Volume 67, Issue 7

Reasons to Work for a Midsize Firm
by Michael Osherovitz

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT – This may seem obvious, but the implications are considerable.  Choosing to work for a Big 4 means opting to be tangled up in an assortment of large transactions and big-team efforts.  Jobs are only assigned to teams, not individuals.  In midsize firms, individuals are typically assigned to jobs with smaller clientele and more closely knit teams.  As a result, each team member participates in supplementary aspects of each engagement, which significantly broadens one’s career.

EXPERIENCE FACTOR – Big 4 Firms have a number of large clients in the same industry.  These clients will require a large, highly specialized staff.  Larger firms, therefore, have a distinct service department.  Auditors are not involved in tax issues unless they are related to financial reporting, and tax professionals are typically not involved in the audit of financial statements.  Midsize firms have a number of clients from an eclectic industry mix.  The smaller staff requires each individual to be involved in more than one line of work.  It isn’t uncommon at a midsize firm for a professional to perform an audit and then work on a tax return.

ON THE JOB TRAINING – Larger firms often conduct in-house training for their staff, while midsize firms hold to on-the-job training and supervision.  I believe on the job training is the best way to train an incoming accounting professional.  Real life experiences teach employees real life applications, as opposed to the theory-ridden classroom setting, which larger firms supply. 

INFORMAL PROGRESSION – In the Big 4, there are formal guidelines determining promotions.  Simple adherence usually generates promotions.  In a midsize accounting firm, the progressive plan is informal.  Being run-of-the-mill probably won’t cut it.  Midsize firms demand progress and productivity.  Firms cannot better themselves with submissive employee; everyone needs to push and be pushed.  Midsize firms usually push their staff to excel and thus accomplish their career goals.¨

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