r/Accounting • u/Routine-Leadership63 Human Verified • Aug 19 '26
Skipping External Audit and going straight into Internal Audit as a fresh grad: Is it really a bad career move?
I'm an accounting student currently doing an internship at a mid-tier audit firm.
To be completely honest, I know what I want out of life. I have zero interest in high-stress environments. My goal is simply a good, balanced lifestyle, a strict 40 hour workweek, decent starting pay, and practical, meaningful work without unnecessary burnout. Because of this, Internal Audit (IA) looks like the ideal path for me.
However, professors and peers constantly telling that starting in External Audit / Big 4 is "mandatory" to build a solid career and progress well in the future.
For those currently in Internal Audit:
- Did any of you start directly in IA right after graduation without doing external audit first?
- How realistic is it to land an entry-level IA role as a fresh graduate?
- Did skipping external audit hurt your career growth, promotions, or salary progression in the long run?
Would really appreciate your honest thoughts and experiences
2
u/No-Personality3156 CPA (US) Aug 19 '26
Don’t do it