Recent big 4 employee, what to do next...?

[randomkidx]

So i've been working at one of the Big 4 companies for the past year and a bit, and was recently let go along with a few other people because our office did not have enough people depart this year so it was a "financial decision", which I call bs on. Anyways, i'm sure I was let go because I did not manage to pass the cke (tough family situation, i'm 23 years old and supporting my parents and siblings, and the stress just got to me).

Going forward for the fall, is there any chance I can get hired at one of the other big 4 offices? (I'm not from Toronto and I didn't attend one of the universities with the campus recruiting).

Also, for the CATO firms when do applications generally open up, and will my big 4 experience be seen as an asset there?


Lastly, in the case that I do not manage to land another job can I still write the CKE and SOA?


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[west5440]

Hiring picks up again when busy season gets closer. Consider GT and BDO. Nothing wrong with smaller firms as well.

[bbraganz]

So i've been working at one of the Big 4 companies for the past year and a bit, and was recently let go along with a few other people because our office did not have enough people depart this year so it was a "financial decision", which I call bs on. Anyways, i'm sure I was let go because I did not manage to pass the cke (tough family situation, i'm 23 years old and supporting my parents and siblings, and the stress just got to me).

Going forward for the fall, is there any chance I can get hired at one of the other big 4 offices? (I'm not from Toronto and I didn't attend one of the universities with the campus recruiting).

Also, for the CATO firms when do applications generally open up, and will my big 4 experience be seen as an asset there?


Lastly, in the case that I do not manage to land another job can I still write the CKE and SOA?


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Did you attempt the May CKE for the first time? I assume that if you have been working at a big 4 for a year or whatever, then you had the opportunity to write it twice. (Jan and May).

[randomkidx]

Did you attempt the May CKE for the first time? I assume that if you have been working at a big 4 for a year or whatever, then you had the opportunity to write it twice. (Jan and May).

I wrote it twice actually =/

[teryst]

yeah you can still write the cke, soa, and ufe. Costs will be out of pocket if you're unemployed of course, and getting your designation will still be dependent on you getting your firm hours to fulfill the requirements.

Since you'll need to work at a firm to qualify regardless, best to wait until you are rehired to write the exams so that the costs are sponsored

[DGTD]

with big 4 experience you shouldn't have a problem to land another job in the field of accounting

[aboyaci]

My regrets about your family situation - its not easy to take on all that responsibility and do CA exams. Its not your fault.

Be positive and you will be able to find a new job in a CA firm. Your biggest asset is the fact that you have some CA firm experience. You are still very young and do have hope. The fact that you were with a big 4 firm is a positive achievement and shows that you have something to provide to the firm.

About the CA exams, I would say do them as soon as possible. Dont wait to get sponsorship from a firm. Its passing of your exams which will lead you to your CA. Once your exams are done, the sky is the limit with a bit more experience to be gained by then.

Tho you do need to be careful here with your exams and experience hours. Now that you are out of a job and have not passed the SOA, you may need to check in with the ICAO since there is I believe a 90 day clause where you must be employed again or your student status is taken away. Hopefully you will find work soon!

[world25]

The next step is to apply for jobs.

[slykwai]

I dont want to rain on your parade but practically, chances of big 4 taking you back is low as you have not passed CKE twice. i would spread your application to mid and small CATO to improve your chances.

I am not sure you can rewrite as i think your CA student status will be taken away if you are not rehired within a stipulated time (90 days above?)

It is a tough process. Good luck.

[Nucks]

My evidence is completely based on experiences of people I knew (limited sample) but those with big 4 experience that got let go for whatever reason ended up taking it off their resume when re-applying for smaller firms.
I don't know if they did that after negative experiences or perhaps they just didn't want their previous employer to be contacted for whatever reason.

Failing an exam twice definitely would look poor though, so I guess it's up to you how much you'd want to reveal to a prospective new employer.

[saitojohn]

I am not sure you can rewrite as i think your CA student status will be taken away if you are not rehired within a stipulated time (90 days above?)

Can anyone provide a link to the section on ICAO website regarding this 90-day employment clause for the CA student status? I tried searching on ICAO's site but came up with nothing.

Just to be clear: let's say a CA student has completed the experience requirement but still hasn't passed the UFE. If her employment is terminated by the CATO and she is not rehired within 90 days, her CA student status would be stripped and then what? She would need to start the CKE/SOA/UFE process all over again when she eventually finds employment?

[poorwingman]

Just contact the ICAO to see what will happen and discuss your eligibility to write the exams.

I understand that that after the mass layoffs after 2008, that the ICAO increased the flexibility so that people could still write exams.. but it just sucked for them bc they had to pay for the exams... I don't know if that was a temporary measure due to the high number of layoffs or if it was permanent... who knows.. maybe even that was urban legend because I am so out of the game (as those measures wouldn't have affected me)

Bottom line.. I'm saying dont' get advice on here for that because it's unlikely that any RFD'er knows the rules intimately and we're likely to be passing on urban legends... ultimately, you'll need the ICAO's approval anyways.. so just call them.. it's not like it'll have any repercussions of calling them to discuss your circumstances...

[sardaukar]

I am not sure you can rewrite as i think your CA student status will be taken away if you are not rehired within a stipulated time (90 days above?)

I called the ICAO and clarified. The 90-days clause is a thing of the past. You have 10 years from the date of CA student registration to complete the whole CA process (ie. all exams and all work experience requirement). Your CA student status will not be taken away within this 10-year period as long as you pay your annual dues, even if you are not employed by a CATO.