Dont ever think you have comparatively lesser views. You are a gem and you are doing great things. All the best.

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thanks reaffirms me skipping big 4 to start with the federal government instead (a pre-approved position). Will also be starting the CPA journey in October.

@shellyfox9338

Ай бұрын

So happy to see this! Welcome to public service, Josh, and so glad to have you here. We desperately need young professionals of every kind, and what we can’t pay you with money, we make up for with vacation time, stability and the genuine satisfaction of serving the public good. Thank you for answering the call!

This video was what I needed! I am starting a big 4 role in assurance in September and was really anxious what it would be like especially after seeing all the Reddit posts and KZread videos. When u started, were you able to pick working on private clients or did they just assign u to anything that was short staffed (public companies, fso, private) ?

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

I was able to pick private when I started!

good for you! Big 4 is not for everyone. While is definitely helps to have big 4 experience on your resume, it not the only option out there for accounting graduates, especially those who want a life outside of work.

I quit Deloitte USI as well a month ago worked there for almost 2 years. The work culture was becoming more & more toxic and felt like busy throughout the year affevting my health and personal life. Working at a big 4 is not for everyone 😅 Now pursuing my CPA as well

You mentioned that you did a couple of internships. How many internships did you do? Was it all during your undergrad? And did having multiple internships end up delay your graduation?

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

I did a total of 4 internships in my undergrad, where one of them was a co-op (during a term of school) and so this pushed my graduation date by 1 term. I ended up taking 5 years total to spread my course load ☺️

@marsha3283

2 ай бұрын

@@KatrinaKwong thanks for responding! Do you think it’s worth it that you delayed your graduation to give way for all those internships? I have an offer for a potential third internship, but I’m hesitating to accept because it will delay my grad a semester behind too. Tbh I really wanted to do this internship but not sure if I should do it or not?

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

Oh definitely. Companies don’t care how long you take to finish school, they care more about work experience. I would 100% go for the internship opportunity because that would make your resume stand out amongst other graduating students! Just my thoughts though :)

Did you end up taking any videos down after HR/legal approached you before leaving? That would be such a hard decision.

I am very fortunate to join a mid size independant firm in Toronto and I still love it there. If youre still interested in the accounting firm, dont give up cuz big 4 is not the end of it!

may I know how long have you been working at big4 though?

how come you didn't like IT audit? What was it that you didn't like about it? I tried to do a swtitch from accounting to IT and it is different lol

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

It was a bit dry for my liking. I made a video on my Technology Risk Advisory experience though: Day in the Life of a Technology Risk Consultant (Big 4) kzread.info/dash/bejne/kYd40sxmqsK0e5M.html

Wow there are so many why I left big 4 accounting videos!

@coldplayer9403

Ай бұрын

Yes, gotta get those views while it’s hot

This might be a stupid question, but if you work as a financial analyst as you are rn, I thought that you need a CFA to work as aFinancial Analyst or to be able to grow further on in your career, since you have a CPA instead of a CFA and ur working as a financial analyst wouldn't that hinder your potential growth at that job?

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

You don’t technically need a CFA or CFA to work in accounting and finance-related jobs. But they definitely help with career progression and promotion when you are benchmarked against competing candidates for qualifications, education, and experience. In many cases, having a CPA in a financial analyst can be a tremendous asset with growth (which is why I made the jump)! However, in order to be a certified public accountant, you DO need a CPA designation. Hope this hopes!

@chessskits1208

Ай бұрын

Financial analyst is a very broad title. If she’s doing forecasting and budgeting then the cpa would make more sense than the CFA

@blazingcoder3196

Ай бұрын

@@KatrinaKwong interestin didn't know that, so high likely is it landing a CFA job as a CPA/recently graduated bachelors degree in accounting?

I moved from tech to big 4 consulting and to be honest it was a massive step backwards

Love yoru videoes

Congrats on escaping the rat race and don't look back. Big4 in Canada also severely underpays for the quality of talent and cost of living in the big cities

Hi, Kristina. On the one hand, the firm was sadly right about the potential legal land mines caused by your KZread presence; it’s a real problem, and I suspect we’ll see more instances of this kind of concern in the future. On the other hand, it truly is a shame, because this was by far the best and most even-handed of these types of videos I’ve seen. You’re a good ambassador for your firm and for the profession. I hope you find a way to continue integrating both parts of your life.

@shellyfox9338

Ай бұрын

My goodness, Katrina, I apologize for the auto-correct fail in my first comment. I have subscribed and in the future, I won’t make that mistake again.

I can’t comment on the video but maam you are ffiinnee respectfully

Sounds like she didn’t leave big four accounting! 😊

What weren’t you getting at the big four accounting firms? Insurance is not accounting though? It’s a small part of accounting! 😊❤

@KatrinaKwong

Ай бұрын

Assurance is what I said! That’s audit in the big 4 firms

Me I’m interested….😊

Did you need a high GPA to accomplish what you did?

@KatrinaKwong

2 ай бұрын

I don’t think it was necessary to have the highest GPA, but it was definitely considered.

Sounds like it would better to go into Government Finance…

CPA is really just not worth it really. The amount of study + the CPA exam dont translate well into your paycheck. You can go in into IT field and get pay way more. Not to say the big 4 runs like you are in an investment banking like Blackrock but without the paycheck lol

Bereavment should be a third party athentication of fact.

Wow…. Big 4 not only own your time 9-5 M-F, they own your sole 24/7/365 ! 😂…. Wow I guess you could speck out your inner feelings without a face and dub your voice, but no one would like to listen to that……😂

@pauzen5365

2 ай бұрын

Sole or soul?