5 Reasons to choose a career in an Independent Firm

Does the Big 4 offer the best experience?

Independent firms can provide an all-round accountancy experience and not only one part of a process unlike working in a Top 10 or Big 4 firm.

Working in an independent firm can provide you with more freedom when working with clients across all areas of their business.

Independents provide the opportunity to build a wider breadth of skills and technical experience. As an accountant in an independent firm you can gain exposure to tax, audit, accounts and pay role.

Working in Big 4 may mean that you become more specialised in one area of accountancy and could possibly constrain yourself to one service line.

Exposure to clients

Professionals in the independent sector are more in-tune with the local market and have a more personable relationship with clients.

You tend to work more closely with them in more of a strategic role rather than simply just an accountant.

Clients of independent accountancy firms want one contact to deal with rather than a team of different people which is often the case with Big 4 or Top 10 firms.

As you will be responsible for a wide variety of work with each client, you can truly see how you and your team are benefiting the business and adding value.

Access to Partners and senior decision makers

Access to the decision makers on a daily basis within your firm allows you to learn from seniors, build experience and enhance your career prospects.
This type of access provides you with first hand insight into life as a partner.

Independent partners have a voice and are listened to with the ability shape direction of firm and ability to make decisions; this is in contrast to larger firms where there will be a larger number of partners and layers of hierarchy. Therefore, having access to the senior decision makers in a small accountancy firm can certainly have its benefits.

Is there a better work/ life balance?

There is a genuine work/ life balance when working for an independent firm as you tend to be in more control of your portfolio of clients.

Having a closer working relationship with clients makes it easier to plan work better resulting in less unforeseen requirements demanding long hours and short timeframes which is common place in Big 4 firms.  

Can you proactively influence your career progression at an independent firm?

By the nature of the service independent firms provide to their clients, accountants tend to acquire a more rounded experience as they work across a number of areas which will only enhance your career prospects.

You build up a wealth of experience, discover what you enjoy most and where your skills are best used. This provides you with a platform to have more control over the direction of your career and make informed decisions on the roles that you apply for.

An individual with a broad range of experience is far more appealing to new firms or even your current firm if you are looking for a promotion. This is in contrast to spending a number of years working solely within audit or tax in a large firm for instance; you become more specialised and, therefore, could restrict your opportunities to move into another area of work.