Honest review after 2 years at a Big 4 consulting firm in KL
by Ahmad Zikri·March 3, 2026
Just left my Big 4 job last month after two years and wanted to share an honest take for those considering it.
The Good:
- Brand name on your CV opens a LOT of doors
- You learn fast — probably faster than anywhere else
- Your colleagues are generally smart and fun to work with
- The training programmes are actually decent
The Reality:
- Work-life balance is a myth, especially during peak audit season. 9am–12am was normal for me.
- Starting pay is around RM3,000–3,500 for fresh grads, which honestly doesn't match the workload
- Senior-level turnover is very high — good people keep leaving
- The promo cycle is slow unless you're really politically savvy
Bottom line: Do 2–3 years to accumulate the brand name, skills, and network, then exit to industry. That's the standard playbook and it works.
Anyone else been through this? Would love to hear different experiences.