From Big Four Burnout to Tech Depth: Finance Professionals Reveal Why They Left Consulting for In-House Roles

Breaking: Finance Talent Flees Big Four for Tech Companies, Citing Need for Deeper Work and Better Balance

A wave of finance professionals is leaving the Big Four accounting firms for in-house roles at technology companies, driven by a desire for more meaningful work, sustainable pace, and specialized growth, according to three former consultants now at software firm JetBrains.

Nadija Katzová, a financial controller at JetBrains who previously worked at Deloitte Audit, said the move allowed her to pursue complex topics in depth rather than rushing through audits. Mariia Afonina, senior GL accountant and former EY and Deloitte auditor, cited the lack of a pure expert career track in consulting as a key factor. Jean-Paul Straetmans, head of group tax at JetBrains with over a decade at EY, offers a long-term view on the transition.

Background: The Big Four Launchpad Turns into a Friction Point

The Big Four—Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG—have long been considered ideal launchpads for finance careers, offering steep learning curves, high standards, and intense exposure. However, after a few years, many professionals experience frustration.

Deadline-driven work leaves little room for deep dives, and promotion paths often force a managerial track even for those who want to remain technical experts. Work-life balance erodes as switching between clients often demands weekends and holidays.

‘I Couldn't Go Deep in Audit’ – Why Finance Pros Make the Switch

Nadija Katzová said she joined JetBrains because she missed deeper business involvement. “In audit, there isn’t time for many things, and it’s not possible to go very deep – deadlines are strict,” she said. “At JetBrains, there is an opportunity to work with complex topics that need to be explored in detail. As a specialist, I have developed a lot.”

Mariia Afonina echoed the sentiment, adding that workload was a major factor. “In consulting, there is constant switching between clients… Deadlines are tight, and weekends and holidays often become workdays,” she said. “I wanted to follow a different path than management and grow as a subject matter expert.”

Jean-Paul Straetmans, who spent more than a decade in international tax consulting at EY before moving to JetBrains over six years ago, highlighted the long-term ownership aspect. “The biggest shift is moving from being a hired gun on multiple projects to owning a function end-to-end,” he said. “That changes how you think about risk, relationships, and your own development.”

Skills That Transfer: From Consulting to Tech In-House

Despite the cultural shift, core analytical and technical skills from the Big Four remain highly transferable. The three former consultants noted that their ability to manage complex financial reporting, tax structures, and audit processes directly applied to JetBrains' fast-paced, product-driven environment.

However, they emphasized the importance of adapting to a slower, more thoughtful pace that allows for deep expertise rather than quick turnarounds. The change reshapes career trajectories away from general management toward specialized mastery.

What This Means: A New Career Path for Finance Professionals

The exodus from Big Four to tech signals a shift in what finance talent values: ownership, work-life balance, and the freedom to become subject-matter experts without forced management promotion. For companies like JetBrains, this opens a pipeline of highly skilled professionals seeking stability and depth.

For finance professionals considering the move, the advice is clear: assess your tolerance for constant deadlines and your passion for a specific domain. The tech sector offers a chance to build long-term expertise, but requires embracing a different rhythm—one that rewards patience and deep understanding over rapid fire execution.

As Jean-Paul noted, “At the end of the day, you’re no longer just a compliance function—you’re part of building a product. That changes everything.”