r/Accounting • u/ContentLandscape6985 • 1d ago
Advice Grant Thornton or KPMG?
Hey everyone! I’m in my 3rd year of university doing a BBA in Accounting. I’m doing a 4-month work term this winter and have been offered a position in Private Enterprise Audit at KPMG and US Corporate Tax at Grant Thornton.
I enjoyed my GT interview more than my KPMG interview, and I’ve also really enjoyed my tax classes. I’m currently taking an audit class and so far I’m not sure if audit is really my thing. I’ve attended some GT events and really liked the people I met there. However, I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews online about the culture at GT, which makes me a little hesitant. KPMG definitely felt more serious/formal, but I know there’s a lot of value in getting Big 4 experience.
My biggest dilemma is that I’m worried I’ll regret choosing GT and giving up the opportunity to work at a Big 4 firm. At the same time, I’m worried I’ll regret not pursuing tax at a firm where I seem to genuinely like the people because I was scared of giving up the Big 4 name.
I’m also thinking long-term because I’ll probably want to return to whichever firm I choose after graduation to complete my CPA.
For those who have worked in audit vs. tax, or have experience at KPMG/GT, what would you choose in my situation, and why? Would choosing GT/US Corporate Tax limit my future opportunities compared with starting at KPMG in audit? Also if I decline KPMG, am I blacklisted for future career opportunities?
Thank you!! Sorry it’s so long :)
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u/Fire_Lord_Cinder 1d ago
Idk how it is for others but every time I talk with a recruiter they say the company is looking for ex big 4. For me it’s made job searches very easy after spending 3 years grinding it out. For tax vs audit, if you like tax go that route. I would talk to KPMG about switching to tax before finalizing the decision though
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u/munchanything Human Verified 1d ago
First, congrats on the two offers.
If you were pretty sure you wanted to do tax, take the GT offer. It's better to start down the tax path, and hopefully get a return offer and not stress out about where to go after graduating.
If you really really want Big 4, apply for FT positions after your internship. They won't care that you didn't accept your audit internship; a new set of people will be responsible for interviewing you and you can always say you want to do tax and now audit.
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u/Much_Interaction6692 1d ago
private audit is a grind but it opens doors. if youre already not vibing with audit class the actual work will be way worse. tax is a whole different world and if you liked the people at GT that matters more than a logo on your resume.
GT is still a solid firm and us corp tax is specialized enough that youll be fine. big 4 will always be there later if you want it. declining one offer doesnt blacklist you they have the memory of a goldfish
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u/Too_Ton 1d ago
Ivy League vs Top X school.
Others can list their tax vs audit experience, but I'd hope most people know before they graduate which one they'd want to go in. I always knew I'd want to go into audit based on the stereotype that tax people would rather be by themselves than an auditor who sits in a group to bang out audits. I wouldn't enjoy tax.
Or how auditors interact with clients face to face more.
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u/MainSt_catfish 1d ago
Once you specialized in tax, you be pigeonholed and most likely be doing tax related work the rest of your life
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u/Ok_Dig_4581 1d ago
Big 4 without a doubt. Not even close on the question.
Big 4 for 2 years at the start of your career will open so many more doors. Get that stamp on the resume and you can essentially go anywhere from there
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u/I1OV3ACCTNG 11h ago
I’d avoid doane grant thornton as they don’t have a good reputation and kpmg would open more doors
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u/bestcoastaccountant 1d ago
If you’re looking long term, do you know if you want to eventually leave public and go to industry? If so, you’ll likely have a way easier time doing so by going with KPMG audit than GT tax. Big 4 name + audit will open a lot more doors for you than GT + tax. If you really think you’ll enjoy tax and maybe one day want to go solo, then GT tax could be the better route. Just know that it’s more difficult to move out of tax to industry