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The Big 4 Life in India – Life at Big Consulting Firms

8 Comments May 6, 2009 – 5:42 pm | Permalink |  Print This Post |

Big 4 accounting firms are amongst the most coveted and renowned firms in India. Approximately 50 – 55 percent of the workforce comprises of charted accountants, 35-40 percent being occupied by MBA’s and Engineer’s and remaining by other specialized degree holders.

Getting Hired

Getting into a Big 4 firm in India is a difficult task. Barely 3-5 percent of the hiring in Big 4’s is done through company’s website and job portal’s, most of the hiring is done through internal referral programs and external consultants

Tips on getting your resume noticed
1. Route your resume through an internal employee, higher the designation of the employee, more the chances of your resume being noticed.
2. Don’t clog your resume with excess clutter. Be to the point and precise. Focus on highlighting your leadership and teaming skills
3. Keep track of the financial cycles being followed in the big 4 firms, for example EY follows a July to July financial cycle. Hiring during the month of May and June is relatively less owing to budgetary constraints at the end of the year as compared to hiring in July, August where most teams are looking to filling in vacant spots.

Figuring out the Hierarchy

Though the basic hierarchy structure among the big 4 in India is pretty much the same, one may start as an intern and go upto the partner level. However, there are subtle differences.

For example, if you compare the hierarchy structure in EY and KPMG then you would realize that there is no Assistant Manager level in EY.

Not understanding the hierarchy structure before interviewing process can often lead to an individual being hired at the wrong level.

Service Lines

The services provided by the big 4 firms can be divided into

• Statutory Audits & Tax Advisory
• Internal Auditing
• Transaction Advisory
• Business Advisory
• Other niche consulting Area’s

It is imperative for new MBA’s to decide their area of interest prior to an interview. It is difficult to switch service lines at a later stage.

Working Culture

Though each big 4 claims to have an individualistic work culture, the enormity of these firms and the prominent trend of employees switching between the big 4 firms has led to development of what can be called as the big 4 culture, some of the key characteristics of the big 4 culture are

1. Working Hours - One can expect a typical working day of approximately 12-13 hours a day. However, the lengths of your  stay in office or at the client site is totally dependent on your engagement team and manager and work load.
2. Trainings form an integral part of the Big 4 culture, you can end up clocking approximately 10 -15 hours of training each month. These training comprise of both technical and soft skill’s trainings
3. Quality and risk management practices also take up a major portion of your time at big 4 firms, you could spend a significant number of your working hour’s filling up forms and taking approvals.
4. Individual vs. the Team – There is a strong focus on teaming at all of the big 4’s, however, individualistic traits such as taking up the ownership, making decisions is also encouraged.

Email your comments on contactus@consultingnetwork.co.in or mohit.kant@consultingnetwork.co.in

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