job and company) but didn't live up to expectations at all. Don't be dazzled by the hype and bigger salary.

The first one because you have kids. Public sector is very flexible the only thing is that u don't get pay rises or very little. Most I've had in 7yrs is 1.5% most years have been 0.5 or 1% but some years like last yr we got nothing and again same coming yr. unless ur on a very low salary u get a tiny rise. Frustrating but great pension, holidays, flexi time and flexible working.