R Big 4 (2024)

FAQs

Which Big 4 is most prestigious? ›

In general, PwC and Deloitte are considered the most prestigious of the Big 4. If you ask most people about prestige, they'll probably rank PwC/Deloitte > EY > KPMG. This is reflected in pricing, for example.

Because of their reputation and reach across several industries, the Big Four are known to employ thousands of graduates every year. Despite this, competition for places in any of the firms is fierce and gruelling. Consequently, landing a job with one of the Big Four firms is sometimes viewed as a difficult task.

The salary range for an Associate/Staff at the Big 4 ranges from $45,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on the location and firm. This amount may vary slightly based on factors such as educational qualifications, experience, and performance.

To the employers, candidates having Big 4 experience on their CV means: They are the crème de la crème – It is an impression that only the best of the graduates would be able to get through the three-stage interviews and land on a job in the Big 4.

The most prestigious firms are McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. Next most prestigious are "Tier 2" firms such as Kearney, Accenture, and LEK. This tier also includes the strategy consulting arms of the Big 4 firms, including Deloitte Monitor, EY Parthenon, and PwC's Strategy&.

We would, however, say that the minimum GPA required is 3.0. But if you find that yours is a bit lower than that, just work on your GPA for grad school, gain work experience, or take on leadership roles during your academic career. These are called compensating factors.

I've seen staff fired several reasons - working for another firm while still employed by PwC, using corporate card to pay for $30k of personal expenses, never doing the work that was assigned to them.

We can estimate that based on job openings for students, Deloitte's acceptance rate is around 3.7% (which makes sense, considering it's also the biggest of the Big Four), based on 2,500 entry level job openings and 250,000 total applicants (which includes applicants to non-entry level roles).

The Big 4 accounting firms are making a strategic shift by promoting a new wave of younger partners to keep up with the dynamic changes in the industry. The average age of these partners are 33-35.

How stressful is Big 4 accounting? ›

Almost three-quarters (71%) of survey takers who work for them said they feel their mental health suffers because of work pressures. Additionally, 51% of them said they've considered resigning from their job because of wellbeing issues.

Whether you joined a Big 4 as a springboard for your career or were set on making partner, we generally advise professionals to make a move around three to six years of experience, in order not to leave either too early or too far into their Big 4 career.

You're Tired of Working Late

The Big Four are notorious for their late nights. When it comes to work-life balance, they typically score low on employee satisfaction surveys. This is because their hours are long, and they tend to demand a lot. While a good job is a challenging one, there is a limit.

Deloitte scored higher in 9 areas: Overall Rating, Culture & Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Work-life balance, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits, Career Opportunities, Recommend to a friend and Positive Business Outlook. PwC scored higher in 1 area: CEO Approval.

Big 4 Consulting

Consulting jobs are considered more prestigious and offer a higher average starting salary. You also enjoy better exit opportunities and a broad exposure to business strategy.

PwC also ranks first in Prestige, edging out second-place Deloitte. PwC is also the #1 firm in all three major practice areas (Audit & Assurance, Forensic, and Tax). Specialized firms had a strong showing in the Quality of Life Rankings.

Work-Life Balance Improvement Strategies

For example, PwC offers its employees flexibility in structuring their schedules, taking time off when needed, and working reduced hours or remotely at times. The firm also focuses on initiatives around physical and mental wellbeing.

1. Deloitte (3.65) At first place, we have Deloitte, and possibly due to the presence of their CEO, Cathy Engelbert, a staggering 32% of all diversity and inclusion-related commentary on Deloitte revolved around the barriers being broken for female professionals at the company.