Big 4 accounting firm vs. experience with a small accounting firm?

Hi, I graduated from Ohio State this past August but did not have a job lined up. I really really wanted to work for the Big 4 and did interview with all of them at various times throughout the year but did not get an offer at the time. I think this was mainly because I did not do an internship and I was actually interviewing for a full-time position. After grueling interviews for a year, I finally got a job as an auditor with a regional smaller firm which has about 130 people. I got offered $40,000 starting salary with a $1,000 signing bonus. I really wanted to work with the Big 4 but I don't know if it's all cracked up to be. Most of the people I work with now have come to the firm after having Big 4 experience. My plan previously was to work here for a while and then try to get a audit position with the big 4 but I don't know if I should do that. Should I? Is it easier to get with the big 4 after my experience. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Having the name of a larger firm on your resume will help your career. I think that some of the big consulting and accounting firms also give training to their employees that gives them a more 'polished' and professional presence.

Having said that, I have heard from friends that have worked in big consulting firms, that they work you to death. Everything is about billable hours so they want you working lots of them. There is usually heavy travel. This constant work at 120% mode gets old quick. That is why lots of people get out of the gig and move to smaller firms or big companies that aren't consulting companies....like Fortune 500 manufacturing companies, for instance.

Then they are able to use the skills they gained from a consulting firm at a company that doesn't work it's people to death. So they are able to demand higher salaries and get fleibility when it's time to have kids.