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Zachary, Audit associate at Big 4 Accounting Firm: Advize Career Interview
A career path shift from physics to economics and accounting led to a Big 4 audit associate position.
The journey, marked by unexpected skill development from a bussing job and a later internship, highlights the value of diverse experiences.
Daily tasks vary significantly, from intense "busy seasons" requiring long hours and extensive client interaction to quieter periods.
Success requires meticulous attention to detail, confidence balanced with humility, and strong social skills.
While the role offers autonomy and intellectually stimulating challenges, a "velvet prison" of perks and great exit opportunities awaits.
Effective time management is paramount, and prior experiences like fraternity treasurer and relevant coursework build crucial foundational skills.
Aspiring auditors should be prepared for a unique internship application timeline and anticipate the impact of demanding work on personal time.
The interviewee's journey underscores that while accounting may not always be glamorous, it offers significant intellectual reward and excellent future prospects.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
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Job Functions
Traits
Zachary Milano
Audit associate
Big 4 Accounting Firm
Cal Poly
None
Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Greek Life Member
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Career Path of an Audit Associate at a Big 4 Accounting Firm
Zachary's career path began with a switch from physics to economics and accounting at Cal Poly, driven by a preference for "how things work, but in a more business sense". While early internships offered limited professional development, a busser role unexpectedly provided valuable skills in prioritization and multitasking, ultimately leading to a current Big 4 audit associate position where their initial internship experience is no longer representative of their daily tasks.
Main Responsibilities of an Audit Associate at a Big 4 Accounting Firm
Zachary's role as an audit associate at a Big 4 firm involves significant "legwork," verifying the accuracy of financial information, such as "iPhone sales," and ensuring proper financial statement representation. A key aspect of the role also includes team management and proactive follow-up with supervisors to ensure timely progress on tasks.
A Day In The Life Of An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Accounting Firm
A day for an audit associate at a Big 4 firm is highly variable, ranging from "not even open[ing] up my laptop" during off-seasons to long hours during busy seasons. The work involves significant client interaction, as illustrated by the need to "talk to the client a lot" to understand discrepancies and ensure the accuracy of financial information.
Most Important Skills For An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Accounting Firm
For a Big 4 audit associate, a crucial skill is "confidence to assume that you are right," balanced by the "humility to also understand that you could be wrong." This confidence, combined with meticulous attention to detail—the ability to identify even small inconsistencies in large datasets—is essential for success in this role.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Accounting Firm
Despite being an entry-level audit associate, Zachary values the significant autonomy afforded to him, "there's a lot of just giving me a task and saying, look, we know you can figure it out." This freedom, coupled with the intellectually stimulating nature of the work – solving "new kinds of puzzles" within each client's unique financial data – makes the role engaging and rewarding, defying the stereotype of accounting as monotonous.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Audit Associate at a Big 4 Accounting Firm
Zachary, an audit associate at a Big 4 accounting firm, identifies "attention to detail" as the biggest challenge in the role, admitting a tendency to "get close to finishing something and then...saying, oh, it's done," highlighting the importance of meticulousness in the profession while also reassuring aspiring auditors that improvement is ongoing and achievable.
Favorite Parts of Working in Accounting as an Audit Associate
Zachary, an audit associate, finds the perks— "free phone," "access to gyms"— appealing, yet feels trapped by these benefits, describing the situation as a "velvet prison." The "great exit opportunities" are what motivates Zachary, highlighting a common sentiment among professionals facing long-term commitment in such demanding roles.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Accounting According To An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Firm
To thrive in the auditing industry, a genuine "love for it" is crucial, but equally important are strong social skills and assertiveness, balanced with politeness. Success requires individuals to be efficient, confidently raising issues ("deal with them head on"), while remaining considerate of colleagues.
What an Audit Associate at a Big 4 Accounting Firm Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Accounting Industry
Zachary, an audit associate, wishes they had better appreciated their pre-work free time before starting, as the demanding "busy season" significantly impacts personal time, requiring a work-life balance adjustment. While their internship initially presented monotonous tasks, Zachary's current role involves more "compelling work" and "judgment," showcasing a progression beyond rote tasks to more engaging responsibilities.
Entry-Level Positions For Audit Associates At Big 4 Accounting Firms
The primary entry-level position in Big 4 accounting is an audit associate, requiring a second-year internship application for a summer position after the third year of undergraduate study—a "year and a half gap" between application and employment. This contrasts with most other internships, and the interviewee notes they used the intervening time for "something that I wanna do," highlighting the unique timeline and planning required for Big 4 roles.
Significant Career Lesson From An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Firm
Effective time management is crucial for success in a demanding career like Zachary's at a Big 4 accounting firm, as "time management is everything," impacting both work and personal life to maximize productivity and well-being. The ability to effectively use their time, whether for rest or activity, has proven significant to their career.
College Experiences That Helped An Audit Associate At A Big 4 Firm Succeed
Zachary's fraternity treasurer role instilled "being thorough" and "following up on things," skills directly applicable to the meticulous nature of accounting. Academic coursework, particularly understanding "how complex journal entries work," provided a foundational understanding crucial for daily tasks in the profession, despite not directly performing journal entries in the current role.
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