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client service

Client servicing? Do we really have to be nice and polite to clients all the time? Sometimes I just feel like reaming them out for their necessity to give us a hard time for even the simplest requests/questions sometimes. It's almost like a memo goes out to half the clients out there to be hard-asses even though they really have no need to be. If you can easily answer our question/provide documentation, but are just too lazy to do it, then don't stubbornly defend against taking 5 minutes to help us help you. The more you piss us off, the more our "professional skepticism" increases. Seriously, aren't we supposed to be independent and not have to appease them every so often?
There is this very thin line between independence and client "service", and I don't like it when we have to bite our lips and not speak our mind when they go off on one of their tantrums. Oh well, I guess, doing just enough to maintain client relationships while being as professionally skeptical is possible is a balancing act that needs to be done in this business
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Anonymous said…
When big4 go to schools for big4 presentations, they always emphasize "we think and care our employees first". However, I know that is a lie. I desperately believe that the southern beach condos are partners' top priority concern. "For my condo, satisfy clients." For partners, staffs are bullshit. B/C they have enough backups(college juniors+seniors who dream big4).
December 14, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Anonymous said…
I am in a predicament and need some help. I received several offers for public accounting experience and accepted an offer at one of the Big 4. I am currently interning in a fortune 500 company's tax department and they just offered me a job today making $5000 more a year. I would work a lot less and progessively make more where I intern. I could also get a masters degree while working. I am indifferent between tax and audit. I know about the awesome opportunities with big 4 experience. Any thoughts?
December 15, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Anonymous said…
I don't know where you are going to work. Anyway, you need experience in public accounting(audit or tax) to be a CPA if you are considering it. I don't know what is your state requirement. But in many states, 1-2 yr. experience is needed in auditing. I know they don't pay overtime and bonus(not signing bonus). Only if you are considering to be a CPA, I think Big4 is better to start. A 'big4 experience+CPA' package would give you better benefits when you move to another firm after several years.
December 15, 2008 at 10:22 PM
notfordisplay said…
That's a tough one. I'd say it all depends on what you want to be. Yes, you'd work a lot less. Do you get promoted often though or is it a 2-3 year thing. Is this Company in an industry you have an interest in? If you go into tax, you'll have tons of opportunities in different industries but they'll all be in the tax field. So you have to take that into consideration. If you crave a work-life balance and are unwilling to work long hours at least 3 mths a year, don't go into audit. If you want to be a controller in 4-5 years, you are better off going into audit and getting your cpa while you're here.
December 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Anonymous said…
There are benefits to going Big 4...namely having it on your resume. Just be prepared to basically hate your life while you're there. I know from experience. It's pretty humorous actually...on every audit team I was on...my colleagues openly shared their misery.
December 16, 2008 at 5:51 PM
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