[jeff]

Hey NINJAs,

I’ve asked the guys at Big 4 Career Lab to come over here and answer any questions you may have about Big 4/Public Accounting.

Big 4 Career LAB is a project by James Whittaker and Seth Collins–two Big 4 alumni–who are dedicated to helping others secure the Big 4 career they deserve.

To date they have helped thousands of students and experienced professionals learn everything they need to know about the Big 4 recruiting process.

James took a very unconventional route into the Big 4, from Chemistry major at a small UK University to Partner-track Senior Manager at Deloitte NYC. He left the Big 4 after almost 10 years to pursue his passion for mentoring others and helping “unique” candidates succeed.

He has undertaken over 500 on-campus and office interviews and reviewed thousands of resumes.

He is also an avid mountain biker.

Seth graduated from the University of Houston and began his career at Deloitte.

Seth is also NINJA Alum.

He now works at a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas company and co-owns Big 4 Career LAB.

His passion is helping people get into the careers they deserve through mindset, preparedness, and hard work. Outside of the accounting world, Seth spends his time at parks with his son and loves to (somewhat counter-intuitively) workout and brew beer.

https://www.big4careerlab.com/

[James Big 4 Career LAB]

Hey @patsfan94

Did you interview during fall recruiting? If so how did it go?

You mention your careers center wasn't helpful, I'll assume for this answer that you're not at a “target” school for the Big 4.

Your experience definitely seems excellent, but coming from a non-target school it is more difficult for you to get into the Big 4. The Big 4 recruit from target schools to make it easier for themselves (less work required). Therefore, if the Big 4 do not come to your campus, you have to go to them. You do that by networking extensively. You'll need someone at the Big 4 to hand over your resume to the right person, that's really the only way you can get in from a non-target school. Apply online rarely, if ever, works.

We have some stuff on our website about networking, non-target schools and spring recruiting if you would like to check it out. I would copy it here but there's a lot to say!

If you have another specific question I can answer it.

[patsfan94]

I actually did get quite a few interviews (I believe 7 on-campus total, including 2 of the Big 4) and went to a few office interviews with good firms, but it didn't happen for me, unfortunately. I know my school isn't a target for the Big 4, EY didn't even come to recruit here, but I do have a few classmates who ended up at the Big 4 and it is a solid program with excellent CPA exam pass rates.

I definitely dp regret not applying to a target school, and not applying for public accounting internships during Fall 2016 recruiting though.

During the fall I did have my supervisor at my previous position, a former Big 4 Senior, send my resume out to some people she knew at her old firm and others with a recommendation, but unfortunately, I was never contacted by anyone.

I'm not the best at interviews which is probably a large part of the reason why I didn't end up with an offer, but I feel like I couldn't have been a total disaster given that I did go to a few second rounds, and generally have been able to land good internships in the past.

I'm definitely not Big 4 or bust, but I would definitely prefer to start my career at a national or good size regional firm rather than the one-office, individual and small business, firm that I'm doing m internship at now. I'll definitely look at your website though, and look for opportunities. Any other advice would be helpful as well.

[James Big 4 Career LAB]

@patsfan94

Ok, so your experience is definitely great if you secured 7 interviews. As you said, it seems that your interview technique is maybe lacking. The thing is, that is easily fixable. Most candidates do not do any specific interview practice (outside of just repeating answers in their head) and that's where you can stand out.

We have a specific interview post on the site that you should check out as it goes through some of the issues you might be having.

I don't think you'll have any problem getting a mid to large accounting firm position honestly. They will be crawling after you with your GPA! Work on the interview skills and you'll do great.

[J King]

Hello James and Seth,

First of all, thank you @jeff for establishing this great thread.

What are the chances of someone,
– below 3.0 college GPA
– out of school for 4 years, never had internship
– in his mid 20's
– and has about 3 years of staff accounting experience
.. to get into public accounting?

Thanks so much!

[Seth Big 4 Career LAB]

Howdy @J King,

Great question. I think in this situation it's going to be challenging, but there's opportunity here for a turn-around story.

Since you have three years of experience and you're working on your CPA, when applying to jobs you'll want that to be the main focus that you sell yourself on, not your GPA.

If I were you, while you work on the exams, start finding networking events to attend and start scoping out public accounting firms you want to work at and try to meet people who work there. You can do that in-person and online. Then when you're done with the CPA exams you can start applying hard.

Again, challenging but not impossible by any means.

[Parthamis]

How hard is it to break BACK into public accounting in my basic situationL

I have a MST with a 3.3 GPA, Graduated May 2016
Passed all CPA exams.
let go (fired) from my prior firm December 2016 for ‘corporate culture' reasons.
unemployed essentially all of 2017.
Working in Government as of January, eagerly waiting for the fall recruiting season.
age 25, soon to be 26.

[Seth Big 4 Career LAB]

@parthamis good question!

When you were unemployed in 2017, were you taking that time to study and pass the exams?

The key for you I think will be to position yourself correctly for public again. They are going to want to know why you only worked in public for a few months, took a year off, and went into Government.

Avoid any negatives or saying things like, “I just took this job because…”.

Fall recruiting is definitely the main time, but I think you could really be on the look out year-round. Get your resume up to date now, start looking for networking events in your area or your school (alum events) now, and practice your positioning for when they ask now. The key to your success lies in preparation right now I think.

The fact that you got in once is a good thing. The last thing I'd note is, are you going to have a problem with “corporate culture” again at another public firm? I'm not sure of the situation so I can't say, but that's just something to consider too.

Best of luck to you and if you need any further help, please reach out!

[Parthamis]

Thank you for the response Seth.

I believe I would have positive things to say about Government as I did actually want to work for the city my junior and beginning of my senior year.

I will not have a problem with corporate culture again. I know the things I've done wrong and through time I've changed my demeanor and attitude, and life outlook.

I did pass all 4 parts in 2017.
BEC+REG in Q1
failed AUD in Q2
Passed FAR in Q3
Passed AUD in Q4.

I do not know what I could say about not working at the last job long enough… maybe ‘the opportunity simply did not work out.'

I need to be at my job for another 5 months for my probation period to end and be allowed to use vacation days to interview.

[James Big 4 Career LAB]

Keep them coming guys, we're here to answer your questions!

[Seth Big 4 Career LAB]

@parthamis anytime – it sounds like you have a good plan in place. I would simply allude to the fact that you were fortunate enough to take the time off and you're exploring new opportunities now in pubic. You've got about 5 months to start preparing which is awesome news 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

39 yr old MSA student here that is also working on CPA exams. I don't have any accounting or corporate 9-5 experience, self-employed in the arts currently.

I have a good GPA and interviewed with a Big 4 (2 in-person interviews) and also a top 20 firm (1 phone/1 in person ) but didn't get an offer from either.Got some feedback from the top 20 that mentioned lack of “office” experience as a concern

While in school I decided to crank out the exams while studying instead of doing an internship, and wonder if this will hurt my chances of getting a full-time position. I plan to finish exams by end of summer and graduate in December. Looking to start full-time acct. position in mid-Oct or Nov.-ish.

How should I handle looking for a public accounting job now and during fall recruiting?

Should I focus on getting a internship after I graduate or apply for full-time positions or try to do both?

[rumimowete]

Hi everyone.

I am 34 years old and an international student.I have a B sc. Accounting and a Chartered Accountant all from Nigeria (Africa).

As for my experience ,I was a banker for 8 years also in Nigeria before relocating to the US in 2016.I am currently a stay home mum on a dependent visa (F2) and awaiting my result on the last part of my CPA exam.I volunteer on Saturdays as a free tax preparer under the state VITA program.

Based on my international evaluation I have 151 credits from both my Bsc and from courses taken to be a chartered Accountant in Nigeria.

Please I have 2 questions:
1.Do you think I need to do a masters here in the US to improve my chances of getting a full time job in public accounting going by the fact that I would also need H1-B filing ?

2.Also, What path do you suggest I take at this point , first to get my 1 year experience for the CPA licence(through the state of New Hampshire) and also to get a full time job in public Accounting?

Thanks guys

[Seth Big 4 Career LAB]

@benj2017 – great questions. First, congratulations on pursuing your MSA and CPA. 🙂

That's good that you were able to get some interviews and got some good feedback. The good news is that firms usually hire the bulk of their staff in the Fall recruiting season. I would say go after both, but be open to targeting smaller firms too. They may be willing to work more with the “lack of office experience”.

@rumimowete – Thanks for the questions! I'm not too sure in regards to the H1-B stuff, James might know a little more about that. I do think that since you have the required hours, you shouldn't pursue your Master's, at least in my opinion.

In regards to getting that 1 year of experience, I would target local CPA firms in NH and go from there. It sounds like you have great experience in the past, so position yourself correctly and you should be able to get a job in public without too much trouble – apart from the H1-B stuff (which may or may not be an issue).

Hope that helps – best of luck to both of y'all!

[rumimowete]

@ seth Big 4- I'm sorry I haven't responded since.Thanks for your suggestions.So just an update ,I have started interviewing for volunteer jobs at medium sized accounting firms just to get my foot in the door and I will take it from there.I intend to look for bigger firms too.thanks

[Seth Big 4 Career LAB]

Sounds like a smart plan! Best of luck to you. 🙂

[Author]

Replies