Big 4 Audit Clients (2024)

FAQs

How long should you stay in Big 4 audit? ›

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.

Word of mouth – good clients often attract good clients. We couldn't say it better ourselves. It's well-known that accountants win the majority of new clients through referrals. Better yet, these clients are likely to already trust you and make the onboarding process smoother.

For auditors, the scope is most often much larger, as they tend to consider the complete financial history and implications of finance use over a long period of time. This can involve more time reviewing individual financial statements and records than an accountant takes.

Prior research among already-public companies generally finds that Big 4 auditors provide higher audit quality than non-Big 4 auditors (Becker et al.

At a Big 4 firm, busy season can mean long hours of auditing or tax compliance and lots of stress. 60-100-hour work weeks are not uncommon. A mid-sized firm typically offers a better work/life balance, more hands-on experience, broader industry exposure, and higher pay.

Does the Big 4 have high GPA requirements? You may have heard that firms require a 3.4 or above, or that they're only really looking for people who a 3.9 or higher. However, this is certainly not the case. Many students let GPA intimidate them from taking the next step toward their career, and it shouldn't.

A business having lots of accounting transactions at the end of the year with extreme complexity and lack of internal control in business can be considered a "high risk" audit client. Clients that engage in very complex engagements also pose as high-risk audit clients.

Salary and Job Outlook for Auditors

Accountants and auditors earned a median salary of $77,250 in 2021, with a 6% job growth—about average—projected from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS. Many auditing positions offer above-average salaries, especially more senior roles.

Accountants and auditors typically need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field to enter the occupation. Completing certification in a specific field of accounting, such as becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), may improve job prospects.

Auditors often face periods of high stress, especially during busy seasons like year-end or tax deadlines. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, adherence to strict regulations, and sometimes long hours to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Which Big 4 has the best audit? ›

Ranked as the most prestigious accounting firm by Vault for seven straight years, PwC boasts the largest audit fees and biggest number of Fortune 100 audit clients.

Prestige. In general, PwC and Deloitte are considered the most prestigious of the Big 4.

Level of Experience

Many people aim to leave the Big 4 after reaching a certain level on their career path which clusters around 3-5 years.

The average employee at Big 4 Accounting Firm makes $71,403 per year. Employees at Big 4 Accounting Firm stay with the company for 6.6 years on average.

Generally, audits can last from two to four months from scoping to final report submission – though much of that time will be taken up with planning.

The other good thing about audit is that it's a great stepping stone to another career. People here go onto jobs in investment banks, corporate strategy or consulting as well as staying in audit. Most people (including me) are just waiting to become qualified accountants before considering their options.