Why I left KPMG? The Dark Side of Big 4 Companies Exposed

Connect with me on LinkedIn:
  / adityashelar  

Connect with me on Instagram:
  / shelar_aditya_  

Connect with me for a 1:1 mentorship:
https://topmate.io/aditya_shelar

--
In this video, I’m sharing my personal experience of navigating through the highs and lows of the corporate world, starting from my first job at Deutsche Bank to the intense work culture of a Big 4 firm like KPMG. 📈 From landing a dream job as a fresh graduate to realizing the harsh realities of corporate life, I’ve seen it all.

💼 Corporate Pressure & Mental Health: Recently, an executive at EY took his own life due to extreme work stress, and while this news shocked many, if you’ve ever worked in a Big 4 company, you’d know the pressures can be overwhelming. I experienced this firsthand during my time at KPMG. With my 7+ years of corporate experience across 10 companies, I can say that working in the corporate sector is not just about earning a hefty paycheck, it’s about surviving the demanding work culture and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. 🏢

🚀 The Dream vs. Reality: Fresh out of BCom, my journey began with a humble start at Deutsche Bank, earning ₹25k a month. From there, I moved to FIS, doubling my salary, and then cracked the CAT to join IIM Lucknow, dreaming of bigger roles and packages. But little did I know, the real challenge was yet to come – long working hours, unhealthy work-life balance, and a toxic environment.

🔥 Surviving the Big 4 Culture: Joining KPMG felt like an ultimate achievement, but it soon turned into the toughest phase of my career. The pressure to work 10-14 hours a day, the expectation to socialize beyond working hours, and dealing with an unsupportive manager took a serious toll on my mental and physical health. 💀 I even noticed how many high-performing colleagues were struggling with obesity and stress, which was a major wake-up call for me.

💡 Lessons Learned: Through these experiences, I learned two important lessons:

📌 People-friendly culture matters more than big brands and salaries:
Having a supportive manager can make a huge difference in your work experience. Your manager’s approach defines your experience more than the company’s culture itself. Even a company with the best policies can feel toxic if your immediate manager doesn’t align with them.

🧠 Making the Tough Decision: After 6 years of non-stop work, I realized I needed to prioritize my health and happiness. I decided to leave KPMG and the corporate hustle to follow my true passion—teaching! This led to the birth of my own venture, FinStreet Education, where I’m finally doing what I love, helping others build their careers. 🎓

👨‍🏫 Why This Video?: I want to give you a reality check on the pros and cons of the corporate world. If you’re preparing for a career in the corporate sector or are already in it, I hope my story helps you be better prepared for the challenges ahead. Remember, a successful career is not just about the money—it’s about finding a healthy balance between work and life, and doing what truly makes you happy. 💪

YT timestamps/chapters:

00:00 - Recent incident at EY Pune
00:25 - Why this video?
01:11 - Chapter 1 Deutsche Bank
03:16 - Chapter 2 FIS
05:30 - Chapter 3 IIM Lucknow
08:25 - Chapter 4 KPMG
15:15 - Chance to follow passion

If you found this video helpful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more real-life insights and career advice! Let’s build a community where we support each other in making informed career choices and finding fulfillment in what we do. 💼✨

#CorporateLife #MentalHealthAwareness #EY #KPMG #WorkLifeBalance #Big4Experience #finstreeteducation #Passion #CareerAdvice