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Accounting Student Whose Awkward Email Made the Rounds at Big 4 Firms Makes Fitting Retaliatory Video

Posted on by Adrienne Gonzalez

Though it is never our intention, there have been a few times when news published on Going Concern has a life-shattering effect for some people. You know, like that weirdo who was filming coworkers in the bathroom stall next to him and young people stressing about retirement. Heck, even I suffer consequences from being associated with this website every single day.

But in the case of the awkward, if hopeful, young man who reached out to former Big 4 pro after an event to get advice on love in the Big 4, lemons certainly made lemonade. Maybe not a job offer but perhaps he should consider combing [shameless plug] GC Jobs and look for a firm that hasn't been forwarded his email yet.

If you missed the post on Friday and don't feel like clicking over, here's an abridged version:

We met at an event, I was the one with a zit that looked like a cold sore. Just wondering, is a relationship in Big 4 out of the question? I love bitches and bitches love money.

Thanks!

[redacted]
 
Sent from my iPhone

Anyway, the email writer was undeterred by the impact this innocent — if awkward — email had on his career that hasn't even started yet. Someone just give this poor guy a job already, the email wasn't that bad. Certainly we've seen worse over the years.

Here's his video response to the person who made his email whip around the firms faster than pretzels disappearing at Deloitte University.

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Job of the Day: Bloomberg Needs a Technical Revenue Analyst

Bloomberg is looking for an experienced accountant to join its Revenue Operations Team in a Technical Revenue Analyst role.

Key responsibilities include technical reporting for the closing process, implementing procedural and assisting with external audits.

Candidates need 3 to 5 years experience, CPA is a plus and knowledge of SQL server required.


Company: Bloomberg

Title: Technical Revenue Analyst

Location: New York, NY

Description: This position is responsible for playing a contributing role in all aspects required of the Revenue Operations Team. Key responsibilities include technical reporting for the month close process, ad hoc analysis involving complex system data pulls incorporating analytical insight, automating reporting capabilities, revenue and variance analysis, implementing procedural and operational controls, assisting with the interim and annual external financial audits as needed, and responding to sales/senior management requests.

Responsibilities: Accounting, Reporting & Internal Controls Expertise – Demonstrates appropriate understanding / working knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls, and applies them (as required for the position held) to provide objective, timely, and accurate financial information to meet / exceed regulatory and legislative requirements and to help drive business results; Works to ensure compliance of all financial requirements and reporting are met for all products, countries and policies; Ability to document, control, review, and improve policy and procedures as well as departmental tasks to enhance for efficiency and effectiveness.

Financial Analytics Expertise – Demonstrates insightful use of financial analysis techniques, tools, and concepts, to provide practical counsel to business area partners and management in order to drive business results.

Process & Systems Expertise – Understands and facilitates the integration of business processes, people, and relevant technology, in order to identify, configure, and communicate useful information, and to provide practical business leadership to drive business decision making across the company; Identifies non-value added processes within the department and seeks solutions; Effectively makes decisions on more complex issues, giving consideration to relevant costs, benefits and risks; Demonstrates the initiative to drive change and influence others across the organization in support of the company’s goals and objectives; Ensures achievement of desired results by making appropriate recommendations and providing appropriate financial leadership through completion.

Qualifications/Skills: Bachelors in Business Administration (Finance, Accounting, Computer Programming); CPA a plus; 3 – 5 years experience with demonstrated performance assisting/supporting a department; Knowledge of SQL server (version 2000 or higher) required; Knowledge of procedural controls and data validation techniques required; Ability to determine technical requirements for a project given a business request required; Strong MS Excel skills required; SAP/Business Warehouse knowledge a plus; Financial reporting experience a plus; Financial modeling expertise a plus.

See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Big 4 Tax Associate Feels Pigeonholed; Is an Ultimatum Necessary?

Welcome to the All Saints/Election Day Eve edition of Accounting Career Couch. Today a Big 4 tax associate is concerned that their career experience has been too narrow and has been begging TPTB to rotate to a different group. Will a fist-pounding ultimatum finally get the point across?

Have a question about your next career move? Wondering if you should wear your Benjamin Bankes costume all week in order to get your money’s worth? Is your unpatriotic boss refusing to let you leave work tomorrow to vote and you’re thinking of emailing Glenn Beck? Stop! Email us at advice@goingconcern.com and we’ll give you a sane solution.

Back to our trapped tax guru:

I’m currently a 1st year senior at a Big 4 company and I have specialized in the R&D Tax Credit since I started here. Ever since passing my CPA I have been requesting a rotation in other parts of tax such as provision work and FAS109. I keep on getting the ring around from both my Partner and HR who say a rotation is coming but that I just need to be patient.

Since the R&D Tax Credit is such a specialized area I understand that they don’t want to just give me up because they have invested 3 years in me to learn the Credit but it is not fair to my career development to be stuck in one of the many areas of tax. From talking to recruiters and searching the Internet it does not seem like there is really a secondary market for R&D Tax Credit Specialist such as myself and I believe not being able to earn experience in other areas of tax with negatively effect me when I start looking for a private job in the next year or so. What do you recommend that I do? Should I put my foot down and let my partner and HR know I am going to start looking for another job if I don’t get a rotation in the near future or should I start interviewing with other Big 4 firms to find the kind of experience I am looking for? Please help!

Dear R&DTC Associate,

It’s true that some partners/managers will hold on to some SAs or associates like grim death the moment they express interest in doing something different. The concern is typically they don’t want to lose a talented staff person to a more provocative practice or they’re simply too lazy to train someone new. So your concern is valid and it sounds as though you’ve been proactive but you’ve still have some options before going the “take this job” route.

First, go back to both HR and your partner and ask if the rotation is a realistic possibility and requestthe specifics behind the delay. It sounds as though you’ve taken the Job approach and it has gotten you nowhere. Reiterate your patience and express your concerns about your narrow experience.

If that stalls, try reaching out to some partners and managers in the division where you would like to work. Maybe you were recruited by one of them or you have a friend in that group. Explain the situation and perhaps they can broker a solution for you. Going behind your partner and HR probably won’t feel so great but seeing as though you’ve exhausted every other possibility, you have little choice.

If that fails, then it’s time to have the Come to Jesus meeting to get things moving. You don’t sound like you’ve got issues with your firm other than the snail’s pace of the rotation process. Explain your position (again) and this time state that you have little choice but to go somewhere else to get the work experience you desire. Keep it cordial but definitely make your frustration known. Hysterics rarely work. This should get you some answers one way or another. But we don’t think it should have to come to this.

Good luck.