Generation Y accountants are increasingly looking beyond the big four accountancy firms in their formative years, according to a study carried out by accountancy & finance recruiter Marks Sattin.

The research shows just 40% of accountants with less than three years’ experience said it was important to work for one of the big four firms (Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young, PwC), compared to the industry average of 67%. 

Laura Wilson, associate director of the professional services division at Marks Sattin, says: “The credit crunch has convinced Generation Y that being involved in big business is not necessarily something to be proud of – 16.4% of our respondents said that they distrusted large organisations more since the downturn. 

“The Big 4 firms suffered in the eyes of trainee accountants (more than 40% agreed that the Big 4 had a ‘bruised’ reputation) thanks not only to appearing to be part of the machine, but also for having clients who are perceived as being part of the machine.  That put many trainee accountants off working for the top firms and this has led to a rise in the number of trainee accountants seeking to begin their careers outside the Big 4.”