Hi all,

I hope some of you can give me honest insights on these Big 4 departments. I am about to graduate in ACCA soon but I don't know which one to apply for. Some of you will mention that I should choose based on what I am passionate about. But I think that I am fine with either departments. I am also willing to put in the hours and hard work required because I know a job in the Big 4 is demanding. Also I know that Audit and Advisory requires alot of travelling and meeting with people? Am I right?

I would like to know is

1) What are the job scopes of these departments. What they do exactly?

2) What are the prospects of working overseas? (not in Big 4, in the commercial world)


Any additional info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

This post has been edited by Loreburner: Sep 11 2012, 03:06 PM

The thing is with Advisory there are so many different teams in there. There's Internal Audit, IT Audit, IT governance/advisory, Performance Improvement, Project Management etc etc. I suggest you go do your own research on the Big 4s' websites to learn more about them and narrow it down first.

In terms of working overseas, it depends on your team and the clients that they get. For audit departments, it isn't rare for them to go overseas because they could have clients who have offices or subsidiaries based overseas. Advisory will depend on the client and project that they win. There could be a need to go overseas as sometimes overseas KPMG offices could use the expertise of the team in Malaysia.

I see. Maybe I didn't make it clear in my first thread, but let's say I plan to leave the Big 4 after a few years experience to join the commercial world. What are the chances of working overseas with either the backgrounds of Audit, Tax and Advisory? For example if I join tax in the Big 4, would I be stuck which the only in Malaysia because I specialize in Malaysian tax?

Thank you again!

Should be tax if u wanna make much monie

I do want to experience working overseas also. Even if the pay isn't as good as here. I'm just wondering if overseas commercial companies would want to hire someone with Malaysian Tax background? Thanks!

Beg to differ. It should be advisory.
Unless u have second job (other than in tax), becasue tax is the only department where you can go back on time in big 4 (except for peak period July-August)

Had a friend doing taxation in Malaysia. She got seconded to UK. Now based in UK.

I see. My bad. I thought you meant prospects of working overseas while in a Big 4. Now I understand you meant prospects of working overseas AFTER you leave the Big 4.

The easiest would be Advisory and Audit. Not many overseas company would want to employ you at an equal position (e.g. Senior Tax Consultant) because you are only familiar with Malaysian tax laws and not their country's tax laws. However, you do have the experience of a tax consultant, so if you are willing to accept a lesser role while you learn up on their tax laws, I don't foresee a problem.

Yeah actually it was my bad. I think I should edit my post because I didn't make it clear. Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your advice! Oh btw, do you know of any cases whereby people work in Tax (big 4) then leave maybe to a bank and do something completely different that does not include tax? [ I dunno if it's possible as I am giving an example only].

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Added on September 11, 2012, 3:08 pmthat seems wonderful! She got seconded while she was still in the Big 4 is it?


This post has been edited by Loreburner: Sep 11 2012, 03:08 PM

my company used PwC to do CIT calculation, oh my..even senior tax consultant there get pay per hour basis(in USD)..
I imagine that amount of money should beat the IB guy..

This post has been edited by Materazzi: Sep 11 2012, 09:24 PM

Unfortunately I do not. I only have 3 friends in tax department and they are still there (1 partner and 2 Managers). I honestly feel that if you want to go out to commercial, audit's the way to go. Audit experience is more transferable to the commercial world because you can join the Accounting and Finance team. Tax experience is a little too focused on tax and not broad enough to move on to other areas. At least that's my 2 cents.

A little noob here but I'm guessing CIT is Calculation of Income Tax ? What's IB?

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Added on September 12, 2012, 5:05 pmThank you, do you think it is ok for me to PM you in the future if i have anything to ask you? I'm guessing you're from the Audit background? I'm still considering my options as I am a person who gets bored easily :/

This post has been edited by Loreburner: Sep 12 2012, 05:05 PM

Loreburner

I think IB = Investment Bank if not mistaken, please correct me if i'm wrong.

Guys, I would like have an insight about Advisory division. Up to my understanding, there are Performance Improvement, IT Risk and Assurance, Risk departments. Which department will have a better prospect to go for my future, could it other division like TaAS -corporate finance or M&A? As a freshie, I would prefer to focus on learn & gain first, then only decide for future.

I plan to gain experience in Big4 advisory first, then try to venture into Investment Bank/commercial bank management role or other commercial line like Oil & Gas industry, Manufacturing companies. I'm from fresh grad from finance background, degree first class holder. Which department in Big4 I shall apply for which will bring me to the point i want to reach?

Need advice for you guys for further steps. Your comments, replies and sharing are highly appreciated!

This post has been edited by am_jenvine: Sep 12 2012, 07:08 PM

Corporate Income Tax, but you should add Legal studies to make you more marketable.

Nopp, I was from Advisory. But you are more than welcomed to drop me a PM. If I have any knowledge/experience, I'd be more than happy to share. I am generally quite ok with Audit, Tax and other areas of Advisory as my previous role got me working with Audit and other advisory areas. Tax is mostly from my friends. M&A I don't know much on it but restructuring I'm generally okay too.

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Added on September 14, 2012, 7:34 amWhat you have mentioned is specifically Ernst & Young's Advisory unit. Again, in terms of better prospects; it really depends on where you see yourself in 5-10 years time. What areas would interest you or what type of job do you want?

If you are in Finance then I would maybe suggest TAS CF or M&A. They will be more directly linked to your degree. Although PI and Risk would also consider you depending on their vacancies. PI would give you a more general management experience but as a junior staff you'll be stuck mostly doing research, charts and benchmarking etc. Risk would give you a high level understanding of general operations such as Purchase-to-Pay process, Procurement, Treasury etc.

This post has been edited by konichiwawa: Sep 14 2012, 07:34 AM

Hey all
I am wondering how long does PwC usually take to reply after the final round of assessment? It has been a week since I went for the assessment for advisory associate. Should I call up HR to ask about my application status?

Hello konichiwawa, how is your typical day at work for restructuring advisory?

Hey grace90, which part of advisory did you apply to?

I applied to business recovery but they recommended risk governance.