Hi bro, 10 years ago I was also in the similar situation as you - deciding between two offers which are an investment banking role in BB banks or Big 4 Audit. I chose the latter in the end because I believe the big fish in a small pond concept, where I am able to excel in a place of average joes compared to an environment of high fliers in BB banks. It was the best decision of my life because there are really great benefits working as an auditor, such as working with genuine people, transparent career progression and the learning experience. Even during COVID, I was fortunate that I was not retrenched and deeply appreciate my firm (i would have been retrenched in a BB bank).

It feels good to be one of the high flyers in my audit firm and I felt like a king. I am up for partnership this year and I am grateful. I strongly
suggest fresh grads who take their career seriously to ignore on the starting pay and working hours. Try to look beyond these factors and you will realise that audit is the best career and superior over any other jobs u can think of in terms of job stability, good career progression, working with sincere and best people, broad learning experience and lastly, the chance to become an equity partner.

Are you sure you are in audit? Instead of selling your medicine, why don't you give proper advice to guide people on their career choice, and think about actual pros and cons of it. He is choosing audit with mid tier over other jobs.

SG based BB have not done mass layoff of local during covid. In addition, if you truly have a BB offer 10 years ago, you might not necessarily still be in IB now. Could in one of the buyside houses which have a good mix of some stability and pay. You would have enough money to get past a 6 month gap while looking for a new gig.

Let's not write too much stories here. I don't even think you are in audit, much less that you have chosen audit over IB.

There's so much trolling here that this entire thread is pretty worthless for any real career advice.

Really shows the sad state of people in Big4. Must come here talk rubbish and let out steam to compensate for the frustration of being stuck in Big4 on mediocre pay with mediocre jhk colleagues. Compared to the real high fliers outside. LOLL

either a troll or truly delusional idiot

All of these trolls. Why join big 4 and work 3-6 years just to hit the salary (base pay, not even adding bonus) of a FAANG / BB bank / local bank. Mind boggling.

The reason is obvious so you are trolling too.

Then really what is there to talk about? The pay scale in B4 is all standard, so is the progression. JJww also no use. Maybe every 5 years revised upwards by a couple hundred bucks.

is it true that as an accounting grad you will always lose to your comp sci peers and be a loser for life?

Enter the financial sector and you will be in front.

Loser until you become an equity partner in Big4. That’s why I advocate fresh grads to tough in out and grind till equity partner level. Life will be satisfying seeing your efforts being paid off through hard labour.

However, once you give up in the Big4 grind and exit to commercial, you will be loser for life.