Big 4 or Mid Tier?

[ByBlueEagle]

My DD was lucky enough to receive audit apprenticeship offers from 2 mid tier firms and now a Big 4 with EY. Pre EY offer she had decided on Grant Thornton due to how supported the team had been and the colleagues shes been able to meet at events post offer. However, she is now struggling to decide whether the Big 4 is a move she should take to help her career further down the line.

There are a few cons to EY, including a 2.5k lower starting salary and potential that she works on less varied clients than at GT

Any advice on whether to chose EY or GT?

I am biased (ex Big 4) but I would advise her to join EY. The training may or may not be better - although I think it probably is - but the ‘badge’ on her cv is definitely better. In terms of client experience, that mainly depends on the clients/teams she works with. Make sure you tell her to stand up for herself and be proactive - she will get great opportunities if she raises her hand for them. If she sits and waits to be noticed then she’ll see others getting them. I saw too many talented girls fail to give themselves credit for their abilities and too many less talented boys sail past. But it’s a great start to a career - whichever firm she chooses.

Definitely big 4; the name is still helpful to me in my 50s having done so much other stuff in the meantime. And the opportunities are unparalleled. GT just don't compare I'm afraid.

In this scenario I would go Big Four as well. Always so many options to pivot later on.

Well done to your daughter for getting two great offers.

Are they putting her straight into ACA training or beginning with L4 AAT?

Big 4

It depends what she values.

I’ve worked with (but not for) both, and my impression is that- Big 4 is obviously more prestigious on a CV, and you can work with bigger clients.

But mid tier can be better for work-life balance, and you can get more meaningful/ interesting exposure to (smaller) clients faster. Progression (‘up or out’) can also be less brutal.

She's done brilliantly to get 2 such good offers.

There is still a long hours culture in the Big 4, regardless of whether you are a school leaver or a grad, with overtime unpaid Will she still be living at home? That eases the pressure a little as she would be going home to her support system each day.

Studying will be in intensive blocks. She will be in a classroom for 7 hours each day regardless of who she decides to train with. She will also be the first intake under the new gen ICAEW papers, usually going straight into a 12 or 13 day course for her first two papers as soon as she joins (unless she's doing L4 first)

I can assure you that there's absolutely no issue in going between GT and any of the Big 4 once qualified in either direction.

I’ve worked at both and I would say EY every time. I wouldn’t say there is a significant difference in working hours but technical training and opportunities are much better at EY.

Yep also ex Big 4 and in my 50s, people are still impressed by the London big 4 background.

For work life balance I’d move out of big 4 in mid career, it’s very much an up or out culture. But great fun and hard work but enjoyable in the earlier years.

Same here - agree with all the above - Big 4.