Your path to Articleship in Big 4 Firms!

Big-4 are the world’s largest professional services firms:

• Deloitte
• PwC
• EY
• KPMG

Doing articleship here means undergoing CA practical training (2 years) with exposure to global clients, listed companies, and high-level audit, tax, consulting, and advisory assignments.

Why Every CA Aspirant Wants Big-4 Articleship

Every CA Aspirant wants Big-4 Articleship because of the following reasons

• Brand Value
• Exposure to Large Clients like MNCs and Global Companies
• Structured Professional Grooming through regular training.
• Better Career Opportunities due to exposure to a corporate work environment.
• Networking Advantage
• Better stipend as compared to mediocre firms

Big-4 Articleship Impacts Career

Doing articleship in Big-4 can influence a career in the following ways:

• Easier entry into MNC finance roles
• Preference in consulting, advisory, risk, and investment banking roles
• Higher visibility in campus placements and corporate hiring
• Strong professional confidence and corporate exposure. Many Big-4 interns are also offered jobs in the same firm after qualification.

However, working at Big 4 has its own disadvantages too, like –

• Exposure may be limited to one domain (audit/tax only)
• Long working hours
• Less flexibility for exam leave compared to mid-size firms

Eligibility & What Big-4 Looks For

Big-4 firms typically prefer candidates with:

• Good CA Inter marks
• Strong communication skills
• Excel/analytics skills
• Internship/project experience
• Professional attitude and confidence. Seats are limited, so competition is very high

How to Apply for Big-4 Articleship

Step1 – First, Prepare Your CV

Build Network & Referrals like approaching seniors, LinkedIn contacts, friends

Step 2 — Apply on Portals

Firm career portals

• LinkedIn jobs
• ICAI placement drives

Step 3 — Send Professional Email

Attach CV + short cover note.

Step 4 — Follow Up

Follow up after 5–7 days professionally.

The interview process in Big-4 generally includes:

• HR screening
• Technical round
• Manager / Partner round
• Common Technical Questions
• Accounting standards
• Audit procedures
• GST basics
• Practical scenarios
• Soft skills are evaluated strongly along with technical knowledge. �
• Jurishour

How to Crack Big-4 Articleship Interview

Preparation Strategy

• Revise CA Inter basics (AS, audit, tax)
• Practice speaking concepts clearly
• Prepare real-life case examples
• Do mock interviews
• Interviewers value clarity, ethics, and logical thinking, not just bookish knowledge.
• Personality Factors That Matter
• Confidence with humility
• Communication clarity
• Professional appearance, curiosity, and willingness to learn

Common Mistakes Students Make

• Applying late after the results
• Sending a generic CV to all firms
• No referrals/networking
• Weak communication skills
• Not preparing the technical basics

Strategy to Maximise Chances (Practical Roadmap)

• Immediately after CA Inter results:
• Update LinkedIn + CV
• Contact seniors for referrals
• Apply to all Big-4 offices in multiple cities
• Prepare interview answers
• Learn Excel/Analytics certification while waiting for CA Inter results
• Practice mock interviews

Final Reality Insight

Big-4 articleship is not compulsory for success, but it significantly improves corporate career opportunities, exposure, and brand value. What ultimately matters is skills, learning, and performance during articleship, whichever firm you join.