The Big 4 Life in India – Life at Big Consulting Firms
Consulting | Mohit | May 6, 2009 at 5:42 pm
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
Like what you are reading ? Subscribe here http://feeds2.feedburner.com/ConsultingNetwork
Views expressed by Authors/Users/Subscribers etc on this website are completely their personal views and in no way reflect the views of their employers or any connected parties. Please view our detailed Terms & Conditions.
Aspiring Consultants can seek free & valuable advise by Clicking Here
Tags: big 4, Deloitte, EY, Hire, india, Kpmg, Life at, Pwc, Sallary
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
Nice article man… Just one thing: I don't think any big 4 has working hours of 12-13 hours a day!!
My guess would be 8-10 hours a day…
Cheers,
P
This comment has been deleted by the author.
Sanchit,
So let me get this staright, not only you're rude & obnoxious for no reason but you're use to working like a dog.. those are unimaginable hours, not to forget your social & personal life is adversly affected. these same firms in the west have normal working hours, so they make sure they extract as much as they can out of people like you.
please be considerate to somebody's thoughts or comments… & if possible learn some manners.
Sid
Believe it is easily 12 hrs a day!:)
in case if u leave after only 10 hrs of work, then ppl are gonna b thinkin ur workin half day! so yes, workin for at least 12-14 hrs a day!
Good article but its not difficult if you have the right background,experience and attitude
Regards
Rithesh (Recruiter KPMG US & INDIA)
Hii Ritesh
I have been working with bank of america for 3 years bt now I want to work in Kpmg.
Reply asap my personal email id is hhkapoor5@gmail.com
Kindly reply on it once u read this.
Thanks
Hemant
Hi Sir
I am doing ICWA intermediate. So i want to know that am i eligible for the interview in KPMG.
please help me out i am in great dillema for my future please tell me that does KPMG absorb ICWA inter's
Hi Ritesh,
Am a B.Sc Grad with a Recruitment experience of about 5 years 6 months+ around an year of Technical Service experience. I have found that planning, consulting and business development comes naturally to me. I would consider myself as self made and intellectually inclined with biggest strength as diversity of domains that I have worked for.
I consider networking, communication and innovation to be my key skills and values & principles my key assets.
If am to set a goal of Joining the Big 4 consulting in HR/Recruitment Planning, what should my trajectory be?
shreerajnair(a)in.(com)
Kindly comment at your convenience and before I join the Big 4
. Thanks in advance. Vande Mataram.
It's a nice article. You mentioned that each employee has to undergo 10-15 hours of training. Usually what kind of trainings do these employees have to undergo and how one keeps a track of hours attended? Is the training mandatory for all levels?
Regards,
Monisha
Nice article…I have worked for deloitte and now will be working with EY. My personal experience is that these Big4 firms are highly professional and are very good place to grow and learn new things. The only negative is work load. Not all depts are very busy but then a work load of 14-16hrs/day is normal in certain depts (atleast I had).
i need to join EY as an articles assistant can you give me some referrel,please this will be indeed a great favour.
Mr.Prateek ,
I am chandappa Hubballi i am well exprience person in accounting and taxation please send any job offer in Delotte.please mail us chanduhubli@gmail.com.
Not all Big4s are same. KPMG is much better than Deloitte any time. Deloitte runs like a political organization and the work culture is depressing. My cousin has a very bad experienec in working der.
Nice Article! I am currently Interning with PWC in the internal Audit Deppt.
I have completed my 1st Year of MBA and am an Engineer
PLease throw some light on what the future could hold in pWc FOR ME?!
Well working for 12-13hrs is true as i have worked with one of the BIG 4 for 3long yrs.
joining KPMG soon…….;-)
Joining KPMG soon….guys anybody who can help me by telling some procedures and policies..am very exicited …how the work environment..
How to get into big 4 consulting firms?
Hi All,
I have two years of experience post MBA and working as a Project Manager in e-governance domain for an IT consultancy firm.. Though the learning is immense but I would like to explore opportunities in Big 4… I am getting calls as Sr. analyst, Consultant, Associate etc………….
It would be great if someone throws some light on hierarchy levels along with the minimum experience required for the same so that I can plan my career and do not end up at wrong level.
Thanks in advance…
Hi Manish,
Well as u have experience in eGovernance, let me tell u the hierarchy follows in BIG 4:
1. Analyst (BTech – Fresher)
2. Executive or Associate Consultant (MBA – Fresher)
3. Senior or Consultant (2 Years + Exp.)
4. Assistant Manager or Senior Consultant (4 Years + Exp.)
5. Manager (6 Years + Exp)
6. Senior Manager or Associate Director
7. Director
8. Executive Director or Partner
* Relevant Experience required
I would like to know the approx Fixed Sal band for these roles, specifically for:
1. Asst Manager
2. Manager
3. Sr Manager
Hi Ankit,
What kind of Academic qualifications and skill set would be required for the post of an analyst as a B.Tech fresher?
i wanted to say academic achievements
HI,
I have done CA inter with articalship. Now I want to join big 4 firm. Please what i do for this?
What is the hierarchy in KPMG ? What is the tenative CTC range for a Sr Manager there ?
Thanks & Regards.
In KPMG, each practice has different hierarchy.. so kindly mention which practice u wanna know!!
I Posit to join KPMG….. sm1 please tell me how
I am willing to join KPMG….. Please help me…….
Have a personal query.I have 5 yrs of experience as senior design engineer at EIL,a leading EPC for oil & gas petrochemical etc.What are the routes I can take to enter into energy consulting.Where and how do I apply?
Very Good…
Hi, i work with KPMG in Bangalore and its been close to a year now. Its culture is simply wonderful and our US counterparts whom we correspond daily with are true professionals. Work pressure is there as usual but not required to stretch everyday. It may be one or two odd days a month, tats all. Else, everything is really good.
Hii saumik.I have been working with bank of america for 3 years bt now I want to work in Kpmg.So do u hv any frn who works in ggn site, n if not , can u reffer me for it.Reply asap my personal email id is hhkapoor5@gmail.com Kindly reply on it once u read this.ThanksHemanth
hello sir..i hav going to finish my M.tech this year and i hav cleared cfa level 1…i want to join kpmg as a research associate..kindly tell me hw can i apply there…thank you sir
Hey, I know this is completely random but do you know anything about KPMG hiring UG freshers? I am a recent graduate in BBM and looking to join KPMG for Audit or Advisory in Bangalore. U think I stand a chance?
Hi Saumik I have a banking experience for an year.. I am a Msc graduate in IBM and have done btech would like to join KPMG in Bangalore as an analyst… Plz letme know the procedure or do they have walk-ins?
hi
i have recently appeared for my CA final exam . i want to join any of these big 4 firm. what should i do for that?
Rakesh I hope you have completed your CA final…we have openings for CA Freshers..rush your CV to saurav.k@signaturestaffindia.com
Hi im looking at joining KPMG M&E, could you pls advise whats the CTC to be quoted for Ananlyst, executive roles. tx
Can you please help me out with CTC Structure of Partner
I have qualified CA final exams in May 2011 attempt, and I am seeking an opportunity in any Big4 entity to start my career. I have checked the websites of all four but there is no direct HR department where I can get in touch. If anyone is working in any one of Big4s kindly contact me a.s.a.p and let me have the opportunity to use his/her esteemed reference.
assb12@rediffmail.com
Hi, Joining KPMG next month.
hello sir
i ll finish my metch in 2012 n i hav olredy cleared cfa level-1…sir plz suggest me how cn i apply for the kpmg ???
Which is better US-India-Deloitte OR India-Deloitte ?
hello sir, i just cleared ca- ipcc and want to start my articleship at big4 please help me out .. if any1 cud give dere refrence den i wud b realy realy thankful to them .. please rply me:shaan5676@gmail.com
I am going to appear in Nov, 2011 exam for C.A. (Final) 2nd Group after exam i want to join any one of big4 to grow my carrear i had completed my articleship. could any one suggest me ?
i will be joining deloitte hyderabad in june 2012. i am from BITS Pilani- mechanical engg. background…. will i face any problem ???????????
since i am not from software…… plz help me i am confused
my mail id deepak0419@gmail.com
please help me
Have done postgraduate in HR from Kings College London. Looking for a suitable opportunity as a fresher in HR in KPMG or any of the big 4 in Gurgaon/ Delhi / Noida.
Can anyone help.
My email is sanjoli_mangat@rediffmail.com
hiiiiiiiiii plz tell how to enroll in big4 my contact no.XXXXX (Number deleted by Admin)
I have qualified as a CA in May 2011 and currently looking for a job..preferably in Big4…. If any of the recruiters have a vacancy..kindly get in touch with me at ca.manchangupta@gmail.com
Hi,
Plz let me know how can i get into these Big4 firms, m a management grad with 5 yrs work exp in insurance operations.
I have cleared my first group and have given examination of second group.
Please help me how can i apply for Ca Articleship ?
i completed my articlesheep leading ca firm from mumbai. i also appeared ca final Nov.11 attempt. my ambiation as well as my dream to join KPMG & prove my self but how can i contact & get mail id HR person…also many of my tell me if u have a refrence in big4 u easily entered…it’s right???? but i dos’t have any refrence still can i join & contribute to KPMG SUCCESS…
is there scope for company secretaries???
I’ve just given the exams of ca-ipcc & looking for to result.I want to join articleship at big 4 . Plz help me out, if anyone could give there reference then I would like to really thankful to them.plz reply me. my emailid is : nehadhiman13@gmail.com
I have had some experience working for about 4-5 years in the consulting industry across Accenture, Deloitte and EY. Each one of these companies has their own forte:
Accenture: System Integration
Deloitte: Integration of business with technology.
EY: Business domain expertise.
For entry level positions, the most established way to get into these firms is through business school. For lateral roles, significant industry experience is required (unless you have a consulting background). EY has certain campaigns within each country where it operates; if your experience is aligned to those campaigns, you are likely to be considered. Some review of the consulting company's research collateral will highlight their campaigns and accordingly a fit can be determined.
Deloitte(US) – India, also known as R10, is an IT services off-shoring arm of Deloitte (US) similar to the likes of TCS or Infosys. Deloitte Consulting Pvt. Ltd (India) on the other hand, provides professional advisory services to local clients.
hi everyone, i’ve read all the comments and of course, the post of mr Kant. Nice article. Liked it. What i didnt like was, people, who come here and try to find answer are either the ones who are experienced and dumb(because if they are not,they wouln’t have been come here, just to flaunt their years of knowledge) or they are real needy, who just graduated from some not-so-recgonized college and have big dreams in their eyes. The article(or whatever you call it) does not give that needy person a fair idea of it. All it gives is some tips which is of no use to the needy ones. I insist all the writers and the consultants that please write something what is simple, crisp and is understandable to the beginners(real readers). Thank you. PS: It Was a very good article though.
Hi all,
I am Manik Kshirsagar. Completed B.Com, with 3 years of experience with Deloitte. I want a change now, as my background is into accounts/finance. I'm looking for for the copmanies like KPMG. Can anybody help me out?
My id is manik251@gmail.com. Hoping a reply soon.
i have done ca ipcc with both groups with 60% …i want to know that how i can do internship/articleship with big4…
wats the process…….please let me know on 9953752597……..
hi
I started CA after doing M.Com . I m 29yrs old. I hv passed all exam levels of CA at first attempt (ca final nov 2011 ) & hv recd an offer frn Delloite us for statutory audit of us clients. shd i join it ?
what's the hierarchy at deloitte?
What about joining the firm at a slightly higher level in case you have 5-6 years of industry experience?
and how much is the industry experience valued in case you want to focus on some specific verticals like telecommunications etc….