Excuse me, EY is da best and KPMG is lousy? Sweats, It is depending on da tasks/clientele/opportunities you have got rather than your firm's reputation. For your information, I know EY people who failed exams more than 10 times and 2nd class lower, yet are still working in EY so you perceive that they're smarter? Every Big4 has their pro and cons I have sisters and relative from all Big4, this is what I get to know...

PwC-
Big Conglomerates, Reputably being da best in Malaysia, equipped their auditors with many career development trainings and paperless audit guidance. Public transport convenience
But most of my friends can only audit 1-5 companies in their first 3 years there, as the clients are too huge.

EY-
Has most no. of listed clients ard 250+, so likely always get to audit listed client.
However, they are industry-focused (GFS, SVS TCE, REC), extremely expensive parking at least RM10/day (I'm sure you would go back to office often) and 50% paperless audit, and look at their IAFG results despite boasting da biggest workforce.

KPMG- da Leading Big4 in Banking & Finl Audit with Citi, StdChar, Public, OCBC, most convenient for outstation's employees as nearby to housing area and beside OneUtama, in case you need to stay up to late night. Cheap parking.
But they're extremely rules & regulations bounded, disallowed their employees to surf internet, facebooking, only recently changing to paperless audit, so you expect yourself to carry many files everywhere and being da best friend to printers.

Deloitte-
da Best in Taxation, their Employee's background are more well-rounded with da mixture of academic & co-cu excellence, Champs in IAFG, 100% paperless audit software AuditSystem2 and can learn every industry. Cheap parking.
However, their clientele base is not that wide, lacked of blue-chipped clients, less benefits, and last ranked Big4 in Malaysia.

Many students have da wrong perception about Big4, often they don't really understand how does da corp rank them, it is actually entirely based on Revenue and Market Capitalisation. You are NOT da one going to pocket those revenue in da end, therefore personally I believe that da opportunities and exposures that you'll be gaining, should be da main factor of your final decision.

Being da worse amongst those top scorers in PwC, under-performing & low morale. Or being da Hero amongst da average good in other Big4, and enjoying good performance evaluations and happiness?

World Ranking
Firm Revenues Employees Fiscal Year Source
PricewaterhouseCoopers $26.2bn 163,000 2009 [1]
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu $26.1bn 169,000 2009 [2]
Ernst & Young $21.4bn 144,441 2009 [3]
KPMG $20.11bn 135,000 2009 [4]

Malaysia Ranking
PwC, EY, KPMG, Deloitte...

I'm Malaccan anyway

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Jan 16 2010, 01:22 PM

Depends On Which Big4..

PwC - Extremely academic results orientated or must to do very well in their tests and interview

EY- No tests, just need how to talk cocks (good english oral skills), incase you're below 2nd upper, EY should be da only Big4 will accept you.

KPMG- If you're selected from their computerised recruitment drive, den just have to do very well in their tests, highly probable you'll be offered.

Deloitte- If you posses a balance of both academics and co-curriculum excellence, then you should make it there.

So don't give up, you can still try it out at Ernst&Young, I know few ppl have no degree but are now working at there=)

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Jan 17 2010, 04:31 PM

Don't Listen to people, choose da one that suits your characters and future path most, ultimately nail down da one that willing to grant you most opportunities and da things you love. PwC has many top talents, therefore you might be overlooked by bosses and give yourself unnecessary stresses daily, you won't last long in Audit firm if you're unhappy.

So far I have not heard of any of my PwC friends feel happy being there, just being very frank with you. Yes, PwC have many top academic scorers, doesn't mean that its da right place for you. Statistically speaking, 40% of my friends quit PwC within 1 year, most of remaining are now looking for new journey. I used to fancy about PwC being no1 Audit firm, just realized how wrong was I after working in other Big4, because every Big4 is just a great learning experience goldmine, afterall associates like us wouldn't pocket those revenues in da end.

My personal view is....
If you joined PwC now, incase you quit da firm within a short period due to unexpected events (met nasty seniors, boss, or couldn't gel into their culture), it will only be A STEP BACKWARD if you wish to remain in Big4 Professional Services afterward. If that so, you wouldn't feel happy, therefore be wise in your final decision, choose da right one for you and your future!

Anyway, I have reasons to believe another Big4 has overtook PwC as da new world's no1 ranked Big4, let's us see next year's ranking. Whilst their counterpart in Malaysia is on da rise too due to smthg. Sorry, I'm not talking negatively about PwC, but I dislike whenever people say:"Just choose PwC because they're da top one, it is indeed a very shallow statement, and Big4 is not just about Audit."

All da best Makes da difference!

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Jan 22 2010, 02:52 AM

He is telling da truth, all my PwC Friends told me that they would DEFINITELY stay for at least 3 years in order to fill up their ACCA PER, within 1 year only 50% of them remain there, seeing is believing just like Bro Scout Sis Ranjer motto -Be Prepared-

Happy Chinese New Year to fellow Auditors
Any Firm's CNY dinner coming soon?

So How's Peak Season Treating You Guys?
I'm Satisfied, Learning Lots of Things in a Space of Short Stint....
Audit is Enjoyable if You Put Your Heart onto da Job~

Peak period is da best time for our learning process, appreciate it peep instead of complaining!

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Apr 1 2010, 01:03 AM

Haha I do reckon that EY has da best flexibility and best suits youngsters, MSN, sulfing, facebook and all are not banned or prohibited as long you completed your works on time.

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Apr 4 2010, 08:11 PM

Haha... Waiting for you to promote me
got da enthusiasm and dedication to continue for a long long time, it all depends on how da firm treats me actually...

Look like the peak period started to subside... ^^
Hows work my peer~

All I Can Say is That You Won't Be Happy if You Think of Earning Big Chunk of Money from Assurance Field, It's More of Experience Goldmine...

Don't Just Aim for One Firm, Widen Your Options, And There Are Many Other ACCA Graduates Outthere Queuing Up To Join Big4 As Well, Just My 2 Cents =)

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Apr 14 2010, 01:49 AM

Hmm, I wonder possible for us to know the revenues and labour force info of all big4 and upper-tier medium firms?

This post has been edited by limshenghong: Apr 18 2010, 09:39 PM

Haha I Do Notice This Trend, Especially Big4 Singapore Which Possess Greater Pulling Power and Financial Muscles

I Dont Think so, Pretty Much Depends on Your Client's Year End~
Where Are All of You Heading?

couldn't agree more than that
How's the peak, my fellow auditors...
Mine looks like very un-peak nowadays haha....

Have all of you started preparing for IAFG 2010? Who is the host for this year?

I Find That Audit Life Is Not Stressful At All if You Like It and Meeting Good Seniors!

Yes, PwC Annual Performance Review in July, All Promoted Lo~ Wahahaha GG

World Cup Is Coming, All Auditors Let's Have Gatherings Watching da Game... ^^