EY Tax US

I had a mental breakdown today and actually cut my hand from punching my mirror. I am not doing well.

For the past few weeks I’ve been booked back to back, with some weeks lighter and some weeks completely unmanageable. This week I’m on 4 clients, 15-20 hours each (which as you know ends up being more) that’s 70+ hours of scheduled work in a 5-day week. Then two other clients off schedule but at least 5 hours each.

A huge chunk of my “delays” aren’t mine. I’ve been waiting on reviews that other people are sitting on. So much of this work had been done since early June and hadn’t been moving because someone above me hasn’t looked at it, and then when it finally does move, it all lands at once, right when I have zero slack to absorb it.

A few weeks ago, it was actually worse. This got bad enough that they actually pulled some clients off my plate to help me catch up. Good, right? Except I somehow got fully looped back into that engagement anyway with all the delays coming in full force. So now I’ve got that and all the clients that were kept on my schedule, plus the one I got pulled back into, all hitting at once, two weeks before deadline. I’ve looked at other coworkers retains and they don’t have NEARLY as much scheduled.

I’m not doing good work right now. I’m doing scattered work. I’m splitting my attention across 6 engagements and doing a mediocre job on all of them instead of a good job on one, because there’s no version of this where I can actually focus. I am the only senior on 3 of them, and the managers are very hands off. And the part that scares me most is ending up on a PIP. Not because you’re bad at the job, but because you got spread so thin nobody can tell you’re capable of doing it well.

I don’t even know if it’s worth flagging again since they already “helped” once and it didn’t actually reduce my load. Anyone else been in this spot, where asking for help again feels pointless, but staying quiet feels worse? Please what do I do before I just kill myself.

Hey everybody!

I'm seeing several openings for FT positions but I only see 2 for audit out of like ten cities that I would want. Does anybody know if there's still any yet to open?

Additionally I'm curious about DAT. If I did audit internships and a few data classes in my MAcc work would that be a good one to apply for as well?

Thanks for any and all thoughts!

I’ve been suffering for depression for the last 6 months and had a low performing year overall. My work started out strong but has really suffered the last 2 months even missing certain deadlines for work.

I know and my seniors know that I’m capable of doing the work, but I’ve been struggling. What should I do?

I’m a BCA graduate and have been working at EY GDS as a Risk Analyst for a little over a year. My work is mainly related to IT Audit/Risk.
Recently, I was hoping for a decent salary increase, but I was told that I shouldn’t expect or demand much after working for just one year. The problem is that it’s becoming really difficult to manage expenses and survive in a city like Bangalore with my current salary.
I’m now wondering what my options are moving forward.

I’m also finding the team environment challenging, as some of the seniors and managers have been toxic, which is making the decision about staying or switching even more difficult. I’m feeling confused about whether I should stay and gain more experience or start preparing for a switch now. Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks!

What is this best tax service line overall???

Private Tax
Federal
International
Tax Technology
SALT

Hey everyone I’m joining a B4 as an Audit associate in Fall 2027. I’m interested if I should try recruiting for consulting/advisory at another B4 and am interested in the starting compensation and future opportunities. What does the career outlook look like in the service line? Thanks guys!

Hi just like the title says, I had a director/ partner in person interview on aug 10th, I got an email today from my recruiter asking for a virtual meeting next week. What should I expect? Is this another interview or a discussion? Thanks

I have been trying to add and talk to people on LinkedIn, but I don’t get many replies. I am coming up on two years at the firm.

I’m currently a staff accountant in the oil and gas industry, and I’m interested in transitioning to a Big 4 firm, preferably in the Midwest region and specifically the Chicago office. I’m currently in Texas A&M master of accounting program so it’s a referral for the 2028 winter internship when it opens up.

I know a partner at one of the Big 4 firms who is based in the Southern region. If he refers me for a position in the Midwest, how much weight would a partner referral carry even though he is in a different region? Would a referral from a partner significantly increase my chances of being selected for an interview or position in the Chicago office?

Anyone ever worked in international shared service centre, Gurgaon? What is your opinion about the firm?

Trying to think through this logically. Is it smarter or easier to perform well and get the team to like you during a winter internship vs a summer one? My thinking is winter is busy season so there's more real work and more facetime with people, but also probably more stressful and less room for hand holding. Summer feels like it might be more relaxed with more structured training but maybe less opportunity to actually prove yourself since it's less crunch time.

For anyone who's done both or has strong opinions, which one actually sets you up better for a return offer? Trying to figure out where to focus my energy for audit

As per title, I would like to know if there's any skills that I should learn beforehand (e.g SQL or any programming language). I have heard that I'll mainly be a screenshot merchant from the posts I've seen here so far. Thank you!

Joining as a staff auditor next month and my family has a vacation planned in December spanning 2 weeks. I plan to just apply for PTO but would like some insight into possible unforeseen repercussions to taking such a long vacation so early into my time with the company and so close to busy season. I will be working in a smaller office and would likely be placed onto smaller teams making my absence more impactful.

Would it be better just to forget the vacation altogether? I don't want to have a bad rep when just starting at the company but maybe I am making this out to be a bigger deal than it actually is? I just need some insight or recommendations. Thanks.

I am currently working at big 4 under an audit position. Over the last weekend, I meet a guy who claimed he was a CPA(no longer practicing) and a PWC alumni of 4 years. When I asked him how long it took him to pass each section. He told me he studied full time from Monday through Thursday and took the test Friday for each section. He then would take a break from Saturday to Sunday and do it again for each section. He told me studied for half a week and passed them all doing this method.

For the record, it took me 2 months of studying to pass Far while working for full time. Do you think he was lying to me or do you think he was telling the truth?

Hello,

I applied recently for an internship at a Big 4 firm with a referral

And got an email from a person talking about the referral program in the early talent (campus) recruitment team

Theyre saying their role is to help answer questions about campus recruitment stuff

And above all, asking me to have my resume ready for the virtual coffee chat in Word format

What is this? What should i be expecting to talk about? Is this like a screening or interview or something? Will i be grilled on my resume during the call?

Hi everyone, seeking some career advice as I’m at a bit of a crossroads.

I’m based out of India with 7 years of Big 4 offshore experience. I spent my first 5.5 years doing Stat Audit at EY GDS and then transitioned to Internal Audit / Risk Advisory in PwC AC, where I am currently a Senior Associate. I don’t hold a CPA—I did enroll but honestly lost the motivation to finish it. (maybe I will give a final attempt)

I got a random interview call for a Control Finance AVP role at a leading global bank (Barclays). I took it just to brush up on my interview skills, but to my surprise, I cleared it and they are currently drafting the offer. Now I’m really confused on whether I should take it. Here is the dilemma am overthinking currently.

• I don’t see a promotion happening for at least the next two years, and the yearly hikes will likely just be average. With the rapid advancement of AI and overall global economic uncertainty, staying at the Big 4 is starting to feel like a gamble. I personally know people who have been laid off due to low util etc.

• The bank is offering a 34% hike per the quoted figure by HR (though I plan to push for at least 40% once the draft hits my inbox).

• My current Big 4 role is incredibly flexible. I only have to visit the office twice a month, which lets me comfortably work from my home state. The bank job will require me to fully relocate back to the city.

• The new role is heavily focused on Investment Banking. I have zero prior experience in IB. I brought this up multiple times during the interviews, but they didn't seem bothered and went ahead with me anyway. I'm worried about being thrown into the rabbit hole.

My Questions for the sub:

1) Has anyone made a similar pivot from Big 4 offshore straight into a banking AVP role?

2) Am I overthinking the lack of Investment Banking experience, considering they already know my background?

3) Is trading a comfortable remote setup for relocation and a 35-40% hike worth it in the current market or should I push for more?

4) How is an AVP title in Banking Control Finance viewed compared to a Big 4 Senior Associate/Assistant Manager? Is this typically a team handling role or a heavy IC (Individual Contributor) position?"

5) What will my career trajectory look like? I've spent time in External and Internal Audit and now I'm pivoting to a Bank. Does taking an IB Control Finance role narrow my future options strictly to banking operations, or does it leave doors open for broader FP&A / Corporate Finance roles in non-banking MNCs down the line.

Would really appreciate any insights or reality checks!

I cleared two different interview loops for a product manager position at Deloitte NY (diff orgs), but due to various reasons, somebody else keeps beating me to the actual offer. I'm now in team matching without needing to re-interview for either org. If you're a hiring manager with headcount for a product role - would you be open to chatting?

I'd love to learn about what problems you're working on, where you're using (or not using) AI, and where a product person may be helpful. This goes if you're not hiring as well.

And if you're interviewing, happy to answer questions on the interview process. Without giving away actual questions of course.

I’m a Big Four financial services associate working mainly with investment banking clients. I’ve just passed all 15 ACA exams and should complete my training file in September. So this September I would become an assistant manger. Sadly I do not pass ACA exams the first time, I’ve failed BST once.

My background is slightly unusual because I studied an arts subject at university rather than maths, finance or economics. However, I’m actually quite quick with numbers and I really enjoy figuring out difficult questions. I’ve performed well in audit and received strong ratings, but I’ve realised that I don’t really enjoy the job itself. In my experience, performing well somehow also means being given more work. I also find some parts of audit frustrating because I’m quite quick-minded and impatient, and I don’t particularly enjoy repetitive documentation and chasing people.

I’m also wondering whether part of the problem is my mindset rather than just audit. I care a lot about my work, tend to take responsibility for everything, and find it difficult to mentally switch off.

I’ve worked with Valuation Control, Product Control and Middle Office teams.

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has made a similar move:

● What are the best exit opportunities from Big Four FS audit if I want a better work-life balance?
● Would Valuation Control, Product Control or Middle Office be realistic options for someone with my background?
● Are there other roles I should consider?
● What technical knowledge should I start building before applying?
● How difficult is it to move into these roles without a finance/economics degree?

What are the companies we can aim for after working in Deloitte as a Java Backend dev?

I don't prefer companies who laid off easily.

Also which skills I need to work on more.

I got a referral from a friend who is a manager in EY, the issue starts here, i was in progress of an application on the 10th of August but did not finish it, but got the referral today, I'm just wondering whether the referral will apply to the old uncompleted application or is it bound to the new one.

Hi everyone, I left my job at an audit firm a while back, where I specialized in asset management funds and private equity. I also have some experience in general corporate audit and financial analysis. I’m having trouble finding a new audit role, so I’d like to take this opportunity to become a data analyst—a field that has always appealed to me—while staying within the finance sector. I understand that I need to master tools like SQL, Power BI, and Python/R, and also grasp AI and its applications in finance. I’m not sure where to start. In your opinion, which courses or certifications would be useful for becoming a financial data analyst? I’m looking for a clear roadmap. Thanks for your help!

Hi everyone,

I joined this company two months ago as a senior employee. Initially, I was referred by a colleague, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to increase my salary and gain more experience.

However, nothing has turned out as I expected. I'm in a broken engagement that is literally on fire.

They are forcing us to work a lot of overtime without considering their own policies, and you have to beg if you want to leave work at the end of your working hours.

A colleague had an emergency involving a relative, and my manager forced him to finish his task before allowing him to leave. All of this happened outside his working hours.

I'm not used to this kind of situation. I consider myself a good worker, but I just want to know at least what time I'll be able to leave work when I start in the morning.

I suppose this is not my company, right?

Hello, I'm a new grad who's going to start an audit grad scheme in one of the big 4 (too late to leave now 🥲).

I was wondering what exit opportunities are present and what roles others have taken after the audit stint. I've heard about industry accountant roles and so on, but would like to hear from people who have taken this path.

Thank you

I am from a 10 man audit firm and mainly do non profits. I know hours are about 2x but is it far more complex work? Standards much higher? More micromanaging I assume.